Easy, 6 ingredient recipe for the best caramel sauce recipe ever! Who doesn’t absolutely LOVE a good caramel sauce?! Have you ever tried making your own at home? Making your own caramel sauce is super easy! And once you try it, you’ll never go back to the bottled variety. It’s perfect for drizzling over everything – coffee drinks, cakes and desserts.
This recipe is part of my ‘Back to Cake Basics’ series, where I share simple cake, frosting and filling recipes. Make sure to check out the entire collection!
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How To Make Caramel Sauce
Ahh, I could eat my screen right now! That little drizzle of caramel sauce going down the side of the jar looks so good! I used to make home made caramel sauce all the time when I was just a kid experimenting in the kitchen – it’s that easy! Here are a few tips to make perfect caramel:
- DO NOT STIR! Just one simple rule that can make or break your recipe! If you ever get a grainy, sandy type of caramel sauce, that means the sugar didn’t melt equally as it was cooking. Once you mix together the sugar and water, don’t stir the mixture; just let it cook away. Also, try to use a saucepan that isn’t too big or too small for the mixture.
- Cook over medium heat, allowing the sugar to melt uniformly.
- Cook until the sugar caramelizes into a rich, brown color. The darker the color, the more intense the flavor. But be careful not to burn the caramel – no one likes burnt caramel!
- Add the vanilla and butter last, ensuring that the vanilla flavor doesn’t get cooked out of the sauce.
- Keep the ready sauce covered with plastic wrap so a film doesn’t form on top.
Salted Caramel Frosting
I love to use my homemade caramel sauce for my ‘Salted Caramel Buttercream’ in place of dulce de leche. I make the sauce the night before, then refrigerate it overnight. It thickens up nicely and can be used as a spread or for the frosting recipe!
More Recipes!
Enjoyed my recipe for caramel sauce? Check out some of my other recipes you’re sure to enjoy!
- Easy Lemon Curd – perfect for filling any dessert and so easy to make!
- Vanilla Pastry Cream – a classic recipe that’s great for filling tarts and pastries!
- Orange Cranberry Sauce – not just for Thanksgiving! This sauce is great for cakes as a filling!
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Need some supplies to make this recipe? You can get them here (Amazon affiliate links):
Here’s a similar stainless steel pot to the one I always use – so convenient!
I love this sturdy All-Clad whisk – gets the job done well!
If you ever need an extra burner, this is the one I use in all my videos.
And these cute mason jars are great for storing the caramel!
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I have made many of your recipes and have loved them all. Tried this Caramel sauce twice and didn’t turn out either time. NOT AN EASY RECIPE. I don’t think I will waste anymore sugar, butter, and cream. first time overcooked/burned. next under cooked. difficult to get the right amber before butter/cream step. disappointed.
So sorry this recipe didn’t work for you!
Mine didn’t work either, not happy. Came out very gritty
Oh, no! So sorry that it turns gritty! Usually means the sugar somehow separated 🙁
How do you store the caramel?
I recommend placing it into a glass jar and keep it refrigerator for longer shelf life. It will be okay at room temperature for a few days.
Hi how long can we keep in the refrigerator?
Hi! This will keep well for up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator. Enjoy!
I have a ceramic stove, and I am doing this recipe at the 4 level for cooking. The first time it came out perfectly. The last two times it is not turning amber colored and the sugar is crystallizing into little pellets. I am not stirring and cooking it 15-20 minutes. Any suggestions?
Hmm, sorry about that! It could be many things, from stirring to old sugar to not enough water. I’ve had that happen many times, too. Try adding a tablespoon of light corn syrup to help stabilize the sugar
Thants dear tatyana , i made the caramel sause, & it was perfect, love you so much?
Wonderful! So glad you enjoyed it!: )
Amazing recipe!!! Turned out from the first try! Will definitely be making it again and again! my favorite caramel sauce recipe. Thanks Tatyana!
Awesome! 🙂 I’m so glad you enjoyed it! 🙂
I’d love to use this recipe as filling for cupcakes – do you think it would be better to do that at the room temp consistency, or refrigerated? Will it work if you don’t make it as dark of an amber color in the pan? Thanks!
Hi! 🙂 Yes, this would be perfect as a filling for cupcakes. I would try it first with room temp sauce since it will flow easier. And the color/richness of the sauce is also adjustable; a lighter color will work just fine. I recommend having the cream and butter at room temperature, too 🙂 Enjoy!
Sorry, 1 more question! Should the butter and cream be room temperature?
Great recipe, thank you! It was enough to cover and drizzle two cakes. I had zero issues making it, and really enjoyed the flavor. To those using real vanilla extract vs imitation, I suggest using only 1 tspn, as the vanilla flavor can become overwhelming- though of course, it’s a matter of personal preference.
So glad you enjoyed the recipe! 🙂
I have just made this in preparation to make your Layered, Caramel Pumpkin Cheesecake for Thanksgiving. It took 2 tries to get the color right – I slightly burned the first batch and it was too bitter! The syrup actually started to brown in one spot, not uniformly. So it’s understandable how one area could burn before the rest of it is done. The second try is fine, truly delicious. I need to hide this overnight from my son or it will be gone before I make that Cheesecake tomorrow. Wish me luck, and thanks Tatyana. I look forward to trying more of your recipes!
I’m so glad the second time around worked better! I think it might have something to do with the stove type, too. Happy Thanksgiving! 🙂
The 1st time I made your caramel sauce it came out perfect!! This is now my go to caramel sauce. Sooo easy and absolutely delicious! I love this sauce?
I’m so glad to hear that! 🙂 Enjoy!
If I wanted to make this into a salted caramel sauce, is it going to change the flavor or consistency much if I use a bit more sea salt instead of salted butter?
Hi! You do need to add the butter, salted or unsalted, but you can absolutely add additional salt to the recipe! 🙂
Recipe was a success the first try, absolutely delicious and easy. Will make again and again
Wonderful!! 🙂 So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Enjoy!