Homemade Caramel Sauce – this smooth and creamy caramel sauce is perfect with ice cream, apples, or even cheesecake!
At my house, we love pouring this caramel sauce over frozen caramel torte, caramel turtle cheesecake, and cinnamon ice cream.
When I was in high school, there was an ice cream parlor called Leatherby’s a few minutes from my house that I would often visit with friends. They served a killer turkey sandwich, and the BEST caramel sundaes.
The caramel sauce was made from scratch, and it was my absolute favorite. When I went away to college I would dream about that caramel sauce! Any time I came home I would try to fit a visit to Leatherby’s into my schedule so I could get my fix.
If chocolate is more up your ally, don’t miss my easy hot fudge sauce recipe!
It took me two decades, but I finally found an easy recipe for caramel sauce recipe that tastes just like I remember, and I am in heaven! You will be too if you make this stuff. It’s phenomenal!
How to make caramel sauce:
Ingredients:
- brown sugar (I use light, but you can use dark brown sugar.)
- granulated sugar
- corn syrup
- butter (I use salted butter.)
- evaporated milk (You can substitute cream if you prefer.)
- vanilla extract
- salt
The recipe is pretty simple, and you don’t even need a candy thermometer. Just cook and stir the first five ingredients over medium heat till it’s as thick as you like it, then add vanilla and salt. If you’re the type that loves using a thermometer, cook the sauce till almost to soft ball stage.
It does require a bit of stirring, so be prepared for that. You can use a spoon or silicone spatula, but I happen to love this whisk. It does a great job of getting into the edges of the saucepan!
Frequently asked questions about Caramel Sauce:
Q: How should I store the caramel sauce?
A: Leftover sauce should be stored covered in the refrigerator. I like to store mine in mason jars with plastic lids.
Q: Can I use cream instead of evaporated milk?
A: Yes, light or heavy whipping cream is an acceptable substitute. It actually makes a richer sauce, but I prefer the evaporated milk because it tastes more like the sauce I remember.
Q: Can I use dark brown sugar instead of light brown sugar?
A: Yes, that is just a matter of preference. It will taste slightly different and may turn out a little darker, but that’s fine.
Q: What can I use in place of corn syrup?
A: I’ve never tried a substitute, but I’d imagine that honey or agave nectar would work. Honey would definitely change the flavor though.
What can I serve with my homemade caramel sauce?
This caramel is smooth, rich, and basically perfect. We of course love it over ice cream, but it is also fantastic served with sliced apples or drizzled over cake or cheesecake. Or you can just eat it by the spoonful. I won’t judge.
It’s National Caramel Day today, so you have the perfect excuse to make this caramel sauce! And of course I’m teaming up with some other talented bloggers to bring you even more unbelievable caramel recipes. Prepare to drool!
Instant Pot Caramel Dipping Sauce from 365 Days of Slow Cooking
Smoky Salted Caramel Creme Brulee from Hey Grill Hey
Turtle Cake from Real Mom Kitchen
Chocolate Dipped Caramel Marshmallows from Ashlee Marie
Iced Caramel Macchiato from Gather for Bread
Vegan Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars from Namely Marly
Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars from Baking with Blondie
Caramel Banana Bread from Yellow Bliss Road
Coconut Chocolate Caramel Nests from Life Made Simple
Chai Creme Brulee from Foodie with Family
Homemade Caramel Sauce (you’re here!)
Caramel Pretzel Brownies from The Baker Upstairs
And a few more caramel recipes just for good measure.
Decadent Caramel Brownies / Chocolate Caramel Truffles / Caramel Shortbread Cookies
Frozen Caramel Crunch Torte / Gourmet Cinnamon Roll Caramel Corn / Turtle Pie
Toffee Caramel Apple Cake / Salted Caramel Bars / Chocolate Caramel Shortbread
Homemade Caramel Sauce
Homemade Caramel Sauce Recipe
Rich and creamy homemade caramel sauce - perfect for topping ice cream!
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup corn syrup
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1 12 oz can evaporated milk
- 1 tsp vanilla
- dash salt
Instructions
- Combine brown sugar, sugar, corn syrup, butter, and evaporated milk in a heavy saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat.
- Boil, stirring constantly, for 15-20 minutes or till mixture thickens. I like mine pretty thick (almost to a soft ball stage if you want to use a thermometer). Remove from heat and stir in vanilla and salt.
- Sauce will thicken as it cools. Serve warm over ice cream.
Notes
*If your heat is set too high, the sauce may appear curdled. If this happens, just let it cool a little, then pour it into a blender and blend till smooth. Works like a charm.
