Quick Caramel Sauce

Name: Quick Caramel Sauce
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups heavy cream; 1 1/2 cups brown sugar; 1 tablespoons butter (cubed); 1 teaspoon vanilla; Pinch of salt

4.7 from 3 votes

Recipe by Danelle

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Posted November 6, 2023Last Updated October 28, 2024

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Make decadent homemade caramel sauce on the stovetop in about 10 minutes with this easy recipe using ingredients you probably have on hand. Perfect for topping ice cream, cake, apple pie and so much more.

There are so many ways to make caramel sauce, and some of them require standing over a pot and stirring for a long time, but not this Quick Caramel Sauce. It’s ready to serve in less than 15 minutes!

Which is actually kind of dangerous–at least for me–knowing I can whip up a batch of luscious, creamy caramel whenever the craving strikes. Especially since I always have the ingredients handy in my pantry or refrigerator.

All you need is heavy cream, butter, brown sugar, salt and vanilla. And in a pinch, you can even make this sauce without the salt and vanilla.

But you definitely want to add both if they’re available. They add tons of flavor and depth to an already decadent sauce, and don’t add any time or effort to the recipe at all.

When my entire family is home, and we have vanilla ice cream in the freezer, we can go through an entire batch of this silky smooth caramel in just one sitting. And ice cream isn’t the only thing you can top with caramel.

This caramel is great as a topping for cheesecake, and other fall cakes like pumpkin cake, or my beautiful Autumn Spice Bundt Cake. It also makes a great dip for sliced apples.

It’s like eating a caramel apple without all the work and mess! And if I’m being honest, I’ve eaten a good deal of this creamy caramel straight from the jar with a spoon. Don’t judge.

You can store this caramel in the refrigerator for up to a week, but with all the wonderful ways to use it, chances are it won’t last that long. It also makes a wonderful holiday gift for friends and neighbors.

Although I make this sauce year round, I make it most often in the fall, because it goes so well with so many fall flavors, like apple and pumpkin.

Once you’ve tried this Quick Caramel Sauce you’ll be whipping up caramel to go with everything (or to eat with a spoon). This is one recipe everyone needs in their recipe box for sure.

Be sure to save this Quick Caramel Sauce recipe to your favorite Pinterest board for later.

Here’s what you’ll need to make Quick Caramel Sauce

Cream
Brown sugar
Butter
Vanilla
Salt

Quick Caramel Sauce

4.67 from 3 votes

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Course: Sauces

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 5

Cook Time: 10

Total Time: 15

Servings: 2 cups

Calories: 296kcal

Author: Danelle

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups heavy cream
1 1/2 cups brown sugar
1 tablespoons butter cubed
1 teaspoon vanilla
Pinch of salt

Instructions

In a medium saucepan, heat the cream, brown sugar and butter over medium heat until the butter is melted.
Bring to a simmer and cook for an additional 8-10 minutes, or until caramel is thickened slightly. The sauce will thicken further as it cools.
Remove from heat and stir in vanilla a salt. Allow to cool slightly, then serve or transfer to a sealed jar and store in the refrigerator for up to one week. Reheat in the microwave before serving, if desired.