6 Minute Caramel Recipe

 

Whip up a luxurious, silky-smooth caramel sauce in just minutes with this incredibly simple recipe. Perfect for drizzling over ice cream, pancakes, or your favorite desserts!

Yields: About 1 cup
Prep time: 1 minute
Cook time: 5-6 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 cup granulated sugar

• ¼ cup water

• ½ cup heavy cream, at room temperature

• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract (optional, but recommended)

• A pinch of fine sea salt (to balance the sweetness)

Instructions

1. Combine Sugar and Water: In a medium, heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine the granulated sugar and water. Gently swirl the pan to ensure all the sugar is moistened. This helps prevent premature crystallization.

2. Dissolve the Sugar: Place the saucepan over medium-high heat. Let the mixture come to a simmer without stirring. The sugar will completely dissolve and the syrup will become clear. This should take 2-3 minutes.

3. Cook to Perfection: Continue to cook, without stirring, as the syrup begins to bubble. Watch closely as the bubbles become smaller and the syrup slowly changes color. After 4-6 minutes, it will turn a rich, golden amber. This is your cue that it's done!

4. Carefully Add Cream: Immediately remove the pan from the heat. Slowly and carefully pour in the heavy cream while whisking continuously. The mixture will bubble and steam vigorously—this is normal, so stand back a little and keep whisking.

5. Finish the Sauce: Once the cream is fully incorporated and the bubbling has subsided, whisk in the vanilla extract and a pinch of salt until the sauce is perfectly smooth and silky.

6. Serve and Enjoy! Allow the caramel to cool slightly before diving in. Drizzle it warm over ice cream, cheesecake, or fresh fruit. Store any leftovers in a jar in the refrigerator.

Chef's Tips for Success

• Don't Stir! Resist the urge to stir the sugar as it cooks. Swirling the pan gently is okay if you see hotspots, but stirring can cause the sugar to crystallize.

• Watch Closely: Caramel can go from perfect to burnt in seconds. Never walk away from the pan during the cooking process.

• Safety First: The caramel is extremely hot. Use caution when adding the cream and handle the pot with care.