Salted Caramel Sauce

Caramel sauce might be one of Hubby’s favorite things ever. He will always choose a caramel treat over a a chocolatey treat. I’ve just recently gotten more comfortable making my own caramel sauce. It actually is so much easier than I thought it was. Having a candy thermometer is a must for making caramel at home. But that’s really all you need. If you haven’t made your own caramel sauce, do it. Trust me, it’s worth the minimal effort required.

I ended up making a triple batch of this salted caramel during the holidays. I ordered some cute jars online and gave them away as gifts to some family members. Hubby also enjoyed a bunch of this caramel sauce heated up over vanilla ice cream.

One Year Ago: Crunchy Nut Encrusted Chicken Tenders
Two Years Ago: BBQ Chicken Pizza Sticks

Print Save

Salted Caramel Sauce

Salted caramel sauce is easier to make than you could ever imagine. And it makes a great gift!

Yield: 2 cups

Ingredients:

1 cup water
2 cups sugar
1 cup heavy cream
2 Tbsp cold unsalted butter
1 tsp fleur de sel

Directions:

Add water to a 2-qt saucepan. Gently add the sugar to the center of the pot - it will mound, that's fine. Cover the pot and bring to a boil over high heat.

Once boiling, uncover the pot and insert a candy thermometer. Continue cooking until the mixture registers 300 F and is just starting to develop some color, about 15 minutes.

Reduce heat under the pot to medium and cook until the syrup is amber and registers 350 F on the thermometer, about another 5 minutes.

Meanwhile, pour the cream into a small saucepan and bring to a simmer. If it simmers before the syrup is ready, just take it off the heat and set aside.

Remove the caramel from the heat and add about 1/4 of the warm cream to the pot. It will bubble furiously so be careful. Once the bubbling subsides, add the remaining cream. When it stops bubbling, whisk gently to incorporate fully. Add the butter and the salt and whisk to combine.

Refrigerate up to 1 month.

Recipe from Cook's Illustrated, as seen on Erin's Food Files

    Pin It

13 Responses to “Spiced Butternut Squash Cupcakes”

  1. #
    1
    Karina — November 19, 2010 at 12:29 pm

    Wow, that sounds interesting and wacky enough to be delicious! I will give them a try for sure.

  2. #
    2
    oneordinaryday — November 19, 2010 at 1:02 pm

    This looks gorgeous and I bet it tastes wonderful. I love baking with zucchini and carrots, so this isn’t far-fetched at all. And the ginger on top is the perfect finish.

  3. #
    3
    EliFla — November 19, 2010 at 2:21 pm

    HAppy to be your 705th follower!!!
    These cupcakes are wonderful…ciao Flavia

  4. #
    4
    Megan — November 19, 2010 at 2:37 pm

    Okay. I thought the lasagna roll-ups were cool, but you’ve out-done yourself here. I’m so intrigued! These are going on my “must bake soon” list!

  5. #
    5
    Fun and Fearless in Beantown — November 19, 2010 at 3:33 pm

    You are constantly outdoing yourself with new and interesting ingredients. These look AWESOME!

  6. #
    6
    theblogisthenewblack — November 19, 2010 at 4:20 pm

    Wow, what a great idea. Looks delicious!

  7. #
    7
    Lauren — November 19, 2010 at 4:23 pm

    Awesome cupcakes! I love adding fruit and veggie purees to baked goods, and must try butternut squash :).

  8. #
    8
    Daisy — November 19, 2010 at 4:58 pm

    most favorites of all time! wow!
    What a great idea to use the signature ingredient in a cupcake. these look perfect.

  9. #
    9
    Nutmeg Nanny — November 19, 2010 at 5:50 pm

    Yum! I love that you topped it with crystallized ginger…one of my favorites!

  10. #
    10
    Kelsey — November 19, 2010 at 5:56 pm

    I love everything about this recipe. What a great post!

  11. #
    11
    Kathleen — November 20, 2010 at 2:20 am

    These look amazing!!!!

  12. #
    12
    The Small Boston Kitchen — November 20, 2010 at 3:21 pm

    It doesn’t surprise me that you made them into cupcakes! I’m willing to bet I would like these….they look amazing!

  13. #
    13
    Sherry G — November 20, 2010 at 6:46 pm

    These look absolutely wonderful! I love cupcakes and I have never thought of trying this. These are bombbb!

Leave a Comment