5-Minute Brown Sugar Caramel Sauce

A spoonful of caramel makes any dessert more decadent – not to mention more dressed up! A sauce is typically the easiest way to finish off a dessert with a new layer of flavor and this 5-Minute Brown Sugar Caramel Sauce recipe is one that you should definitely have in your arsenal. Eat it with a spoon, drizzle it over ice cream or serve with slightly warmed brownies – the options are endless and this caramel sauce is simple enough that you can try them all.

This simple caramel sauce is made with brown sugar, cream and butter, along with a dash of vanilla and salt to round out the flavors. It comes together in under 5 minutes, including the time that you need to measure out all your ingredients. I happen to be a big fan of the warm molasses note of brown sugar and like the complexity that it brings to this sauce, a little change of pace from most store-bought caramel sauces.

To make it, simply combine all the ingredients in a medium-sized saucepan or a medium-sized nonstick skillet. While it may seem like the ingredients could fit into a smaller pan, the caramel will bubble up as it cooks and you’ll reduce the risk of making a mess by simply using a slightly larger pan to start out with. After boiling the caramel for about two minutes – stirring to dissolve any crystals from the sugar – you’ll end up with a buttery, creamy caramel sauce.

I add vanilla and salt right after taking the caramel off the heat. By adding the vanilla while the sauce is still very hot, the alcohol in the extract will evaporate, leaving only the vanilla flavor behind. I also add another pinch of coarse salt – for that salty-sweet effect – after the caramel has cooled slightly. If you enjoy salty-sweet desserts, you’ll appreciate the subtle crunch of coarse salt in the finished sauce.

The Brown Sugar Caramel Sauce will thicken as it cools, so you will need to reheat it in the microwave (or on the stovetop in a nonstick pan) to make it drizzle-able if you need to. The sauce does not thicken up enough to turn into a sliced caramel, however, so you’ll need to one of my other reipes if you’re looking for that kind of treat!

5-Minute Brown Sugar Caramel Sauce
1/2 cup light or golden brown sugar
1/2 cup heavy cream
2 tbsp butter
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla extract
coarse salt, for topping

In a medium sized skillet (pref. nonstick) or a medium saucepan, combine brown sugar, heavy cream and butter. Bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Boil, stirring regularly, for about 2 minutes. Mixture will bubble up as it cooks. Remove from heat and stir in salt and vanilla extract. Transfer to a small container – such as a glass jar or bowl – to cool slightly before using. Top with sprinkle of coarse salt before serving.
Sauce will be easy to drizzle when warm, and it is ok to reheat it in the microwave if necessary.

Makes about 3/4 cup