Does caramel ever really need a lengthy introduction? I mean, it's CARAMEL...we already know it's amazing right?! This Easy Caramel Sauce however is made with brown sugar instead of white so it's rich and tastes amazing on pretty much anything....seriously anything!
You start by adding the sugar, butter and water to the pan. How could anything that starts with those ingredients taste anything but great right?!
Once melted, you boil that for 5 minutes. It's going to bubble like crazy but it's totally fine. Just stir it to keep it from burning on the bottom.
After the 5 minutes, take it off of the heat and add in your evaporated milk and vanilla and stir until it stops bubbling and is completely smooth.
That's it!
Easy Caramel Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 stick butter
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon water
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅓ - ½ cup evaporated milk depending on the consistency you want
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- In a saucepan over medium heat, add your butter, brown sugar, water, and salt.
- Bring to a full boil then immediately lower to a simmer (medium/low) for 5 minutes while stirring occasionally.
- In a separate cup, add the vanilla extract to your evaporated milk. That way you can add it all in to the pot at once.
- Once your mixture has been simmering for 5 minutes, remove it from the heat and slowly pour in your evaporated milk/vanilla mixture. It's going to bubble up like crazy but just keep stirring until it all comes together.
- Make sure you cool it down before serving so it's not piping hot!
Notes
I like to start with adding only about ⅓ cup of the evaporated milk at first and then going from there. The sauce will thicken up as the caramel cools down. (in the pictures from this post, I used ½ cup of the milk)
You can keep this in the fridge and just warm it up for about 20-30 seconds in the microwave when you're ready to use it.
MAKES 1.5 CUPS
Tried this recipe?Leave a comment!
Michelle @ Vitamin Sunshine says
This looks crazy good. I just photographed a hot fudge recipe for Valentine's Day. Maybe our sauces should get together and have an ice cream party.
Coco and Ash says
Haha!! Yes! Chocolate caramel party!!
Amanda says
This looks super easy and I have never made my own caramel! I'll try this recipe out for sure!!
Debra C. says
Homemade caramel sauce is the best and your pictures look just mouthwatering!
Brian Jones says
Oh boy that looks so sticky and indulgent, nice job!
Nicola @ Happy says
I LOVE homemade caramel, but I've never tried it with brown sugar or condensed milk. Super excited to try your version!
Cynthia says
I have tried 4 other online recipes for caramel sauce and this was the best! And it was quick and easy!
Coco and Ash says
Thank you!
Yaz says
Boiling for five minutes created a smokey burnt mess. Keep temp lower maybe?
Coco and Ash says
Hi there, definitely try it on a lower temperature. Everyone's stove-top, pans, heat differently. So I would definitely keep a close eye on it and try a lower temp.
Krista says
Mine actually came out looking like the picture. A major feat for me!
Crystal Allen says
How long does it keep for ?
Coco and Ash says
I’d say about a week in the fridge. 🙂
Ashley Stewart says
Would it be okay to change the brown sugar to regular sugar?????
Coco and Ash says
For this recipe to turn out with the right results, I'd stick with brown 🙂
Alicia says
If you don’t have brown sugar, you can always sub sugar & molasses. I’ve done it twice with this recipe. So freaking good!
Natalie says
Great recipe to use up evaporated milk! Thanks 🙂
A helpful tip I've picked up throughout years of experimenting with various caramels: heat the milk and vanilla 30sec-1min in microwave before adding to caramel (I did this when the butter mixture had been boiling for 4 mins). This helps to prevent caramel sauce from bubbling over and spitting back at you as it does when cold ingredients are added.
Ruth MacKenzie says
Is a stick of butter a quarter of a cup or a half of a cup?
Coco and Ash says
I stick is half a cup
Diane Stonehouse says
This really was sooo good on vanilla ice-cream . Easy way to make this perfect sauce. I just wanted to use up the carnation milk. Thanks for sharing . Diane and Sheryl.
Gramma Di says
This caramel sauce is sooooo easy and soooooooo good! Served it with white cake and ice-cream . It is the best!
Coco and Ash says
Thank you!! 😀
Maya says
This is the first caramel recipe that has worked for me ! It came out wonderful definitely will use this recipe again!
Coco and Ash says
That's awesome!!
Theresa says
Is this sauce good for dipping apples or will it slide off?
Coco and Ash says
I can’t guarantee it won’t slide but it’s delicious with apples! It’s not as thick as a store bought apple dip though.
Constance Nora says
I just love to this recipe I'm from new Orleans and I make our caramel candy but I wanted to make it into a sauce using the exact same ingredients this is perfect I did a little dance it was that awesome so thanks so much evaporated milk is way better to use to than regular milk , heavy cream , half n half etc is has more deep flavor that's makes up the sauce so every one give it a try you won't regret it
Amber says
I followed the recipe but mine did not bubble at all when adding the evaporated milk. What might I have done wrong?
Coco and Ash says
You might need to adjust the heat. Sorry it didnt work for you!
Claire says
Came out perfect, so rich and delicious. Thank you!
Aisha says
Been looking for a super easy recipe for caramel sauce,I make my own caramel candies and I need sauce now too!! Getting ready to throw it down in the kitchen 🤞
Coco and Ash says
Enjoy!!
Random baker says
This caramel is way better than the stuff I made in culinary school!
Coco and Ash says
Aw thank you so much!! I appreciate the compliment!
Jenny S says
If I want to add a touch of heat to the caramel to drizzle over roasted sweet potatoes, how much cayenne should I add?
Coco and Ash says
I would start with 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon, taste then add more if needed 🙂
Ashley Penn says
Decided to make some since I had leftover evaporated milk from making my pumpkin pie. It was so easy and SO good! I'm gonna use it as a drizzle on my apple pie. I'm NEVER buying storebought caramel sauce again!
Coco and Ash says
Yay!! Thank you!
Busola says
Just made it this morning, turned out well, exactly like your pictures. I love the taste, thank you for the recipe
Leslie says
It tastes wonderful, but I used a half cup of evaporated milk and it was too thin😔
Michal says
Can I use this to make a caramel cream cheese frosting?