One of my favorite Fall flavors is Caramel. I want to add it to everything; caramel apples, caramel apple dip, caramel pie, whatever. As I was reaching for a jar of caramel sauce in my fridge, I thought, “I could make this and it would taste better.” I searched through my cookbooks until I found a basic recipe for caramel sauce and then I adapted it to suit our tastes. For those of us who used it on a bowl of ice cream, it was wonderful. Smooth, creamy, and rich with a hint of saltiness. For my son-in-law, Justin, who thought it was the salad dressing I had made and used it on his salad, it wasn’t as good. Live and learn. If you’re ready to serve your family an easy and delicious salted caramel sauce recipe, this recipe is for you!
Salted Caramel Sauce Recipe
For a deep rich caramel taste, I used real butter and dark brown sugar. I tried it with light brown sugar, and while tasty, it didn’t have the rich caramel taste I wanted. Tip: I wanted my homemade caramel sauce to be thicker, so I added some cornstarch. If you prefer a thinner sauce, omit the cornstarch. Did I mention that this caramel sauce is naturally gluten-free so everyone, including the Celiacs in the family, can enjoy it? Plus, it takes only minutes to make!
Printable Recipe
- 1 cup (8 ounces) packed dark brown sugar</span>
- 1/2 cup butter ( 4 ounces), softened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 teaspoons coarse sea salt
- 1/2 cup heavy cream (you can substitute whole milk if you prefer, although the sauce will not be as rich)
- 1 to 2 teaspoons cornstarch, depending on how thick you want your sauce
- Mix brown sugar and butter together in a medium saucepan. Cook over high heat until mixture begins to bubble, but not boil. You will need to stir the mixture often to prevent burning. Reduce heat to medium. Add vanilla, cream, and cornstarch (if desired) and cook, stirring constantly, for five minutes until mixture thickens and turns a rich brown color. Remove from heat and stir in sea salt. Serve immediately or store in fridge until ready to use.
This caramel sauce can be served hot or cold. I like to keep some in an airtight container in my fridge for a treat. We use it with ice cream and to make a delicious caramel apple dip. Just mix a little cream cheese and frozen whipped topping with some caramel sauce. Voila! Instant fruit dip!
What is your favorite Fall dessert?
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Oh wow – I’ve never made caramel sauce before, but this looks amazing! I would love to try making this sometime. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks so much for this recipe. My kids and I love caramel and fresh apples but I always buy the caramel. After reading this recipe I’m thinking this is something they would love to help me make rather than buy it!
This is going to come in handy! I love baking with caramel, and having it on hand would make a huge difference. I need to try this out – it’s such a delicious fall flavor!
I would love to have this drizzled on some vanilla ice cream!! This looks so yummy!!
Yum! I am a huge fan of caramel but haven’t really made it much myself. Would love to give this a try! It looks just delicious!
This is almost just like a recipe I have. I love the sweet and salty together so much. And with dark chocolate.
My daughter just loves caramel. She has braces, so she cannot eat caramels. But I can make this sauce for her!
A caramel apple sounds perfect! Every year I say I’m going to go apple picking, but never make the time. I may be buying my apples from the store, but at least i can make my caramel from scratch.
This looks really good! I can’t wait to enjoy this with my favorite desserts!
Hubby is a big fan of caramel and would really enjoy this. I’ve had homemade caramel but never with salt, I love how simple it is to make!
Caramel is my favorite! This looks so incredible, and I never thought about being gluten free. That is perfect! I will have to make some of this sauce for the holidays.
Man this looks really good. I can only imagine how good it would taste on an apple as a candied apple. You can never go wrong with caramel!
Caramel is my absolute favorite! This recipe is going to come in super handy for all of our apples!
Caramel is seriously one of my favorite things ever! Thank you for sharing this easy and delicious recipe!
I’m already dreaming up all of the goodies I’d dump this over. No, not sprinkle, I’ll dump a big heaping over my dish 😉 Looks so tasty!
OMG. That salted caramel sauce looks sinful! Haha. I wish there was a sugar free version of it. However, I will still make some and have just a little on my vanilla ice cream. Or maybe I can make a lot and give them as gifts on Thanksgiving. 🙂
I was literally just talking with a friend the other day about the best way to make this. Love this recipe! Handy!
This sounds so delicious. It would make an incredible gift too.
I love caramel and would make it as often as I can. This sauce is definitely a keeper and I can’t wait to make it, perfect for the season!
I have never made sauces before. This sounds yummy and perfect to top many different treats. Yum.
Oh my this salted caramel sauce recipe looks so delicious and easy to make. I will have to get the ingredients I need to make some this weekend.
Wow I love salted caramel coffee and salted caramel desserts. This sauce would be perfect to have on hand for a flavor boost!
Salted caramel is my weakness! I usually buy it but I might have to try making it from scratch now! Thank you for the recipe!
This is awesome! I could use this in so many different desserts and treats. I’ll have to try this out!
The things I would dip into this! I love the idea of making up this salted caramel sauce recipe. I know that apples come to mind as something to dip in it!
Yum! This sauce is what dreams are made of, as I am already imagining all of the many ways it can be enjoyed. I think I would start by drizzling some over my french toast.
I am with you – give me all the caramel. It’s awesome on so many things! This sauce sounds SO good.
I love salted caramel anything. This sauce would not last long in my house, thankfully it is easy to make.
I’ve been loving the salted caramel flavor lately because of the mix of sweet and a tinge of sourness. This can really be a tasty sauce for all around use. – Franc
I love dipping apple slices in caramel! I love this easy recipe! I might see some apple dipping in the near future!
Anything having to do with apples or pecans ranks high on my Fall food favorites.
I’ve never added corn starch to my homemade caramel but it’s an ideal thickening agent. I can’t wait to try your recipe.
I love caramel and this looks dangerously delish! May have to try it with the caramel apple gifts that I often do at this time of year!
I love caramel!! I could eat this by the school and not even put it over any ice cream or anything else. This could be so dangerous for me but I like to live on the dangerous side of life LOL. I can’t wait to make it.
Oh yes, I love a good caramel sauce. I enjoy dipping fruit in it, or putting it over ice cream. So delicious!
Time to start making those sauce recipes to add to the different gift baskets that will be going out the door full of goodies to be enjoyed.
Yummo! I have to make some of this! We all love caramel sauce on our ice cream and with apples at my house, and I love the idea of making my own!
That sounds so, so good! I can see putting this over ice cream or using it in all kinds of desserts. I think it’s the perfect sauce for the holidays.
I’ve been making my own caramel sauce for years and it’s so much better than store bought. Your recipe is a little different from mine and I’m looking forward to trying it soon. I love that it’s a salted caramel sauce.