A quick and decadent caramel sauce made with brown sugar, butter, and cream — perfect for drizzling over ice cream, pancakes, or your favorite desserts.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 8–10 minutes
Total Time: ~15 minutes
Yield: ~1.5 cups
Dietary: Gluten-free, Vegetarian
Ingredients
-
Light brown sugar – 1 cup, packed
-
Unsalted butter – ½ cup
-
Heavy cream – ½ cup (slightly warmed)
-
Salt – ¼ tsp
-
Vanilla extract – 1 tsp
Instructions
-
Prepare ingredients: Measure all ingredients. Warm the heavy cream slightly in a small saucepan or microwave (about 30 seconds) to prevent seizing.
-
Melt sugar: In a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat, add the brown sugar. Stir constantly with a wooden spoon or heatproof spatula until the sugar begins to melt and bubble (2–3 minutes). Continue until smooth.
-
Add butter: Add the butter all at once. Expect vigorous bubbling — keep stirring until fully incorporated (1–2 minutes).
-
Add cream: Slowly pour in the warmed cream while stirring. The mixture will bubble up dramatically — keep stirring until smooth and cohesive (about 1–2 minutes).
-
Season & finish: Remove from heat. Stir in the salt and vanilla extract. Taste and adjust salt as needed.
-
Cool & serve: Let the sauce cool for 5–10 minutes. It will thicken as it cools to the perfect drizzling consistency.
Quick Notes & Pro Tips
-
Temperature control: Keep the heat at medium to avoid burning the sugar.
-
Use a heavy-bottomed pan: It helps distribute heat evenly and prevents scorching.
-
Don’t panic at the bubbling: This is normal when adding butter and cream — just keep stirring.
-
Make it salted caramel: Increase the salt to ½ tsp for a salted caramel variation.
Why You’ll Love It
This recipe is foolproof, quick, and delivers a rich, buttery caramel flavor with a touch of molasses from the brown sugar. It’s pourable when warm and thickens to a spoonable consistency when cooled — perfect for desserts, breakfast treats, or even as a dip for fruit.
Serving Suggestions
-
Drizzle over ice cream, cheesecake, or apple pie
-
Spoon onto pancakes, waffles, or crepes
-
Swirl into coffee or hot chocolate for a caramel latte
-
Use as a dip for apple slices or churros
Storage & Make-Ahead
-
Refrigerate: Store in a jar or airtight container for up to 2 weeks.
-
Reheat: Warm gently in the microwave or on the stovetop over low heat.
-
Freeze: Store in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
FAQs
Q: Can I use dark brown sugar?
A: Yes, but expect a deeper, more pronounced molasses flavor.
Q: Why is my sauce grainy?
A: It may have crystallized from high heat. Stir constantly and avoid overcooking.
Q: Can I double this recipe?
A: Absolutely — just use a larger saucepan and stir continuously for even cooking.
Personal Note
This is my go-to caramel when I need a fast, luxurious topping. It takes only minutes, yet the flavor is incredible — the perfect finishing touch for homemade desserts or even a weekday treat.