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Easy Homemade Salted Caramel Sauce (No Thermometer Needed)

Close-up of rich, glossy caramel sauce topped with flaky sea salt, illuminated by sunlight.
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Make rich, buttery salted caramel sauce at home using simple ingredients. This beginner-friendly recipe requires no candy thermometer and is ready in minutes, perfect for drizzling over desserts.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into pieces
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream, room temperature
  • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt, plus more for topping

Instructions

  1. Place the sugar in a medium, heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat. Do not stir initially.
  2. Allow the sugar to melt completely, swirling the pan occasionally to ensure even melting. Watch closely as it turns amber brown. This takes about 5 to 8 minutes.
  3. Once the sugar is fully melted and a deep amber color, immediately remove the pan from the heat.
  4. Carefully whisk in the butter pieces, one piece at a time, until fully melted and incorporated. The mixture will bubble vigorously.
  5. Slowly pour in the room temperature heavy cream while whisking constantly. The mixture will bubble up again. Continue whisking until smooth.
  6. Return the pan to low heat and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Do not let it boil rapidly.
  7. Remove from heat and stir in the 1/2 teaspoon of sea salt.
  8. Pour the sauce into a heatproof jar. Sprinkle a little extra sea salt on top while the sauce is still warm.
  9. Let the sauce cool completely before using. It will thicken as it cools.

Notes

  • Use room temperature heavy cream to prevent the hot sugar from seizing when you add the liquid.
  • If the sauce hardens after cooling, reheat it gently on the stovetop or in the microwave for a few seconds to restore its drizzly consistency.
  • This sauce works well over ice cream, brownies, or mixed into coffee.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cookingzenith.com/easy-homemade-salted-caramel/