Caramel Sauce

Homemade Caramel Sauce is a decadent treat that’s surprisingly easy to make. You can create a rich, velvety caramel sauce perfect for drizzling over ice cream or dipping fresh apples with just a few simple ingredients. Whether topping a sundae, dressing up a slice of apple pie, or simply enjoying it by the spoonful, this hot caramel will surely become a favorite indulgence.

I brought this Caramel Sauce over to my parents’ house, and my niece, Avery, told me that it was the best she had ever tasted—even better than Dairy Queen! I have to agree. It’s one of my favorite desserts. This luscious, silky-smooth sauce is rich and flavourful. You need to have it on your ice cream sundaes this summer!

I’ve always preferred caramel over chocolate. There’s no question in my mind. I’ll pick caramel sauce any day of the week. Homemade caramel sauce is so much better than store-bought. It has an old-fashioned taste that goes down so easily on whatever dessert you put it on. Once you make your own caramel sauce, you may never want to buy the packaged stuff again!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• No candy thermometer is required
• Super easy recipe with real ingredients
• It can be used in a variety of recipes
• The most delicious caramel sauce you’ll ever try
• Perfect topping for ice cream, pies and cakes
• Ready in under 1 hour
• Only a 10-minute cooking time

Ingredients

The full printable recipe card with measurements and instructions is found at the bottom of the post.

• Light corn syrup
• Brown sugar – You can use either dark or light brown sugar, depending on how deep of a color you want the caramel to be.
• Salted butter
• Heavy whipping cream – This adds the creaminess.

How to Make Caramel Sauce

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Follow along to learn how to make caramel sauce!

• Step One: Add corn syrup, brown sugar, and butter to a medium saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring constantly. Heat until the mixture starts to boil, then boil for 5 minutes.
• Step Two: Stir in whipping cream and heat until it boils. 

• Step Three: Remove from heat and let cool for 30 minutes. Serve warm.

​How to Serve

There are SO many ways to use this amazing caramel recipe.

• Use as a sundae syrup for sundaes or as an ice cream topping on a bowl of vanilla ice cream.
• Drizzle on top of apple crisp.
• Dip for apple slices.
• Make a caramel apple pie.
• ​Skip the drive-thru and make a homemade caramel macchiato. Pour on top of cinnamon rolls.
• Grab a spoon and eat right from the jar (I won’t judge!)

Variations and Substitutions

• Use unsalted butter instead of salted butter.
• Substitute white sugar or raw cane sugar for the brown sugar.
• Instead of the heavy whipping cream, try whole milk, heavy cream, or even coconut milk.
• Add some flavorings like vanilla extract, regular table salt, sea salt, coarse kosher salt, or cinnamon.
• ​Try maple syrup, honey, or agave syrup instead of corn syrup.

Storage Instructions

Store the homemade caramel in an airtight container or mason jar in the refrigerator for up to one month. I reheat my caramel sauce in the microwave to loosen it up before serving. It makes pouring so much easier.

​Can I Freeze?

Yes, you can freeze homemade caramel sauce. Store it in a freezer bag for up to 3 months. There may be some texture changes, and it won’t be as silky smooth as freshly made. It will still taste good, though!

Let the caramel sauce cool to room temperature first. Then, pour it into the freezer bag, making sure to leave some room at the top for expansion. 

Another option is freezing the caramel sauce in ice cube trays or silicone molds for smaller portions.

​When you want to eat, thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Reheat in a saucepan on low heat or in the microwave. 

​Recipe Tips and Tricks

• Use a heavy-bottomed saucepan. It will heat more evenly so the mixture won’t burn.
• Be patient. Don’t be tempted to turn the heat up, or it could burn.
• Pay close attention. This isn’t a recipe you can walk away from.
• Stir constantly. Keep the mixture moving!
• If you want a darker caramel, use dark brown sugar.
• Let it cool for the full 30 minutes. As the caramel cools, it will thicken up.
• Be careful! Caramel is very hot.

Can I Use It for Caramel Apples?

Unfortunately, no. It’s good for dipping apples, but not the proper caramel, which will stick to them.

How to Fix Seized Caramel?

If you notice that your caramel has seized, immediately remove it from the heat. Add hot water, a tablespoonful at a time, while whisking to break up the sugar. Then heat gently over low heat, stirring constantly, until smooth again.

FAQ

Caramel Recipes

• Caramel Rice Krispie Bars
• Caramel Banana Muffins
• Caramel Apple Grilled Cheese Sandwich
• Caramel Apple Cookies
• Copycat Taco Bell Air Fryer Caramel Apple Empanadas

Try this Butterscotch Sauce, Hot Fudge Sauce, Instant Pot Dulce de Leche, and Peanut Butter Magic Shell.

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