Old-Fashioned Caramel Sauce Recipe

By
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Southern-cuisine expert and cookbook author Diana Rattray has created more than 5,000 recipes and articles in her 20 years as a food writer.
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Updated on 12/15/22
A pot of caramel sauce
Danielle Wood / Getty Images
Prep: 5 mins
Cook: 10 mins
Total: 15 mins
Servings: 20 servings
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
47 Calories
0g Fat
11g Carbs
0g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 20
Amount per serving
Calories 47
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0g 1%
Saturated Fat 0g 2%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 3mg 0%
Total Carbohydrate 11g 4%
Dietary Fiber 0g 0%
Protein 0g
Calcium 3mg 0%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Keep small amounts of this sauce in the freezer to warm up anytime. Enjoy this delicious sauce with cake, ice cream, or bread pudding. This old-fashioned caramel sauce is made with sugar, water, and cream. A little vanilla gives the sauce extra flavor.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup sugar (granulated)
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

Steps to Make It

  1. Put the sugar and water in a heavy saucepan over low heat.

  2. Cover and cook for about 5 minutes, or until sugar dissolves. Increase heat to medium-high and cook, stirring frequently, until the sugar turns a medium golden brown color, about 5 to 7 minutes.

  3. Carefully and slowly add the cream and vanilla, using a long-handled wooden spoon to stir. Simmer until the caramel dissolves and blends into the cream, about 2 minutes.

  4. The sauce will be smooth and slightly thickened. Serve warm or cool.

 

Tip

  • Add a little more cream before serving if it's too thick.

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