Description
Sweet caramel sauce brings silky richness to desserts worldwide, elevating simple treats with golden, amber-hued magic. Drizzled over ice cream or blended into baking, this simple syrup delivers pure culinary indulgence you cannot resist.
Ingredients
Scale
Dairy
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
Salt and Flavor Enhancers
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Optional Additions
- 2 tbsp water
Instructions
- Position a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat and carefully spread granulated sugar evenly across the bottom.
- Allow sugar to gradually melt without stirring, watching closely as it transforms from white to golden amber, approximately 6-8 minutes.
- Once sugar reaches a deep amber color, carefully and slowly pour in water to prevent splattering, which will help prevent crystallization.
- Gently swirl the pan to incorporate water and prevent sugar from burning, maintaining a consistent amber hue.
- Reduce heat to low and slowly stream in heavy cream, stirring continuously with a wooden spoon or silicone whisk to prevent scorching.
- The mixture will bubble vigorously, so continue stirring until it settles and becomes smooth and uniform in color.
- Add unsalted butter and stir until completely melted and integrated into the caramel sauce.
- Remove from heat and incorporate sea salt and vanilla extract, stirring until thoroughly blended.
- Allow sauce to cool for 10-15 minutes at room temperature, during which it will thicken slightly.
- Transfer to a clean glass jar and refrigerate. The sauce will continue to thicken as it cools completely.
Notes
- Use a heavy-bottomed pan to distribute heat evenly and prevent burning, ensuring smooth caramelization without scorching the sugar.
- Watch the sugar closely during melting, as it can quickly transition from golden to burnt, requiring constant visual monitoring.
- Avoid stirring sugar while it melts, allowing natural color transformation and preventing unwanted crystallization during the caramelization process.
- Add water and cream slowly to prevent dangerous hot sugar splatters, maintaining a safe cooking environment while creating a silky-smooth sauce.
- Prep Time: 0 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2
- Calories: 432
- Sugar: 54 g
- Sodium: 116 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 57 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 78 mg