The salted caramel sauce is a delicious and versatile preparation, ideal for enriching desserts, sweets, and breakfasts with an irresistible touch of sweet and salty. This homemade salted caramel sauce recipe is simple and quick, perfect even for those with little cooking experience. With just a few ingredients – sugar, cream, and a pinch of salt – you can achieve a creamy, glossy sauce with an intense flavor, just like those from pastry shops.
Discover how to make the perfect salted caramel sauce with our step-by-step guide: we will reveal all the tricks to prevent the sugar from crystallizing and to achieve a smooth and velvety consistency. Ideal for garnishing pancakes, cheesecakes, ice creams, cookies, and cakes, this sauce will soon become your favorite ally in the kitchen!
- Difficulty: Medium
- Cost: Very cheap
- Preparation time: 30 Minutes
- Portions: 12
- Cooking methods: Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: All Saints
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 2 1/3 tbsp water
- 7/8 cup whipping cream
- 3 tbsp butter
- 2 pinches salt
Steps
1- Melt the sugar
Pour the sugar and water into a saucepan with a thick bottom and cook over medium heat without stirring too much. When the edges start to melt, gently rotate the pot to even out the cooking. The sugar should turn a golden amber color, not too dark (otherwise the taste will be bitter).
2. Add the cream
Turn off the heat temporarily and pour the hot cream in a thin stream, stirring with a whisk. Be careful: the mixture will tend to splatter, so proceed slowly. Return to low heat and continue stirring until the sauce becomes smooth and homogeneous.3. Add butter and salt
Remove the saucepan from the heat, add the butter in pieces and the salt, then stir until completely melted. The butter will make the sauce velvety and glossy, while the salt will enhance the caramel flavor.
4. Let it cool
Let the salted caramel sauce cool at room temperature, then transfer it to a clean glass jar. Once cold, the consistency will become denser and creamier.
The salted caramel sauce can be stored in the refrigerator for about 2 weeks in a sealed glass jar. Before using it, warm it slightly in a bain-marie or in the microwave for a few seconds: it will become soft and creamy again, just like freshly made.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Can I make salted caramel sauce without cream?
Yes! If you don’t want to use cream, you can replace it with whole milk or plant-based cream, but the result will be slightly less dense and creamy. For a more velvety consistency, add a small knob of butter at the end of the cooking.
Can I freeze the salted caramel sauce?
Sure! You can freeze the salted caramel sauce for up to 3 months in a suitable container. When ready to use, let it thaw in the refrigerator overnight, then warm it slightly to regain the right consistency.
