Salted Caramel Sauce
This time last year I saved a picture of coffee ice cream topped off with caramel sauce. It’s been on my mind since. Yes, seriously that long. Packed it away for when the time was right. Last week was just that time! Only I decided to keep things simple and kid friendly. No whiskey. Whaaat?! I know, but I don’t want to hog the caramel sauce all to myself.
Apple pie, I’ll gladly hog all to myself. Bacon and bbq chicken pizza, totally willing to eat myself. In fact when it comes to apple pie, I’ll even make a second or something else for everyone else. Totally wrong and yet totally right. Caramel sauce, while I adore it, I’m willing to share. It’s awesome, easy and one of my new favorite ice cream toppings.
Up until last week, I’d been pretty much a strawberry sauce girl or fudge sauce or sprinkles… okay, or all of the above. No lie. Strawberries will always be my favorite for vanilla ice cream though. Caramel and chocolate sauce now are tied for second place. My favorite part about this, seriously, it’s ridiculously easy to make and comes together SO fast. I mean minutes. No major slaving away or anything. If you can watch ingredients in a saucepan and stir a little bit, you can make this. Pinkie swear.
Wanna know something else, because this can last at least several weeks, it’s totally gift-able! You could even put together a cute little ice cream package and include this in there.
But let’s not stop with just ice cream, this should be drizzled on cakes and other sweets too. Maybe a drizzle in your coffee even? ;) I won’t tell. A nice sweet way to start the day. I guarantee you’ll want to eat this straight off of the spoon too. Fair warning.Â
PS In case you missed the news, I was featured on gawkerverse this week, the parent name to foodgawker and it’s siblings. Stop by and check out the fun blogger spotlight interview.
Salted Caramel Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 C granulated sugar
- 1/8 tsp cream of tartar
- 3 Tbsp water
- 1/4 C unsalted butter cut into chunks
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 C heavy cream
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
Instructions
- Add sugar, cream of tartar and water to a medium saucepan, bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Cook without stirring until mixture begins to caramelize. Use a rubber spatula to gentle stir occasionally until mixture reaches a honey color.
- Reduce heat to medium-low, continue to cook until mixture turns a deep amber, roughly 3-5 minutes. Remove from heat, immediately whisk in vanilla and butter. Whisk in cream and sea salt. Cool slightly in pan before pouring into glass storage or a bowl for immediate use.
- Cool completely before covering and chilling. Warm before using.
- Store chilled for up to 2 weeks.
I love Salted Caramel, I can’t wait to try this recipe on Ice Cream :)
Mmmmm, caramel sauce is the best. I always prefer that over chocolate on my ice cream!
Oh yes – I do need this to drizzle in my next homemade latte. YUM!!
I love caramel,definitely a long time favorite!
I would have so much trouble not putting this on EVERYTHING.
Sounds so good, and I love that it’s so much easier than I thought it was to make! YUM!
I was surprised too! Super easy.
I was always a strawberry topping person growing up but I’ve really come to love hot fudge and caramel sauce too. I seriously can’t keep this stuff on hand because I just can’t keep a spoon out of it!
Congrats on the gawkerverse interview, I loved it :)
Be still my heart. Gorgeous pics, friend! Love it!
Thanks Lauren!
I am sorry to say it wouldn’t last long enough to be drizzled on anything, I would eat this salted caramel sauce straight with a spoon!
Ha! I don’t blame you. I think I prefer topping over what it goes on :)
Gorgeous Rachel! I made a version with rum added and yes, it lasts awhile so totally giftable. Love that you saved your inspiration recipe/picture for a year! I do that all the time with stuff!
I’m slightly obsessive about saving ideas. So glad I saved this one though. Next time I’ll have to try an adult version! ;)
i want to drink that and lick it. all of it.
I want to put this on all the things.
I love salted caramel sauce way too much! Your pictures are making me hungry!
This looks dangerous!
I am 100% undoubtedly, inexplicably, obsessively in love with salted caramel sauce. I like to eat it with a spoon. Ok, I’m done now. ;) Looks amazing Rachel!!!
Sounds like a great topping for ice cream!
Salted caramel anything is all the rage lately, and I’ve never even made it once. I better hop on board the salted caramel train soon… yours would be a good place to start. I’m all about homemade ice cream lately. I’m new to that, too!! LOL.
Hi Rachel this was very easy to make, although I have a question regarding its color. Mine was half as light as yours. Any idea why that might be? I made it exactly as your recipe suggested.
The color darkens as it continues to cook. It sounds as though you removed it from heat a bit too early.