Never purchase store-bought again with this easy caramel sauce recipe! This no-fail, no-fuss caramel sauce really is the easiest to make with only 3 ingredients.
You’ll want to drizzle this caramel on everything from caramel apples to caramel apple cider, even cheesecake, cupcakes and vanilla ice cream!
Table of Contents
Why This is the Easiest Caramel Sauce
- Simple caramel recipe: Forgot the stress of making old-fashioned homemade caramel sauce! This 3-ingredient caramel sauce does not need a candy thermometer.
- Sweet and creamy: With perfect results every time, you can use the easy recipe for a candy apple bar, drizzle it on cheesecake bars, ice cream and so much more!
Easy Caramel Sauce Recipe Ingredients
- Soft caramels: I used unwrapped caramel bits to save time, but you can use unwrapped Werther’s Soft Caramels or Kraft Caramels.
- Water: Helps prevent burning.
- Cream: I used heavy cream (heavy whipping cream) but half and half would also work.
- Salt: Just a pinch balances the sweet caramel, but you can omit it if salted caramel is not your thing.
How to Make Caramel Sauce from Caramels
Place unwrapped caramels with water and cream in a medium sized saucepan. Heat on medium-low until caramels melt, stirring frequently.
Remove from heat and add a pinch of salt if desired for a salted caramel sauce.
If keeping warm for a crockpot caramel apple bar, transfer to a mason jar or Weck jar.
Add 6 cups of water to a slow cooker on high and place mason jar in the slow cooker stirring occasionally to retain a smooth consistency.
Use for dipping apple slices or drizzling on dessert of choice.
Recipe Tips
- Stir the sauce. To prevent burning as the caramels melt, turn the heat to medium-low or low and stir frequently.
- Thinner: This simple caramel recipe is for a thicker caramel dipping sauce. Add more cream as needed to thin it out. Evaporated milk could be used.
- Flavored: While vanilla extract and salt are common flavor variations, you can stir in a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to add some spice.
- How to store: Transfer to a mason jar and cool to room temperature. Store covered in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 3 weeks. Reheat in the microwave, stirring after each 30 second increment.
- Freeze homemade caramel sauce: Transfer to a freezer safe container and store frozen up to two months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, reheat on the stove.
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Easy Caramel Sauce
Ingredients
- 10.8 ounces Kraft or Werthers Soft Caramels , unwrapped (1 bag)
- 1 Tablespoon water
- ¼ cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 pinch salt , if desired
Instructions
- Melt caramels: Place unwrapped caramels with 1 Tablespoon of water and 1/4 cup cream in a medium sized saucepan. Heat on medium-low until caramels melt, stirring frequently
- Add salt: Remove from heat and add a pinch of salt if desired.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
Categorized as: American, Condiments, Desserts, Reader Favorites, Sauces
Jamielyn Nye is the founder and recipe creator at I Heart Naptime. She is the author of the I Heart Naptime Cookbook and shares easy family-friendly recipes and desserts for every occasion.
How many cups (or tablespoons) of sauce does this make?
About 2 cups :)
The perfect quick fix for a sweet snack with my just picked apples!
Yum! So glad you enjoyed it!