Indulge in the rich, buttery goodness of homemade caramel with this easy recipe. Perfect for drizzling over desserts or creating caramel candies, this recipe will elevate your sweet creations.
Ingredients for Caramel
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into pieces
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (optional, for salted caramel)
How to Make Caramel
- Prepare Ingredients: Have all your ingredients measured and ready to use as caramel-making requires quick action.
- Heat Sugar: In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, heat the granulated sugar over medium heat. Stir constantly with a heat-resistant spatula or wooden spoon. The sugar will start to clump and melt into a thick, amber-colored liquid as it caramelizes.
- Add Butter: Once the sugar is completely melted and amber in color, carefully add the butter one piece at a time, stirring continuously until the butter is fully incorporated. Be cautious as the mixture will bubble rapidly.
- Add Cream: Slowly pour in the heavy cream while stirring constantly. Again, be careful as the mixture will bubble up vigorously.
- Simmer and Stir: Allow the mixture to boil for 1 minute without stirring. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract and salt if using. Stir until smooth and well combined.
- Cool and Use: Let the caramel cool slightly before using it as a sauce or pouring it into molds for candies. It will thicken as it cools.
About the Main Ingredients
- Sugar: Caramelizes to create the rich, golden color and sweet flavor of caramel.
- Butter: Adds richness and smoothness to the caramel sauce.
- Heavy Cream: Provides a creamy texture and helps to stabilize the caramel sauce.
- Vanilla Extract: Enhances the flavor profile of the caramel.
Use this versatile caramel recipe to elevate your desserts, from drizzling over ice cream to filling macarons or even creating caramel apple treats. Enjoy the decadence of homemade caramel in various sweet creations!
