Make Your Own Sea-Salt Caramel Sauce: Cooking up Your Farmer’s Share

Fresh-picked apples will be in the markets now through September, and what goes better with apples than caramel sauce?

Making caramel sauce is actually easy; but be prepared for noise, and a bit of spitting.

It Doesn’t Look Like Sauce

The cooking process for caramel goes quickly.  When you start melting the sugar, you’ll think you did something wrong because it looks like ice bergs.

Don’t worry, just keep stirring.

sugar melting in pot
The sugar will look chunky as it begins to melt.
Use the whisk to smooth out the sauce.

Tips for Success

You can learn from my mistakes.

The size of your pot matters. Use a 3 qt. (medium size) heavy saucepan. The first time I tried to make this sauce, I used a small pot (1 1/2 qt.) instead of a medium size one.

It took too long for the sugar to melt and the sauce was more like caramel candy. (That was a mistake I could live with.)

Also, have your ingredients at room temperature, measured, and next to the stove when you start cooking. This will make the cooking process quicker and reduce splattering.

Have the ingredients and utensils ready.

Use Caution

Melted sugar is extremely hot. Use caution, and keep children and pets away from the sauce until it has cooled.

Storing the Sauce

The sauce can be stored in a covered jar in the fridge. Just uncover and warm in the microwave ( or a warm water bath) when you are ready to use it.

Besides apple slices, I’ve used this caramel sauce on ice cream, in coffee, and even in an apple pie.

Beware, though! This stuff is addictive. It’s also destined to become one of your pantry staples.

Sea-Salt Caramel Sauce

Have the ingredients at room temperature, and measured out, when you are ready to cook.
Servings: 12
Calories: 111kcal
Author: A. JoAnn

Ingredients

  • 1 c. sugar
  • 4 Tbsp. butter
  • ½ c. half & half
  • ¼ tsp. vanilla
  • ½ tsp. sea salt

Instructions

  • Place sugar in a 3 qt. sauce pan and heat over medium heat until the sugar dissolves completely. As it melts, stir it carefully with a silicon spatula.
  • The sugar will look chunky as it begins to melt.
    sugar melting in pot
  • When all of the solids have turned to liquid, turn off the heat and whisk in the butter and cream, fully incorporating the mixture. This is when you will get the sputtering and spitting - just ignore it and keep whisking.
  • Use the spatula to get at the chunks.
  • Use the whisk to smooth out the sauce.
  • Alternate between the whisk and the spatula. The whisk will incorporate the ingredients, the spatula can loosen thickened caramel from the whisk and sides of the pot.
  • You can turn the heat back on low and continue whisking, if you get some lumps.
  • Once it looks like caramel sauce, whisk in the vanilla and salt.
  • Pour into a clean canning jar and allow it to cool. Put the lid on the sauce. Store in the fridge until ready to use.

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Author: A. JoAnn

Here is where I share the beauty I find in everyday life; and the humor, too!

3 thoughts

  1. JoAnn – I can remember making caramel when I was growing up. ah there was some parental supervision involved. hmm – could be more alternate munchies – or gooies on the horizon.

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