This easy Microwave Caramel Sauce Recipe comes together like magic in under 10 minutes!
Drizzle caramel sauce in your coffee, add it to a bowl of ice cream, or use it as a dip for fresh apple slices.
Why This Microwave Caramel Sauce Recipe is So Good
- It's Made in the Microwave! It takes less than 10 minutes in the microwave to make this dark, creamy caramel sauce. There's no standing by the stove, stirring constantly. This recipe is almost entirely hands-off!
- Keep it in the fridge - Once you've made this caramel sauce, you can store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks. This way, you'll have it on hand whenever you want to make an ice cream sundae, use it as a cake filling, or dip some apple slices into it.
- Add it to ice cream - if you want a quick sweet topping to add to your ice cream, this is it! I'd recommend adding it to Fat Elvis Ice Cream.
Tips and Tricks for Making Easy Microwave Caramel Sauce
- Corn syrup, while not an ingredient I reach for often, is very helpful in this microwaved caramel sauce. The liquid sugar helps prevent crystallization.
- You'll be microwaving the ingredients for 6-9 minutes. I like to stir the mixture only 1 time about halfway through. This will ensure that each and every sugar crystal is incorporated, to keep the sauce from being grainy.
- It won't look like caramel at first! The mixture will be a light yellow color after you microwave it.
- The key to getting a homemade caramel sauce made in the microwave this gorgeous dark amber color is time! After the cooking time is finished, just let the caramel cool down in the microwave without touching it for 5 minutes.
- If your kitchen is particularly cold, you may find that the caramel cools too fast and it's more difficult to mix in the cream at the end. Keep this in mind, and try to save this recipe for a warmer day.
What to Serve With Microwave Caramel Sauce
Caramel Sauce is delicious on so many things! Use it to make a delicious Apple Snicker Salad, or drizzle it over a Protein Mug Cake.
Microwave caramel is also delicious on Sweet Potato Brownies or Aquafaba Mousse!
Try stirring caramel into cocktails, milkshakes, or make this spiced caramel cider recipe.
More Tasty Sweet Recipes
- Caramelized Bananas
- Vegan Coconut Cream Pie
- White Chocolate Chex Mix
- Pumpkin Cream Cheese Dip
- Vegan Caramel
- Cashew Brittle
- Peanut Candy
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Microwave Caramel Sauce
This easy Microwave Caramel Sauce Recipe comes together like magic in under 10 minutes!
Ingredients
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons corn syrup
- 3 tablespoons water
- ½ cup heavy cream room temperature
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
Instructions
- In a microwave-safe glass measuring cup (at least 4 cups large) or medium bowl, add the granulated sugar, corn syrup and water. Mix to combine.
- Microwave on high for 6-9 minutes, stirring once at the 3-minute mark, until the mixture is just starting to turn a light yellow color.
- Leave the door closed on the microwave and let the mixture sit for about 5 minutes, until it darkens to golden amber color. Do not stir yet.
- Then gradually stir in the room temperature heavy cream. Be careful, as the mixture will bubble up as the cream gets added.
- Then, add the unsalted butter, vanilla extract and sea salt. Stir to combine.
- Serve immediately or store in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks until ready to use.
Notes
- Corn syrup, while not an ingredient I reach for often, is very helpful in this microwaved caramel sauce. The liquid sugar helps prevent crystallization.
- You'll be microwaving the ingredients for 6-9 minutes. I like to stir the mixture only 1 time about halfway through. This will ensure that each and every sugar crystal is incorporated, to keep the sauce from being grainy.
- It won't look like caramel at first! The mixture will be a light yellow color after you microwave it.
- The key to getting a homemade caramel sauce made in the microwave this gorgeous dark amber color is time! After the cooking time is finished, just let the caramel cool down in the microwave without touching it for 5 minutes.
- If your kitchen is particularly cold, you may find that the caramel cools too fast and it's more difficult to mix in the cream at the end. Keep this in mind, and try to save this recipe for a warmer day.
Nutrition
Serving: 1recipeCalories: 1598kcalCarbohydrates: 248gProtein: 14gFat: 68gSaturated Fat: 32gPolyunsaturated Fat: 8gMonounsaturated Fat: 23gCholesterol: 134mgSodium: 654mgPotassium: 391mgFiber: 2gSugar: 242gVitamin A: 1749IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 112mgIron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
The was fast and easy, however, be very careful not to cook the entire 9 minutes, I burned my first batch (and my 3rd). Probably better to cook 6 min or just a few seconds more.
Hi Sandy, thanks for letting us know! The watts on the microwave can make a huge difference. Starting out with the lower time is a great way to test it! Glad the second batch worked out well!