Homemade caramel sauce recipe

Last Updated on December 29, 2023 by Michele Tripple

This post contains affiliate links. If you click and buy we may make a commission, at no additional charge to you. Please see our disclosure for more details.

Calling all the caramel lovers! This sweet homemade caramel sauce is ready in under 15 minutes and absolutely divine. Try the recipe today!

The Best Homemade Caramel Sauce

I’m so excited about this recipe! Caramel is one of my favorite flavors, and I could swim in this caramel sauce!

It’s luxurious and smooth and perfect for any dessert. Plus, it’s just a few ingredients and ready in less than 15 minutes. You really can’t go wrong with this recipe. 

Image of the caramel in a small jar.

How to Serve Caramel Sauce

Caramel Sauce isn’t just for ice cream, although this does taste delicious over a sundae. 

You can also serve this over brownies, cakes, or just about any other sweet treat. Can you imagine this caramel sauce on top of apple dumplings? Yum!

Speaking of apples, I also love putting a little bit of this caramel sauce out during parties and game nights with some apples and crushed nuts. It’s the perfect little treat to share. 

Caramel Sauce Recipe

Makes: 2 ½ cups

Prep time: 2 minutes

Cook time: 10 minutes

Total time: 12 minutes

Ingredients for Caramel Sauce

  • 2 cups light brown sugar, packed
  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream
  • ½ cup butter, unsalted
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • 2 Tbsp. vanilla extract 

Medium saucepan

Wooden Spoon

Lidded Jar

How to Make this Caramel Sauce Recipe

  • To make your caramel sauce, grab a saucepan and place it over medium-high heat.
  • In the saucepans, combine the brown sugar, butter, salt, and heavy whipping cream. 
  • While stirring constantly, bring the mixture to a boil. Continue stirring and let the sauce boil for 5-7 minutes or until it thickens.
  • Remove your caramel sauce from the heat and add in the vanilla extract. 
  • Give your sauce another stir and let it cool slightly in the pan.
  • After a few minutes of cooling, pour the sauce into a jar or similar container to either eat or store. 
Small jar of caramel sauce with a wooden spoon and apples.

Tips Tricks and FAQs

  • Don’t step away from your pan! I know it’s tempting to step away just for a minute, but caramel can burn so easily. You’ll want to stick with it while it boils to make sure no sticking or burning happens. 

What’s the difference between heavy whipping cream and regular whipping cream?

If you are wondering if you really need “heavy” whipping cream, the answer is yes! 

The main difference between the two is the amount of milk fat. If you want a rich and smooth caramel sauce, then you want the fat content of heavy whipping cream for this recipe. 

Storage

Fridge

This homemade caramel sauce will last about 2 weeks if it’s kept in the fridge in an airtight container. 

Check out these other great sweet recipes:

Love what you see? Leave a comment and don’t forget to rate it below! We always love knowing how your recipe turns out! Don’t forget to tag me on Instagram @micheletripple to show me your finished product!

Yield: 2 1/2 cups

Caramel Sauce

mini pie sitting on a plate with ice cream and caramel sauce

Calling all the caramel lovers! This sweet homemade caramel sauce is ready in under 15 minutes and absolutely divine. Try the recipe today!

Prep Time 2 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 12 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 cups light brown sugar, packed
  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream
  • ½ cup butter, unsalted
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • 2 Tbsp. vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. To make your caramel sauce, grab a saucepan and place it over medium-high heat.
  2. In the saucepans, combine the brown sugar, butter, salt, and heavy whipping cream. 
  3. While stirring constantly, bring the mixture to a boil. Continue stirring and let the sauce boil for 5-7 minutes or until it thickens.
  4. Remove your caramel sauce from the heat and add in the vanilla extract. 
  5. Give your sauce another stir and let it cool slightly in the pan.
  6. After a few minutes of cooling, pour the sauce into a jar or similar container to either eat or store. 

4 thoughts on “Homemade caramel sauce recipe”

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Skip to Recipe