Experience the rich, velvety texture of homemade caramel sauce with this easy recipe. Perfect for drizzling over desserts or enjoying on its own, this caramel sauce will elevate any treat.

It took me a little while to perfect my homemade caramel sauce, but once I did, there was no turning back to store-bought caramel.

This simple recipe is a game changer! Once you get the hang of it, you'll find that it only takes about five minutes to whip up the most delightful caramel sauce you’ve ever tasted—way better than anything from a jar and free from preservatives.

This caramel sauce is perfect for topping my homemade no-churn apple pie ice cream, drizzling over brownies, making a salted caramel milkshake, or even just enjoying straight from the spoon.

Is Caramel Hard to Make?

Making your own caramel sauce might seem a bit daunting, but trust me, it’s not as tricky as it seems! My twelve-year-old can do it, and so can you.

To ensure your caramel turns out perfectly without burning, keep a close eye on it during those ten minutes of cooking. And the best part? You don’t need a candy thermometer! Just let your eyes and nose guide you.

Here are a few tips for success:

• Make sure all your ingredients are at room temperature before combining them.
• The darker the sugar, the richer the caramel will be. I find a medium amber color is just right.
• Use a large pan to avoid any bubbling over when you add butter to the sugar.
• Add the salt immediately after mixing in the butter, cream, and vanilla.

Ingredients for the Best Caramel Sauce

This easy recipe requires just a few ingredients. You can find the full recipe at the bottom of the post!

Sugar: I typically use organic cane sugar, but light or dark brown sugar works too. Each type of sugar will bring a slightly different color and flavor to your caramel.

Unsalted Butter: Using salted butter can make the caramel too salty, even if you skip the added salt. Stick with unsalted butter for the best results.

Heavy Cream: You can also use goat's milk for a slightly different texture. It will be a bit runnier at first but thickens as it cools.

Sea Salt: Flaky kosher salt works beautifully. While optional, I highly recommend it for that perfect salted caramel flavor.

Vanilla Extract: Adds a lovely touch of flavor, though it’s optional.

How to Make This Easy Caramel Sauce Recipe

Caramelizing sugar might seem intimidating, but it’s easier than you think! I use the dry method—heating sugar directly in the pan without added water—for the best flavor.

Add granulated sugar to a 2-quart saucepan and warm over medium heat. Stir constantly with a silicon whisk or wooden spoon, scraping the sides of the pan as the sugar begins to melt.

The sugar will clump at first, but keep stirring until it becomes smooth. Once it starts to dissolve, reduce the heat to medium-low and continue cooking until the sugar turns a deep amber color, similar to honey.

Carefully add the butter to the caramelized sugar. It will bubble up, so keep whisking to prevent overflow until it’s well combined.

Remove from heat and slowly stir in the heavy cream and vanilla until fully incorporated.

Immediately stir in the salt.

Allow the caramel to cool for ten minutes before transferring it to a glass jar.

Can you use this caramel sauce for caramel apples?

This caramel sauce is not quite thick enough for caramel apples, but it's perfect for dipping apple slices. Trust me, it’s delicious!

Storing Caramel Sauce

This caramel needs to be refrigerated as it’s not shelf-stable. Once it cools to room temperature, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a month, or freeze it for up to three months. It will thicken when refrigerated, so simply warm it up in the microwave or on the stove when you’re ready to use it.

How to Use Caramel Sauce

How to Use Caramel Sauce

• Drizzled over vanilla ice cream
• Stirred into your morning coffee
• As a topping for caramel apple pie
• In a caramel latte
• Over brownies or chocolate cake
• In a caramel apple cider float

If you try this delicious, homemade, salted caramel sauce, I’d love to hear about it in the comment section below! Also, I’d love if you would leave me a recipe review on the recipe card below and tag me on Instagram with your recipe creations @therusticelk!

Other Fall Recipes to Try:

• Perfect Homemade Pumpkin Pie Recipe
• Canning Apple Pie Filling | How to Can Homemade Apple Pie
• Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes With Cream Cheese Frosting