Description
This classic caramel sauce recipe creates a rich, buttery, and creamy topping perfect for desserts, ice cream, and more. Made with just sugar, salted butter, and heavy cream, it’s a simple yet indulgent treat that you can prepare quickly on the stovetop.
Ingredients
Scale
Ingredients
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 6 tablespoons salted butter, room temperature
- ½ cup heavy cream, room temperature
Instructions
- Cook Sugar: In a medium heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat, add the granulated sugar and stir constantly. Be careful not to burn it. The sugar will gradually melt and take on an amber color, which can take about 10 to 15 minutes.
- Add Butter: Once the sugar is fully melted and amber-colored, add the room temperature salted butter. Whisk constantly until the butter is completely melted and incorporated. The mixture will bubble up during this step; if the butter separates, remove the pan from the heat and keep whisking until it combines again.
- Add Heavy Cream: Slowly drizzle in the room temperature heavy cream while stirring continuously. After combining, let the sauce simmer for 1 more minute to thicken slightly.
- Cool and Thicken: Remove the sauce from heat and allow it to cool. It will thicken further as it cools. The caramel sauce can be enjoyed warm or cold according to your preference.
Notes
- Use room temperature butter and cream to prevent the mixture from seizing.
- Stir sugar constantly to avoid burning and ensure even melting.
- If the caramel hardens or crystallizes, gently reheat it and whisk until smooth.
- Store leftover caramel sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
- Reheat gently before use by warming in a microwave or on the stove over low heat.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: caramel sauce, homemade caramel, dessert sauce, easy caramel, stovetop caramel
