Quick Caramel Sauce

The Caramel Sauce You’ll Want on Everything

This rich, silky caramel sauce comes together in about 10 minutes—no candy thermometer, no stress. Just simple ingredients and big reward.

• Ready in 15 minutes from start to finish
• Made with ingredients you probably already have
• Buttery, smooth, and full of deep caramel flavor
• Great for drizzling, dipping, gifting—or eating by the spoonful
• Keeps in the fridge and reheats beautifully

After you preview the recipe card, be sure to look below for ingredient substitutions, recipe and storage tips, and suggestions for pairings and tasty variations!

Quick Caramel Sauce

Make decadent homemade caramel sauce on the stovetop in about 10 minutes with this easy recipe using ingredients you probably have on hand. Perfect for topping ice cream, cake, apple pie and so much more.

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Course: Sauces

Cuisine: American

Keyword: caramel ice cream topping, homemade caramel, Quick Caramel Sauce

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes minutes

Servings: 2 cups

Calories: 296kcal

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Ingredients 

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• 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
• 1 1/2 cups brown sugar
• 1 tablespoons butter cubed
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• Pinch of salt

Instructions

• In a medium saucepan, heat 1 1/2 cups heavy cream, 1 1/2 cups brown sugar and 1 tablespoons butter over medium heat until the butter is melted.
• Bring to a simmer and cook for an additional 8-10 minutes, or until caramel is thickened slightly. The sauce will thicken further as it cools.
• Remove from heat and stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla and a pinch of salt. Allow to cool slightly, then serve or transfer to a sealed jar and store in the refrigerator for up to one week. Reheat in the microwave before serving, if desired.

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Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 296kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 54mg | Sodium: 50mg | Sugar: 35g

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Delicious Ways to Use It

Once you have a jar of this on hand, the possibilities are endless:

• Drizzle over: Ice cream, cheesecake, brownies, apple pie, or pumpkin bars
• Dip with: Sliced apples, pretzels, or marshmallows
• Swirl into: Coffee, hot chocolate, or a milkshake
• Gift it: Pour into cute jars, tie with a ribbon, and share during the holidays

Recipe Tips

• Simmer gently: You want a steady bubble—not a full boil—to avoid burning or over-thickening.
• Watch the clock: The sauce only needs about 8–10 minutes to thicken. It firms up more as it cools, so don’t overcook.
• Don’t skip the salt: Even just a pinch brings out the caramel flavor beautifully. Add a little extra if you love salted caramel.

Storing & Reheating Your Sauce

This sauce is almost too easy to eat all at once—but if you do have leftovers:

• Fridge: Store in a sealed jar or container for up to 1 week.
• Reheat: Warm gently in the microwave in 15–20 second bursts, stirring between each.

Variations and Fun Twists

• Salted Caramel: Add ½–1 teaspoon flaky sea salt at the end for a sweet and salty sauce.
• Spiced Caramel: Add a pinch of cinnamon, nutmeg, or pumpkin spice for a cozy fall variation.
• Citrus Caramel: Stir in a teaspoon of orange or lemon zest.
• Maple Caramel: Use maple syrup in place of some of the brown sugar.