4-Ingredient Salted Caramel Sauce

Homemade Salted Caramel Sauce

Some people are natural caramel lovers. They were born with an affection for all things caramel.

I’m not one of those people. But then I tried this homemade caramel sauce; it was a complete game changer. This caramel sauce recipe will open up a whole new world for self proclaimed non-caramel-eaters. Even the fancy brands of store-bought caramel sauce do not even come close.

Through the years, we’ve made countless batches of too-good caramel popcorn that we love to share or package into edible gifts.

Everything is better with Homemade Caramel Sauce: ice cream, cake, pie, popcorn, apples… all the desserts.

Salted Caramel Sauce Recipe In Action

Our caramel sauce is super easy to make, but it helps to watch this video before starting up. 👆🏽

4 Ingredients for The Best Caramel Sauce

You only need four things. You probably already have these 4 things in your kitchen right now.

• Sugar
• Butter
• Cream
• Salt

Flaky sea salt is best here, but you can use coarse kosher salt in a pinch. Do not use regular table salt, as table salt measures differently by volume, and would be way too salty. Stick with coarse, flaky salt.

Caramel Sauce Recipe Tips for Success

• A candy thermometer or other kitchen thermometer is an essential tool. It allows you to be precise and avoid burnt caramel that nobody’s a fan of. You’ll also come to realize that a candy thermometer is a handy tool to have in your kitchen beyond caramel. 
• Be sure to whisk sugar until all bits of sugar are dissolved; this is important for a velvety smooth caramel sauce.
• In fact, whisking is the name of the game with homemade caramel sauce. Keep whisking at all stages, to ensure your caramel is smooth and doesn’t burn.
• Your golden caramel sauce will come together rather quickly, so before you know it, you’ll have a beautiful jar of Salted Caramel Sauce to keep in the fridge for favorite ice cream recipes or caramel popcorn.
• Make big batches of caramel sauce and place them in mason jars for gifting. These are ridiculously awesome food gifts that keep really well in the fridge. 

Homemade Caramel Sauce vs. store-bought

• Store-bought caramel sauce often contains high fructose corn syrup, preservatives, and food coloring. Homemade caramel sauce only contains 4 pure, basic ingredients and nothing artificial.

• Nothing matches the depth of flavor that homemade caramel sauce provides. Once the buttery aroma of this caramel sauce wafts through the air, you’ll experience the difference and never want to buy a jar of caramel sauce at the store again.

• Drizzle this wondrous caramel over whatever you desire. Jar the rest and keep it in the fridge – caramel can last a long time when chilled airtight, but chances are it’ll be gone before you know it.

• Bonus tip: be prepared for all the eager people in your house coming at you with spoons in hand. This is especially true of little hands.

More to Cook and Eat

• Apple Cookies (With Caramel) – try these soft apple cookies with a drizzle of your newly homemade caramel sauce!
• Apple Cake with Caramel – this apple cake is so good, it will be devoured with or without caramel. But nobody will be mad when you add a bit of caramel on top.
• Caramel Apple Cheesecake Dip – this easy, tasty treat is perfect for appetizers or part of a dessert buffet.
• Salted Caramel White Chocolate Cheesecake Bites – these decadent cheesecake morsels have been hailed by readers as the best thing they’ve ever tasted!