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    Home » Hunger

    Small Batch Salted Caramel Sauce

    By Lauren on October 5, 2018, Updated April 27, 2021 14 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Small Batch Salted Caramel Sauce is perfect for adding to recipes, giving as a gift or just maybe sneaking a spoonful when no one is looking,  This recipe uses a candy thermometer to make sure your sauce is perfect the first time around!

    Spoons and apple slices covered in gooey salted caramel sauce

    Do you have a swoon food? Like, a food that you could stand at the counter and eat with a spoon? Regardless of temperature or how its supposed to be served. Maybe it's peanut butter, for Henry it's cold chicken soup (ew), for me it's salted caramel sauce.

    But not just midnight snack sweet treat kind of swoon. It's salted caramel over chocolate, salted caramel over pie, if you can put salted caramel on it I'm doing it.

    Spoons and apple slices covered in gooey salted caramel sauce

    Here's what there is to love about this caramel sauce:

    • buttery
    • sweet
    • smooth
    • just a smidge of salt to balance the sweet
    • thick but drizzly texture

    Need more convincing?

    • Salted Caramel Brownies
    • Salted Caramel Pretzel Cake
    • Salted Caramel Stuffed Chocolate Cupcakes
    • Soft + Chewy Salted Caramel Cookies
    • Caramel Apple Cider Cupcakes

    Maybe I have a salted caramel sauce problem...but is it really a problem?

    Salted caramel sauce dripping off spoon

    Close up of salted caramel sauce in mason jar

    Tips for Perfect Salted Caramel Sauce

    Working with sugar can be a little tricky. It's temperamental. Well, really, I feel like it's more like a ripening avocado.

    You're cooking the sugar and it's like "not ready yet, not ready yet, not ready yet, IM READY!" Then 2.5 seconds later the sugar burns. You know, like how an avocado has a 2 minute window of being ripe before it turns brown.

    Close Up of spoon covered in salted caramel sauce

    Jar of salted caramel sauce with gooey caramel drips down the side.

    Anyways...here are a few tips and tricks to kicking ass at making salted caramel sauce.

    1. the recipe. This recipe is always my go to because the corn syrup and water ratio to the sugar makes it easy to combine without getting sugar crystals
    2. the pan. Pick a heavy bottom sauce pan because sugar burns very easily. You can always cook for longer on a lower heat.
    3. no stir. Once everything is combined cook it without stirring, but you can stir it a little to check the color - just move the bubbles out of the way when checking the color.
    4. candy thermometer. Yes, it's a pain to have one more kitchen gadget in the drawer but the thermometer is your best friend at perfecting texture and thickness.
    5. patience. Waiting is hard. Especially when you just want to be done, but yes, you are going to have to stand by the stove and watch the sugar cook and let the caramel cool a touch before adding the butter.

    Spoons and apple slices covered in gooey salted caramel sauce

    Once you are all caramel'ed up - let the sweetness begin! If I may...since it is October and all...slice up one of those fresh orchard apples and drizzle with salted caramel sauce goodness. Or cake, cake is good too.

    Happy Carameling Friends!

    Jar of salted caramel sauce with gooey caramel drips down the side.

    Small Batch Salted Caramel Sauce

    Perfect, buttery, sweet and smooth salted caramel sauce in a size perfect for gift giving or to add to desserts.  This recipe uses a candy thermometer for no fail results.
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Pin SaveSaved! Rate
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: dessert
    Keyword: food gift ideas, salted caramel sauce, small batch salted caramel sauce, tips for cooking sugar
    Prep Time: 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time: 15 minutes mins
    Total Time: 25 minutes mins
    Servings: 2.5 cups
    Calories: 1000kcal
    Author: Lauren
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients

    • 2 cups sugar
    • 2 tablespoons light corn syrup
    • 2 tablespoons water
    • 1 cup heavy cream
    • 1 stick unsalted butter (cut into tablespoons)
    • ½ teaspoon kosher salt

