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You never need to buy prepared caramel sauce again! Making your own homemade caramel sauce is a lot easier than you might
think, and it takes practically no time at all. This sauce is so good that you
be licking your spoon. Don't be afraid of making caramel sauce, as it is easy to do.
Just follow the simple directions below.
Check out Linda's
Butters, Condiments, Sauces, Relish & Jelly Recipes
for more great ideas.
Caramel Sauce Recipe
Recipe Type:
Condiments
& Sauces,
Cream
Yields: 1 cup
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Ingredients:
6 tablespoons light corn syrup
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons granulated
sugar
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut up into pieces
1/2 cup warm
heavy cream
NOTE: Using a pot
that is at least twice the volume of the ingredients will prevent a boil-over.
Preparation:
In a heavy saucepan over low to medium-low
heat, heat the corn syrup.
NOTE: I
find that by maintaining a low heat, I have more control over the caramelizing process, as it
is really easy to burn.
Stir in the sugar and cook, stirring constantly, until sugar dissolves and
mixture just begins to simmer.
After sugar
dissolves and syrup is simmering, cook for approximately 9 to 12 minutes, without
stirring. Every so often, hold handle of pan and gently tilt the pan
off the heat to distribute color evenly as sugar caramelizes. When sugar reaches a uniform
golden brown (dark amber) color, immediately remove from heat.
If using a
Candy Thermometer,
the temperature will be between 350 degrees and 355 degrees F. NOTE: Once the color is right, it is imperative to prevent
the sugar from cooking further, which would make the sauce too bitter.
Photos showing stages of the caramelizing process:
|
|
Stage 1 |
Stage 2 |
Stage 3 |
|
Stage 4 |
Stage 5 |
Warning:
The sugar mixture, when boiling, is really, really hot (hotter than
boiling water - over 300 degrees F.). It will seriously burn if you
spill it on yourself. So be careful! |
Off the heat, carefully stir in the butter with
a long-handled wooden spoon. Stir in the cream in a slow, thin stream.
NOTE: This will minimize steam and prevent the caramel
from boiling over the sides of the pan.
Transfer the
caramel to a heat-proof pitcher and let cool to room temperature.
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Adding butter. |
Stirring in cream
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Thoroughly mixed together. |
Letting cool in a heat-proof pitcher. |
Flavorings:
Caramel sauce can be flavored with all manner of spices or liqueurs.
Rather than using ground spices, which will turn the smooth sauce gritty, it is
best to infuse the cream with whole spices, then strain them out. Liqueurs, such
as triple sec, rum, whiskey, or bourbon, should be added off the heat after the
cream has been whisked in to avoid igniting the alcohol.
Storing: Caramel sauce keeps very
well, on the counter for at least a week (the amount of sugar is so high that
nothing really can grow in it). Caramel sauce can be refrigerated in an airtight
container for up to three weeks or frozen for up to two months.
Reheating: To reheat: If the caramel is
in a microwave-safe container at room temperature, microwave it on high power
for 1 minute, stirring twice. If cold, it will take a few seconds more.
Yields approximately 1 cup of caramel sauce.
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