Description
A rich and luscious Brown Sugar Caramel Sauce made with butter, brown sugar, heavy cream, and vanilla. Perfect for drizzling over desserts, ice cream, or incorporating into drinks, this homemade caramel sauce offers a delightful balance of sweetness and depth with an optional touch of sea salt.
Ingredients
Scale
Brown Sugar Caramel Sauce Ingredients
- ½ cup salted butter
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- ¾ cup heavy cream
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- Pinch sea salt or sea salt flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Melt Butter and Brown Sugar: In a heavy saucepan, melt together the butter and brown sugar over medium heat. Stir continuously to combine well and avoid burning.
- Cook Mixture Until Bubbly: Continue cooking for a couple of minutes until the mixture is bubbly and thoroughly combined, creating a smooth base for the sauce.
- Add Heavy Cream: Gently whisk in the heavy cream, pouring it slowly as the mixture may bubble up. For a light and thin sauce suited for drinks or as a drizzle, immediately remove from heat. To achieve a darker and thicker consistency, simmer the sauce for several more minutes until the desired golden color and thickness are reached.
- Finish with Vanilla and Salt: Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract along with a pinch of sea salt if desired, enhancing the caramel’s depth and flavor complexity.
- Cool and Store: Transfer the sauce to a heat-proof container and allow it to cool to room temperature. Cover with a lid and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks, reheating gently before use if needed.
Notes
- Use heavy cream for a rich and creamy texture; half-and-half or milk will yield a thinner sauce.
- For saltier caramel, increase the pinch of sea salt or use fleur de sel for a gourmet finish.
- Store caramel sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator and warm it slightly before serving.
- If the sauce thickens too much when chilled, reheat gently on the stovetop or microwave while stirring.
- For vegan or dairy-free version, substitute butter with vegan butter and use coconut cream instead of heavy cream.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: brown sugar caramel sauce, caramel sauce recipe, homemade caramel, sauce for desserts, easy caramel sauce
