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Close-up of whisk coated in homemade salted caramel sauce with glossy texture

Salted Caramel Sauce (Easy, Rich & Buttery Recipe)

4 from 2 votes
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 17 minutes
Servings 20 tablespoons
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Calories 1461
Make the best salted caramel sauce at home in just 15 minutes! This easy recipe uses 5 simple ingredients for a rich, buttery caramel that’s smooth, sweet, and perfectly salty. Makes about 1 ¼ cups.

Ingredients

  • ¾ cup granulated white sugar
  • 3 tbsp water
  • cup heavy cream, warmed
  • 6 tbsp salted butter, cut into cubes (unsalted butter works too)
  • ½ tsp sea salt adjust to taste
  • 1 tsp vanilla bean paste or extract

Instructions

  • In a medium heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine the water and sugar. Gently swirl the pan so all the sugar is moistened — but don’t stir. Place over medium heat and cook until the sugar dissolves.
  • Increase the heat to medium-high and let the mixture bubble away until it turns a deep golden amber color. Watch carefully — caramel can go from perfect to burnt in seconds.
  • Remove the pan from the heat and slowly pour in the warm cream while whisking. The mixture will bubble violently, so take your time.
  • If you need to place the pan back over low heat, then whisk in the butter a few cubes at a time until fully melted and smooth. Remove from heat and stir in the salt and vanilla.
  • Let the caramel cool for 10–15 minutes, then pour into a heatproof jar or container. It will thicken as it cools.

Video

Notes

  • Storage: Store in an airtight jar in the fridge for up to 3 weeks. Rewarm in the microwave (10–15 seconds) or on the stove over low heat until pourable.
  • Freezing: Caramel sauce freezes beautifully! Freeze in a sealed container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently.
  • Uses: Drizzle over cakes, swirl into brownies, top ice cream, or stir into coffee.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
Salted Caramel Sauce (Easy, Rich & Buttery Recipe)
Amount per Serving
Calories
1461
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
97
g
149
%
Saturated Fat
 
61
g
381
%
Trans Fat
 
3
g
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
4
g
Monounsaturated Fat
 
25
g
Cholesterol
 
270
mg
90
%
Sodium
 
1728
mg
75
%
Potassium
 
105
mg
3
%
Carbohydrates
 
152
g
51
%
Sugar
 
153
g
170
%
Protein
 
3
g
6
%
Vitamin A
 
3265
IU
65
%
Vitamin C
 
0.5
mg
1
%
Calcium
 
77
mg
8
%
Iron
 
0.2
mg
1
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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