Salted Caramel Sauce – Perfect for Holiday Gifting
Nothing says holiday magic like homemade salted caramel. This easy salted caramel recipe is rich, buttery, and perfectly balanced with a hint of flaky sea salt. It’s ideal for holiday gifting, drizzling over desserts, or even enjoying straight from the jar.
At The Mad Table, we love making this sweet treat with kids or as a special homemade gift that friends and family will rave about.
Ingredients
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 6 tablespoons salted butter, room temperature and cut into 6 pieces
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon flaky sea salt
Instructions
Melt the Sugar
Heat the granulated sugar in a medium pan over medium heat. Resist stirring at first. Watch as the edges of the sugar begin to melt and turn amber. Once it starts melting, stir gently with a rubber spatula or wooden spoon. The sugar will form clumps and eventually smooth into a thick, golden-brown liquid. Be careful not to burn.
Add the Butter
Immediately add the butter once the sugar is fully melted. The caramel will bubble rapidly, so be cautious. Stir until the butter is fully incorporated, about 2 minutes. If it separates, remove from heat and whisk vigorously to combine.
Pour in the Cream
Slowly add the heavy cream while stirring. The caramel will bubble vigorously because the cream is cold. Allow the mixture to boil for 1 minute. It will rise in the pan as it boils.
Add the Salt
Remove the pan from heat and stir in 1 teaspoon of flaky sea salt. Let the caramel cool slightly before using. Enjoy as a topping, a gift, or straight from the spoon!
Chef Tips from The Mad Table
- Use room-temperature butter for smooth incorporation.
- Don’t stir sugar immediately to prevent crystallization.
- Pour cream slowly to avoid dangerous splatters.
- Store in a jar for gifting or up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator.
- Pair with desserts like brownies, ice cream, or drizzled over cookies.
Why This Salted Caramel is Perfect for Holiday Gifting
This homemade caramel is:
- Quick and easy to make
- Luxuriously smooth and rich
- Beautiful in a jar for thoughtful gifts
- Loved by kids and adults alike
Whether for cookie exchanges, holiday treats, or DIY gifts, this salted caramel is a crowd-pleaser and a kitchen favorite around here!
Salted Caramel
Ingredients
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 6 tablespoons salted butter, room temperature and cut up into 6 pieces
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon flaky sea salt
Instructions
- Heat granulated sugar in a medium pan over medium heat (try to resist stirring in the very beginning). Once the sugar begins to melt and the edges start to change color, then you can stir with a rubber spatula or wooden spoon. Sugar will form clumps and eventually melt into a thick brown, amber-colored liquid as you continue to stir. Be careful not to burn.
- Once sugar is completely melted, immediately add the butter. Be careful in this step because the caramel will bubble rapidly when the butter is added.
- Stir the butter into the caramel until it is completely melted, about 2 minutes. If you notice the butter separating, remove from heat and vigorously whisk to combine it again.
- Slowly pour in heavy cream while stirring. Since the heavy cream is colder than the caramel, the mixture will rapidly bubble when added. Allow the mixture to boil for 1 minute. It will rise in the pan as it boils.
- Remove from heat and stir in 1 teaspoon of salt. Allow to slightly cool down before using. Enjoy!