How to Make Easy Caramel

Co-authored by Jessica Banh

Last Updated: March 18, 2023

Homemade caramel is made with just three main ingredients: sugar, butter and cream. How could it not be delicious? To make it, you cook the ingredients together until the mixture thickens and turns a rich amber color. Try it either on the stovetop or in the microwave. If you want to customize your caramel, try flavoring it with cinnamon, cayenne pepper, bourbon or apple juice. Want to learn more about how to make easy caramel? Read on.

Ingredients

On the Stovetop

1 cup white sugar
6 tablespoons butter, cut into pieces
1/2 cup heavy cream
Pinch of salt
1 tablespoon vanilla extract

In the Microwave

1 cup packed brown sugar
4 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup half and half
Pinch of salt
1 tablespoon vanilla extract

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Cooking it on the Stovetop

1
Measure out the ingredients before you start cooking. Timing is very important when making caramel, since it can easily burn, and you don't want to have to search around your kitchen for a measuring cup while your sugar is boiling.
2
Place a heavy-bottomed saucepan on the stove. A two to three quart pan works well. Be sure to use one that's nice and heavy, so it cooks the sugar evenly.

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3
Caramelize the sugar. Pour the sugar into the saucepan, and turn the heat to medium high. Start whisking it immediately so it doesn't burn, and keep going as it comes to a boil and begins to melt. Stop stirring once all of the sugar granules have melted, otherwise sugar can get crystallized.^{[1]
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- Be sure to stand there stirring the entire time, since sugar can quickly overcook once it's caramelized.
- If you cook it too long, the caramel will come out hard or even burn.
4
Add the butter to the pot. Be careful, since this will cause the mixture to froth up. Continue to whisk until the butter is completely melted.
5
Take the pan off the heat. Wait 10 seconds or so for the mixture to stop boiling.
6
Stir in the cream. It is better if the cream is warm. Pour it slowly into the pan, and continue whisking until the caramel is smooth.
7
Add the salt and vanilla, and other flavorings. Sprinkle the salt over the caramel and pour in the vanilla, along with any other flavorings you want to use. Stir until they're well incorporated throughout the caramel.
8
Return the pan to heat and bring the caramel to a boil. Reduce it to a simmer and cook for one more minute before removing it from heat.
9
Allow it to cool. Once it is no longer piping hot, transfer to a heat-proof jar or container. Store your homemade caramel in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Cooking it in the Microwave

1
Melt the butter in a glass microwave-safe bowl. Cook it on high for about 30 seconds. If it needs more time, keep cooking until it's entirely melted.^{[2]
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Research source} Remove it from the microwave.
- Don't use plastic when you're cooking caramel in the microwave. The sugar gets very hot, and can destroy the bowl and cause a mess. Be sure to always use glass instead.
2
Mix in the brown sugar and heavy cream. Pour them into the same bowl with the butter. Use a spoon or whisk to mix well.
3
Microwave on high for a minute and a half. This should be enough time for the mixture to get hot and bubbly. If it needs more time, cook it for an extra thirty seconds.^{[3]
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- Be careful not to cook it for too long, or it could overheat and cause a mess in your microwave.
- Handle the bowl very carefully once you add the sugar, since it will get quite hot.
4
Add the salt and vanilla, and other flavorings. Sprinkle the salt over the caramel and pour in the vanilla, along with any other flavorings you want to use. Stir until they're well incorporated throughout the caramel.
5
Allow it to cool. Once it is no longer piping hot, transfer to a heat-proof jar or container. Store your homemade caramel in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Trying Delicious Variations

1
Make apple caramel. For a fantastic fall treat, try flavoring your caramel with apple. Using either the stovetop or microwave method, alter the recipe as follows:^{[4]
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- Reduce the half and half to 1/4 cup
- At the same time as you add the salt and vanilla, add 1/4 cup apple cider and 1 tablespoon (14.8 ml) apple cider vinegar
2
Make bourbon caramel. Simply replace the vanilla in your caramel recipe of choice with the same amount of bourbon. The deep amber bourbon complements the flavor of the sweet caramel perfectly, and it's delicious paired with vanilla ice cream.^{[5]
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3
Make salted caramel. This is a popular variation on caramel sauce that takes the flavor up a notch. Instead of adding just a pinch of salt, add a teaspoon of salt for every cup of sugar you use. There's something about the sweet-and-salty flavor combination that makes it taste that much better.
4
Make spicy caramel. Everything's better with a little kick, right? To give your caramel sauce a memorable twist, add 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon at the same time you add the salt.