Caramel Sauce Recipe

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The easiest, tastiest stovetop Caramel Sauce Recipe with only six ingredients and no special equipment (or candy thermometer) required!

Bowl of Caramel Sauce ready to be enjoyed.

Why We Love This Caramel Sauce Recipe

  1. Works with Anything: Goes well on desserts or fruit.
  2. Easy to Make: Simple recipe, no special equipment required.
  3. Delicious: Sweet, balanced taste with a hint of vanilla and sea salt.
  4. Customizable: Adjustable salt level for desired sweetness.
  5. Good for Anytime: Perfect for parties or just everyday snacks.

Combine ingredients in a saucepan; melt and boil for 2 minutes; add in vanilla and salt; stir to combine.

Ingredients

  • Butter: Provides a rich, creamy base.
  • Brown Sugar: Fresh, clump-free light or dark brown sugar adds sweetness.
  • Sweetened Condensed Milk: Adds sweetness and smooth texture to this caramel sauce recipe.
  • Light Corn Syrup: Adds sweetness, helping to balance out the flavors.
  • Fine Sea Salt: Adjust to taste; differs from table salt.
  • Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor.

The recipe right after cooking and 10 minutes later; serving with optional toffee garnish; dipping apples into the sauce.

How To Make Caramel Sauce

  1. Combine: Mix butter, brown sugar, corn syrup, and condensed milk in a pot.
  2. Melt & Boil: Stir until melted, then boil for 2 minutes.
  3. Cool & Season: Cool slightly, add vanilla and salt.
  4. Serve: Thicken for 10 minutes, serve with toppings.
  5. Store: Refrigerate in airtight container; reheat as needed.

Caramel Sauce in a bowl.

How To Enjoy This Caramel Sauce Recipe

The sky is the limit here! There are so many delicious things to dip in Caramel Sauce, and below are some of our favorites:

Caramel Sauce with an apple slice being dipped in.

STORAGE

  • Refrigerate: Store your caramel sauce recipe in an airtight container.
  • Shelf Life: Lasts up to 5 days.
  • Reheat: Warm in a pan or microwave, thin with cream or milk if needed.

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Caramel Sauce Recipe

5 from 3 votes
The easiest, tastiest stovetop Caramel Sauce Recipe with only six ingredients and no special equipment (or candy thermometer) required!
Print Recipe

Caramel Sauce Recipe

5 from 3 votes
The easiest, tastiest stovetop Caramel Sauce Recipe with only six ingredients and no special equipment (or candy thermometer) required!
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Keyword caramel sauce recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Chilling Time 10 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 6 -8 with dippers
Chelsea Lords
Calories 406kcal
Cost $3.48

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter
  • 1 cup light brown sugar packed
  • 1 cup light corn syrup (like Karo)
  • 1 can (14 oz.) regular sweetened condensed milk (not fat free)
  • 1/2 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt (add to taste preference)
  • Optional: crushed toffee candy
  • Serving suggestions: See Note 1

Instructions

  • COMBINE. Mix butter, brown sugar, corn syrup, and sweetened condensed milk in a medium pot on medium heat.
  • MELT. Stir constantly until butter is melted and ingredients are completely combined.
  • BOIL. Bring mixture to a boil and boil for 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Immediately remove from heat.
  • COOL. Let mixture cool for about 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, and then add in vanilla and salt to taste. Add salt gradually. (Not all salts will salt this sauce the same. Add more for a salted caramel sauce and less to season sauce.)
  • SERVE. Let sauce thicken for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, and then serve by transferring caramel to a bowl, topping with optional crushed toffee candy, and your choice of dippers. (Note 1)
  • STORAGE: Store remaining sauce in an airtight container in fridge for up to 5 days; however, it doesn't freeze well. To reheat, warm in a small pan over low heat until heated through, or microwave in short bursts. If sauce is too thick, gradually add heavy cream or milk to thin it slightly.

Video

Recipe Notes

Note 1: Here are some tasty treats to dip in the caramel sauce:
  • Apples: Granny Smith, Fuji, and Honeycrisp are great choices. You can also try making apple nachos by drizzling sauce over thinly sliced apples and adding crushed toffee bits.
  • Bananas: Make sure they're not too ripe or they'll fall apart. Dip them in the sauce, then in melted dark chocolate, and top with crushed nuts before freezing.
  • Other treats: Cubed Rice Krispie Treats, brownie bites, large marshmallows, and pretzels.
  • Packaged cookies: Oreos, Nutter Butters, Pirouettes, Milanos, Girl Scout Cookies, Graham crackers, and chocolate Graham crackers.
Nutritional information does not include the optional toffee bits.

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 406kcal | Carbohydrates: 69g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 42mg | Sodium: 232mg | Potassium: 52mg | Sugar: 69g | Vitamin A: 493IU | Calcium: 43mg | Iron: 1mg

We do our best to provide accurate nutritional analysis for our recipes. Our nutritional data is calculated using a third-party algorithm and may vary, based on individual cooking styles, measurements, and ingredient sizes. Please use this information for comparison purposes and consult a health professional for nutrition guidance as needed.

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5 Comments

  1. How much will this receipt make
    I would like to get about 4 1/2
    Pints I can figure it out if you can tell me how much one batch makes ?
    I am talking about the Caramel
    Sauce thank

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