Homemade caramel sauce is so simple, you'll never want store-bought caramel sauce again! Easy 1-step, 5-ingredient salted caramel sauce recipe. | natashaskitchen.com

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.

This caramel sauce recipe is so simple, you’ll never want store-bought again! There are only 5 all-natural ingredients that all go into the pot at once and then you whisk until it’s thickened to your liking. How easy is that?! You’ll learn how to make caramel sauce in no time!

I’ve been disappointed many times looking for caramel that didn’t have high fructose corn syrup, or artificial colors and flavors, or other ingredients I couldn’t pronounce. It’s crazy! This caramel recipe is not just easy, but it tastes amazing. Nothing beats homemade caramel sauce!

Homemade caramel sauce is so simple, you'll never want store-bought caramel sauce again! Easy 1-step, 5-ingredient salted caramel sauce recipe. | natashaskitchen.com

I learned how to make caramel sauce from Pioneer Woman years ago and have been making this salted version ever since! The little bit of salt in this recipe balances the flavors perfectly so don’t skip it! There’s a reason why salted caramel is “a thing.”

Caramel Sauce Ingredients:

1 cup (200 grams) light brown sugar, packed
4 Tbsp unsalted butter*
1 tsp sea salt, or to taste
1/2 cup half and half (or use equal parts heavy cream and milk)
1 Tbsp real vanilla extract

*If using salted butter, cut the salt to 1/2 tsp or add it to taste.

Homemade caramel sauce is so simple, you'll never want store-bought caramel sauce again! Easy 1-step, 5-ingredient salted caramel sauce recipe. | natashaskitchen.com

To make the Easiest Salted Caramel Sauce:

1. Combine all ingredients in a saucepan and simmer over low heat, whisking constantly or until thickened and no longer watery (6-9 minutes). Keep in mind it thickens more as it cools.

Homemade caramel sauce is so simple, you'll never want store-bought caramel sauce again! Easy 1-step, 5-ingredient salted caramel sauce recipe. | natashaskitchen.com

P.S. That’s homemade vanilla extract you see up there. You only need to ingredients for it – so easy! It also makes for a great homemade gift! 

Can I Make Caramel Sauce Ahead?

Homemade caramel sauce can easily be made ahead and we love keeping a jar in the refrigerator. Caramel sauce is great served warm, at room temperature or chilled with refrigeration. Refrigerate in an airtight container up to 2 weeks. You can warm it slightly to make it more drizzle-able.

Homemade caramel sauce is so simple, you'll never want store-bought caramel sauce again! Easy 1-step, 5-ingredient salted caramel sauce recipe. | natashaskitchen.com

P.S. Be careful with the sampling – It’s easy to get carried away!

What Causes Caramel Sauce to be Grainy?

Sugar crystallization can cause a grainy caramel sauce giving your caramel sauce a rough consistency. To prevent this, use a pastry brush moistened with water to brush down the sides of your saucepan if any sugar is present on the sides of the pan. Also, avoid any ingredient substitutions.

To Fix a Grainy Caramel Sauce:

To fix a caramel that separates or a grainy caramel sauce, you want to add a little water (1 to 2 Tbsp), bring it to a boil, and re-dissolve the crystalized sugar. Once it’s smooth again, remove it from heat.

⬇Print-Friendly Caramel Sauce Recipe:

Natasha's Kitchen Cookbook

Easy Caramel Sauce Recipe

4.95 from 367 votes
Author: Natasha of NatashasKitchen.com
Homemade caramel sauce is so simple, you'll never want store-bought caramel sauce again! Easy 1-step, 5-ingredient salted caramel sauce recipe. | natashaskitchen.com
Homemade caramel sauce is so simple, you'll never want store-bought again! Easy 1-step, 5-ingredient salted caramel sauce recipe.
Prep Time: 2 minutes
Cook Time: 8 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients 

Servings: 16 Tbsp (makes 1 cup caramel sauce)
  • 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
  • 4 Tbsp unsalted butter, *
  • 1 tsp sea salt, or to taste
  • 1/2 cup half and half, or use equal parts heavy cream and milk
  • 1 Tbsp vanilla extract

Instructions

  • Combine all ingredients in a small/medium saucepan and simmer over low heat, whisking constantly or until thickened and no longer watery (6-9 min). Keep in mind it thickens more as it cools. Serve warm, at room temperature or chilled. Refrigerate in an airtight container up to 2 weeks. You can re-warm it slightly to make it more drizzle-able.

Notes

*If using salted butter, reduce salt to 1/2 tsp or add it to taste.

Nutrition Per Serving

89kcal Calories13g Carbs3g Fat2g Saturated Fat10mg Cholesterol152mg Sodium28mg Potassium13g Sugar115IU Vitamin A0.1mg Vitamin C20mg Calcium0.1mg Iron
Nutrition Facts
Easy Caramel Sauce Recipe
Amount per Serving
Calories
89
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
3
g
5
%
Saturated Fat
 
2
g
13
%
Cholesterol
 
10
mg
3
%
Sodium
 
152
mg
7
%
Potassium
 
28
mg
1
%
Carbohydrates
 
13
g
4
%
Sugar
 
13
g
14
%
Vitamin A
 
115
IU
2
%
Vitamin C
 
0.1
mg
0
%
Calcium
 
20
mg
2
%
Iron
 
0.1
mg
1
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Course: Condiments, Sauce
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Caramel Sauce
Skill Level: Easy
Cost to Make: $
Calories: 89

If you make this recipe, I’d love to see pics of your creations on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter! Hashtag them #natashaskitchen

Homemade caramel sauce is so simple, you'll never want store-bought caramel sauce again! Easy 1-step, 5-ingredient salted caramel sauce recipe. | natashaskitchen.com

We love this homemade caramel sauce over our pumpkin cheesecake, vanilla ice cream, over baked apples, and the mini cheesecakes I will post later this week, and everything we can possibly put caramel over ;).

Homemade caramel sauce is so simple, you'll never want store-bought caramel sauce again! Easy 1-step, 5-ingredient salted caramel sauce recipe. | natashaskitchen.com

Natasha Kravchuk

Welcome to my kitchen! I am Natasha, the blogger behind Natasha's Kitchen (since 2009). My husband and I run this blog together and share only our best, family approved and tested recipes with YOU. Thanks for stopping by! We are so happy you're here.

Read more posts by Natasha

Leave a Comment

Recipe Rating




Comments

  • Barbara Hallett Wegner
    March 10, 2024

    Made this last night and WOW so easy. My sauce did get grainy but put it in a pan with 1 T water like you said too and perfectly smooth.

    Reply

As Featured On

Never Go "Hangry" Again!

Get weekly updates on new recipes, exclusive giveaways plus behind the scenes photos.