Classic Caramel Sauce
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Is there anything more swoon-worthy than a waffle cone dripping with ice cream or a loaded ice cream sundae?
I can totally relate to one of my favorite actresses, Ginger Rogers, when she said: “My love for ice cream emerged at an early age – and has never left!”
Author Thornton Wilder put it this way: “My advice to you is not to inquire why or whither, but just enjoy your ice cream while it’s on your plate — that’s my philosophy.”
Musician Del Shannon summed it up like this: “I eat ice cream. It’s better than booze.”
I love all flavors of ice cream. You name it, I love it. Well…unless it’s something totally weird like foie gras ice cream or lobster ice cream. (Yes, those really exist.) But any downright ghastly flavors aside, I love them all.
And as if you need an excuse to eat it, here are a few more ways to put this luscious caramel sauce to use: Cinnamon rolls, brownies, apple pie, cheesecake, scones, bread pudding, pancakes and fresh apples slices!
Enjoy!
© Liliya Kandrashevich | Dreamstime
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Classic Caramel Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 cup cane sugar
- 1/4 cup cold water
- ½ cup heavy cream warmed briefly in the microwave
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon quality pure vanilla extract
- Small pinch of salt see Note
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, combine the sugar and water, stirring to combine.
- Simmer until the syrup has turned a dark golden color, about 10-12 minutes. A candy thermometer isn't necessary, but it's helpful. For a thick but pourable sauce your candy thermometer should read about 230 degree F. For a little thinner sauce aim for 225 degrees F.
- Once the caramel is ready, whisk in the warm cream and simmer for another couple of minutes. Remove from heat and whisk in the butter, vanilla extract and salt. Serve warm or keep stored in the refrigerator. To reheat it, simply heat it up briefly in the microwave.
Notes
* This caramel sauce can be made in advance and stored in the fridge, covered tightly, for up to 2 weeks.
Hi, I’m Kimberly Killebrew and welcome to Daring Gourmet where you'll find delicious originals, revitalized classics, and simply downright good eats from around the world! Originally from Germany, later raised in England, world-traveled, and now living in the U.S., from my globally-influenced kitchen I invite you to tour the world through your taste buds!
Would it be bad to just eat the sauce with a spoon?!
Pass that this way and then just leave me alone with it and a spoon please.
Some ice cream is better than booze. Especially if it’s dripping with this sauce!
I want a big bowl of ice cream with this sauce on top!
We all scream for ice cream!! I need this caramel sauce!
This sauce looks so heavenly!
This is great to know! There’s a New Seasons market not too far from us. And that caramel sauce looks amazing!
I love caramel sauce on just about everything!
I have not made caramel in forever. I think I need to make caramel sauce soon. I will drink it if I could.
I want to pour this sauce on EVERYTHING (not just ice cream)! ;) It looks amazing!
What a great sale on ice cream! I’d say it’s definitely time to stock up! And this caramel sauce would be my topping of choice too! Looks delicious!
I’m ready to go get ice cream and make this!!
We moved to an area that doesn’t have a New Seasons and I miss it SO MUCH!! This caramel sauce will be a fun treat to top our ice cream off with this summer, thanks!
50% off ice cream is sweet music to my ears! :) Thanks for the tip!! You know I’m totally making that caramel sauce, too! :)
I love New Seasons so much! My kids are so into all of the different ice cream brands to try :)