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Once you learn how to make homemade salted caramel sauce, you may never want to buy a jar from the store again. This rich, buttery caramel is smooth, sweet, and finished with just enough sea salt to balance everything out.

And the best part? You only need a handful of simple ingredients to make it.

Homemade salted caramel sauce is one of those recipes that sounds a little intimidating, but it really isn't difficult once you know what to watch for. The biggest secret is simply staying by the stove and watching the color of the sugar. Caramel can go from beautifully amber to burnt pretty quickly!

I love keeping a jar of this sauce in the refrigerator for drizzling over ice cream, cheesecake, brownies, apple pie, or even my morning coffee. During the fall, it's especially good drizzled over anything apple or pumpkin.

Why You'll Love This Salted Caramel Sauce

There are so many reasons to make caramel sauce from scratch.

• You only need 5 simple ingredients.
• It takes about 15 minutes to make.
• You can control exactly how salty you want it.
• It keeps well in the refrigerator.
• It's perfect for desserts, drinks, pancakes, and more.
• A jar of homemade caramel makes a wonderful edible gift.

Plus, homemade caramel has a deeper, buttery flavor that you just don't get from most bottled caramel sauces.

How to make Your Own Salted Caramel Sauce

Simply start by gathering all your ingredients — sugar, butter, heavy cream, and salt. That is really all you need to make a good caramel sauce.

Start by adding in your sugar and water. Now, cook over medium-high heat until you see the sugar starting to caramelize.

Once it begins to brown, add in your heavy cream. Be very careful as to not burn yourself. It will put off a lot of steam at this point. you will want to get it off the heat.

If you cook it too long, it will turn into caramels and you do not want that, I promise you. You are looking for a luxurious sauce that is thick and pourable.

Once you remove it from the heat, add in your butter and salt. Mix together and enjoy!

You can store your caramel sauce in these easy squeeze jars. 

Tips for Perfect Homemade Salted Caramel Sauce

Caramel isn't complicated, but it does require your full attention. Don't start melting the sugar and then walk away to answer the phone!

Here are a few things that will help:

Use a heavy-bottomed saucepan. This helps the sugar heat more evenly and reduces the chance of scorching.

Have everything measured before you start. Once the sugar melts, the process moves quickly. Have your butter, cream, vanilla, and salt ready beside the stove.

Be careful when adding the butter and cream. The caramel is extremely hot and will bubble vigorously.

Don't panic if it looks strange at first. Melting sugar often goes through a clumpy stage before turning into smooth caramel.

Don't overcook the sugar. Once it reaches that deep amber color, move on to the next step.

How to Store Homemade Salted Caramel

Once the caramel has cooled, transfer it to an airtight glass jar and store it in the refrigerator.

The caramel sauce will keep for about 2 weeks when properly refrigerated.

It will become quite thick when chilled. To make it pourable again, scoop out what you need and gently warm it in the microwave in short intervals, stirring between each one.

You can also place the jar in a bowl of warm water until the caramel loosens.

Looking for more delicious condiments and sauces? Check these out!

• Easy Homemade Hot Fudge Sauce
• Homemade Sweet and Sour Sauce
• Restaurant Style Mexican Cheese Dip