Recipe adapted from The Provident Pantry
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
20Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 147Total Fat: 6gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 18mgSodium: 71mgCarbohydrates: 23gFiber: 0gSugar: 23gProtein: 1g
Can you cook this to the soft ball stage and make caramel chews ? Just wondering if it will set like fudge ?
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I’ve never done that, but it’s certainly worth a try. I think if you cook it to the soft ball stage, it should set up like fudge. Let me know if it works!
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I made this today and it was even better than I had expected. Absolutely delicious. I always have the ingredients on hand, so I can have warm caramel sauce for my family whenever they are craving it. Thank you!
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I’m so glad you loved it Cheryl! I always have the ingredients on hand as well, and it is so nice for a last minute dessert. Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving a comment!
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Hi Kara – did you grow up near Sac by chance? Leatherby’s is an icon!! (I’m from CH). Is this caramel “gritty” like Leatherby’s? To me, that’s what I love!
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Have you ever tried maybe honey or pure maple syrup instead of corn syrup? I don’t have any on hand and keep forgetting to grab some every time I go town lol
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No ingredient amounts are listed (on two different devices) when trying to make your recipe
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If you scroll to the bottom of the post, the ingredient amounts and specific directions are in the recipe card. 🙂
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I’m looking to recreate the Leatherbys peanut butter sauce because my family loves it. This looks like a good base, any tips or suggestions on incorporating peanut butter?
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You could probably just stir some peanut butter into the sauce until you get the flavor you want. You may need to add cream to thin it out. But when I want peanut butter topping, I use this recipe: https://www.creationsbykara.com/peanut-butter-sauce-ice-cream-topping/ 🙂
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Delicious taste but mine is kind of hard. I warm it up in the microwave to a sauce consistency but as soon as it hits the ice cream it is firm again. Do you think I cooked it too long?? I also used heavy cream because it is what I had on hand.
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Can dark brown sugar be used ?
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That is just a matter of taste, so yes, you can use it. It won’t be exactly the same, but it should be pretty close.
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Great memories of Leatherby’s in Sacramento! I loved their marshmallow sauce! I’m excited to try this!
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I just made this and it tastes great. I put the Caramel in pint canning jars with lids then topped with 2 green apples and am giving it as gifts. Yuppy!
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I love that idea! Such a fun gift!
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Hi,
Can this be out of the fridge for a few days? I’m wondering about sending it in a care package in a canning jar.
Thanks for any advice!
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I’ve never left mine out of the fridge for more than a few hours. I don’t like to take chances with anything that contains milk.
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This looks amazing and I want to make it tonight, but somehow I have only heavy cream and no evaporated milk which never happens. Could I substite? Or should I make a trip to the store?
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I just saw your message, so I’m not much help. Sorry. My guess would be that cream would work fine. Did you try it? If so, how did it turn out?
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Hi, I don’t know what i did wrong but mine turned out sugary.
Any way to fix it? PS I have not sent this before.
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I’m not sure what happened, but I would guess that maybe you just didn’t cook it long enough to melt the sugars. I’d try heating it up again to see if it will melt. You can add a little more evaporated milk or cream if you need to.
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Hi, I don’t know what i did wrong but mine turned out sugary.
Any way to fix it?
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This looks so good. Is it possible to process in jars in a bath canner? This would be great tucked in a gift basket but would want the jar sealed.
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I’d be scared to process them at home because of the milk content. Personally, I’d just let people know they need to keep them refrigerated. I don’t like to take chances when I’m giving food as gifts. 🙂
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I’m not sure there are leatherbys everywhere but I lived in Fairfield, Ca, and grew up with a leatherbys that had amazing caramel sundaes! Thanks for sharing thisnill he making it tonight!
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Let me know how you like it. 🙂
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Nice , im going to try it…im a newbie all the way from Johannesburg South Africa!
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Hope you enjoy it Edith! I love that one of my recipes is being made all the way over in South Africa! 🙂
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This looks so good! How do you store it and how long does it keep for?
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I store it covered in the fridge. I think it would keep for a few weeks, but I’m not sure because mine never lasts that long.
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Homemade caramel sauce is the BEST!!! and so much easier than people think! so worth it!
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Oh yes. The stuff from a jar just doesn’t compare!
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Caramel sauce is like sunscreen…it should be applied liberally! Ha! I crack myself up. Love this!
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Haha, you are absolutely right. Actually I think I apply my caramel even more liberally than my sunscreen. 😉
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This looks so creamy and delicious! 🙂
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