Easy Step-by-Step Homemade Caramel

• Vegetarian
• Gluten free

• Baking & Spices

  • 1 cup Granulated sugar
  • 1/2 tsp Sea salt

• Dairy

  • 6 tbsp Butter, unsalted
  • 1/2 cup Heavy whipping cream

Found on gooddinnermom.com

Description

Ingredients

• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature, cut into big chunks (thirds is fine)
• ½ cup heavy whipping cream, at room temperature
• ½ to 1½ teaspoons sea salt (depending on if youre making regular caramel or salted caramel)

Directions

• Pour the sugar into a medium saucepan and heat to medium-high. Using a rubber spatula, stir the sugar just occasionally, scraping the bottom of the pan. At first the sugar will be lumpy, but will soon melt and start turning brown. Dont stir too often, just enough to keep everything evenly cooking. After about 5 minutes, the sugar should be fully melted and become a rich amber color.
• At this point, remove the pan from the heat and immediately add the butter. the mixture will start to bubble quite rapidly. Thats just what you want.
• Using your spatula or a whisk, stir the butter and sugar until they melt together almost completely. This can take 1-2 minutes.
• Next, pour in the heavy whipping cream and sea salt. If youre making regular caramel, then add ½ teaspoon of salt and no more. If youre making a salted caramel version, add anywhere from 1 teaspoon to 1½ teaspoons depending on your liking.
• Stir constantly now until the sauce is all mixed together and is smooth. Place back on the stove at medium-high heat again for about 20 seconds more. Remember to keep stirring.
• Remove from heat and serve immediately for a hot option over ice cream or let cool at least 15 minutes for room temperature use.
• Over several minutes, the caramel will become harder to stir. For a manageable sauce, just heat in microwave for 10-15 seconds and stir again.