    Instructions

    • In a heavy bottom sauce pan combine sugar, corn syrup and water.  Stir over medium-high heat until the sugar melts into a grainy sauce and there are no more lumps - the sugar does not need to be completely melted.  Cook without stirring 8 to 10 minutes until caramel turns amber color and remove from heat.
      Perfect amber color of salted caramel before adding cream
    • Slowly pour in heavy cream while stirring - mixture will steam and bubble.  Return to heat and cook until the mixture reaches 238°F on a candy thermometer.  
      salted caramel sauce after adding heavy cream
    • Transfer caramel to a heat proof bowl and stir in salt.  Let cool for 10 minutes.  Add butter 1 tablespoon at a time, stirring until it melts completely before adding the next butter.

    Notes

    When picking out your pan, choose a good quality sauce pan with a thick bottom and enough space to allow for 2 to 3 inches of bubbling sugar (when you add the cream).
    If you're worried about burning the sugar, you can always start off on a lower heat and cook for longer.
    If you only have salted butter, leave out the additional salt.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 1000kcal | Carbohydrates: 176g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 36g | Saturated Fat: 22g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 131mg | Sodium: 514mg | Potassium: 75mg | Sugar: 173g | Vitamin A: 1409IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 67mg | Iron: 1mg
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    Comments

    1. Jay says

      November 12, 2022 at 2:12 pm

      How long does this sauce keep when stored in airtight container in the fridge?

      Reply
      • Lauren says

        November 13, 2022 at 8:13 pm

        I keep mine for around 3 to 4 weekd in an airtight container in the fridge.

        Reply
    2. Makayla says

      October 01, 2022 at 12:32 pm

      Did I do something wrong? My sugar seemed super dry and was basically like a sugar scrub never to melt. I kept having to add water and stir to make it bubble up and it took 15+ minutes to get to a cream color…

      Reply
      • Kayla says

        October 01, 2022 at 12:55 pm

        I tired again in a different pot. That seemed to make a difference.

        Reply
    3. Molly says

      October 20, 2020 at 4:13 pm

      Just made caramel sauce for the first time using this recipe and it came out delicious! It's nice and smooth, not grainy at all. I'm going to make a caramel cream cheese frosting and put it on top of a pumpkin spice cake. Thanks for the easy and delicious recipe 🙂

      Reply
      • Lauren says

        October 20, 2020 at 9:43 pm

        that sounds delicious! thank you!!

        Reply
    4. Rachael Weis says

      September 15, 2020 at 4:24 pm

      What is the best way that you suggest reheating the sauce after it cools and tickens up?

      Reply
      • Lauren says

        September 15, 2020 at 9:39 pm

        You could microwave it in short intervals - like 10 seconds - stirring in between. Or you could put the jar in a pan with a little bit of hot water and let it sit.

        Reply
    5. Tracey Theuring says

      January 01, 2020 at 12:33 pm

      How do I store the sauce once I make it?

      Reply
      • Lauren says

        January 01, 2020 at 11:16 pm

        I like to keep mine in a mason jar, that way if you get any on the lip it cleans easy. Whichever airtight container you use, store in the fridge but let it sit at room temperature before using.

        Reply
    6. Anna says

      November 15, 2019 at 12:31 pm

      Anyway to print this without pictures? Lots of ink and paper, sorry.

      Reply
      • Lauren says

        November 16, 2019 at 3:09 pm

        Of course! At the top of the post there is a 'print recipe' button and that will pull just the recipe card for easy printing!

        Reply
    7. Lisa says

      October 30, 2019 at 4:24 pm

      I have never made caramel or even candy. I read this recipe several times and said I can do it! I got a thermometer on amazon and set out to make it. It turned out perfect...oh yummy. My son’s first birthday cake will be amazing with this sauce!!

      Reply
      • Lauren says

        October 30, 2019 at 7:56 pm

        This makes my heart SO happy! Thank you for trying this caramel sauce recipe, it's a constant go to for our family!

        Reply
    5 from 2 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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    Hi, I'm Lauren! This is my slice of the internet to share seasonally-inspired recipes. I live in the heart of New England with my two kiddos. Life is busy AND delicious!

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