Easy Salted Caramel Sauce

If you need salted caramel in a pinch, do not fret! This easy salted caramel sauce recipe is just what you need. And, guess what? It is made from only four ingredients. Why is this recipe so easy?

Firstly, this easy caramel sauce recipe uses brown sugar. Brown sugar is processed considerably less than white sugar which means it has more impurities. This also means that it melts and burns at a much lesser rate than white sugar. For this reason, white sugar cannot be substituted for brown sugar in this recipe.

Secondly, all of the ingredients {except for the salt} are incorporated together upon the first step. In a classic sauce procedure, the sugar is cooked until dissolved before adding the cream and butter.

Ingredients and Substitutions

• Light Brown Sugar (packed) – As discussed above, this recipe uses light brown sugar which is much less likely to burn than white sugar. It also assists in adding a lovely flavor to this salted caramel sauce recipe. For a darker-colored caramel, use dark brown sugar.
• Heavy Whipping Cream – You cannot have caramel sauce without the cream. Only a small amount is needed for this recipe.
• Unsalted Butter – Unless you like your caramel sauce extra salty, make sure to use unsalted butter.
• Coarse Sea Salt – If you do not have coarse sea salt on hand, use fleur de sel. If using a fine grain sea salt, start with a ½ teaspoon. Taste the caramel (careful, it’s hot) before adding more.

How to Make Easy Salted Caramel Sauce

Can we call this a cheater’s caramel sauce? We certainly can, but it doesn’t make this recipe any less tasty. In fact, its ease of process makes this caramel that much more delicious!

Place the brown sugar, butter, and heavy cream into a small saucepan. Over medium-low heat, bring the mixture to a boil, stirring constantly. Boil for approximately 1 to 2 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the salt.

Allow the mixture to cool and thicken before using.

*This salted caramel thickens as it cools, so it may appear thinner immediately after cooking.

Tips for Success

1. Be sure to stir constantly, this cooking process happens fast. *Do not walk away from the saucepan to avoid burning the sugar.
2. Cut the butter into small cubes for even and quick melting.
3. Vanilla extract adds a lovely addition of flavor. Add a ½ tsp along with the salt.
4. Make sure to use a heat-safe tool when stirring this sauce. It does become hot in temperature, especially when boiling.

What to Serve with Salted Caramel

This sauce is delicious with almost any dessert, but it is also a yummy option alongside breakfast too. What does salted caramel sauce go with? Here are a few of my favorite things to serve it with.

• Ice Cream – Serve as a topping for an ice cream sundae or swirl this caramel into homemade ice cream, like this No Churn Cookies and Cream Ice Cream.
• Brownies – Of course, salted caramel sauce is DELICIOUS with chocolate. So, it only makes sense to pair this salty-sweet condiment with dense, fudgy brownies.
• Cake – Whether dripped over the frosted cake or folded in with the frosting, this caramel is delightful with chocolate or yellow cake.
• Breakfast – Drizzle this sweet and salty sauce over pancakes, French toast, crepes, or waffles. Finish it off with whipped cream for the ultimate breakfast treat.
• Cheesecake – Spoon this caramel over cooled cheesecake, before or after slicing.

Frequently Asked Questions

How should I store caramel sauce? How long with it keep?After the caramel has cooled completely, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

Can you reheat homemade caramel sauce?Place the caramel sauce in a microwave-safe dish. Heat, on high power, in 30-second increments until warm.

Can you freeze homemade salted caramel sauce?Yes, you can freeze homemade caramel sauce. Transfer the completely cooled sauce to an airtight container. Freeze for up to 3 months. Defrost the sauce in the refrigerator overnight.

Why is my caramel sauce bitter?While difficult to do in a brown sugar caramel sauce recipe, you have burnt your sugar. Add a splash of cream to quickly cool the sauce. This will help stop the caramelization process.

Whether you are in dire need or you just have a craving for caramel, add this easy salted caramel sauce to your recipe book. It is as equally delicious (if not more so) as the classic white sugar version, but without all the worry about burning or crystallizing the sugar. Pair this homemade caramel with your favorite dessert and enjoy its delectable sweet and salty flavor!

DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE? Please leave a star rating and review on my website!