How to Make Salted Caramel at Home – 7 Caramel Recipes for Cake and More

Salted caramel is one of the most popular additions to various desserts. Its preparation doesn't require many ingredients, and the process itself is quite simple—you just need to be careful and meticulous. The result is a sweet treat with a delicate flavor and an interesting texture.

You don't have to go to restaurants or buy desserts at pastry shops to try this delicious sauce. Today, we'll talk about how to make your own salted caramel at home. In this collection, you'll find recipes for any occasion: for cake layers, for macarons, and even for regular classics. A few special life hacks below will also help you avoid any pitfalls.

Salted Caramel for Snickers Cake

Snickers cake has become one of the most classic treats around the world. This is no surprise, as it's perfect for celebrating absolutely any occasion, and it's a favorite dessert for men's parties. The key ingredient in this treat is caramel, so it's crucial to prepare it correctly. Follow this recipe and you'll get a delicious caramel syrup with a secret ingredient: salt crystals.

Ingredients

• Sugar – 150 g
• Glucose syrup – 50 g
• Butter – 30 g
• Cream (from 30%) – 200 ml
• Salt – 3 g

 Cooking time: 40 minutes

Number of servings: 400-500 g

Step-by-step recipe

Step 1

Place glucose syrup in a saucepan.

Step 2

Pour sugar into the same container.

Step 3

Heat the cream to a temperature of 60 degrees.

Step 4

Place the pan with sugar on the fire and stir gently.

Step 5

When it turns amber, remove the pan from the heat.

Step 6

Add butter to the caramel and stir quickly.

Step 7

Pour in the hot cream in several stages, mixing everything thoroughly.

Step 8

Return the pan to the stove and cook the caramel for another 3-5 minutes.

Step 9

When large bubbles appear and the caramel becomes thicker, remove it from the heat.

Step 10

Pour the caramel into another container.

Step 11

Add salt to the sauce and stir. Let the caramel cool at room temperature, or you can refrigerate it, before assembling the cake.

We can add peanuts directly to the caramel, or simply sprinkle the nuts on our sauce while assembling the cake.

Salted caramel for macarons

Macarons are among the most popular treats not only in France but throughout the world. These neat, colorful pastries look beautiful in bright, festive packaging, making them a perfect gift. Salted caramel macarons are a classic flavor, and if you decide to make this sweet treat, it's important to carefully prepare the sugar sauce. Follow this recipe and you'll have exquisite caramel on your first try.

Ingredients

• Sugar – 200 g
• Cream (from 33%) – 200 g
• Butter (82.5%) – 140 g
• Gelatin (sheet) – 5 g
• Salt – 2 g

 Cooking time: 35 minutes

Number of servings: 400 g

Step-by-step recipe

Step 1

Pour sugar into a saucepan with a thick bottom.

Step 2

Place this pan over low heat and stir constantly. The mixture should turn a rich amber color.

Step 3

Turn off the heat and gradually pour the cream, heated to 60 degrees Celsius, into the caramel, stirring until the mixture becomes lighter in color.

Step 4

Add the swollen gelatin to the caramel and mix until smooth.

Step 5

Pour the resulting sauce into another container.

Step 6

When the mixture has cooled to 35 degrees, add cold butter to it.

Step 7

Blend the mixture with a blender until the consistency becomes more delicate.

Step 8

Add salt, stir and leave the caramel until it is completely stabilized.

Salted caramel with milk

Caramel is typically made with cream. But substituting milk for this ingredient produces a just as good result. The syrup retains its smooth, creamy flavor. Just pay attention to the proportions and stick to them. This recipe will produce caramel right the first time and makes a wonderful addition to pancakes, crepes, syrniki, ice cream, and other dishes.

Ingredients

• Sugar – 300 g
• Butter – 100 g
• Milk (from 2.5%) – 150 ml
• Salt – to taste

 Cooking time: 30 minutes

Number of servings: 400 g

Step-by-step recipe

Step 1

Pour sugar into a saucepan with a thick bottom.

Step 2

Place this pan on medium heat and do not stir the sugar.

Step 3

Once all the sugar has dissolved, add the butter and mix until smooth.

Step 4

Preheat the milk, but don't let it boil. Gradually pour the milk into the caramel in a thin stream and mix thoroughly.

Step 5

Cook the caramel for about 5 more minutes.

Step 6

Then add salt and mix again.

Step 7

Remove the caramel from the heat and let it cool at room temperature.

Step 8

After cooling, pour the caramel sauce into another container.

Step 9

Place the caramel in the refrigerator, after which it will thicken and become more viscous.

Salted caramel without cream

If you're looking for a delicious topping for pancakes and crepes, or a filling for cakes and pastries, salted caramel is a great, foolproof option. Many people shy away from making this sweet treat due to rumors about how difficult it is. Try making caramel sauce using this recipe, and you'll instantly dispel all those stereotypes, as you'll end up with a delicious treat, even if you're a complete novice cook.

Ingredients

• Sugar – 100 g
• Milk – 100 ml
• Butter – 20 g
• Flour – 1 tsp. without top
• Salt - a pinch

 Cooking time: 30 minutes

Number of servings: 250 g

Step-by-step recipe

Step 1

Pour flour into a frying pan with a thick bottom and fry it, stirring, until a nutty aroma appears.

Step 2

Add sugar to the flour.

Step 3

Also add butter to the frying pan.

Step 4

Stir everything carefully.

Step 5

When all the sugar has dissolved and the caramel has turned amber, remove the pan from the heat.

Step 6

Next, gradually pour hot milk into the caramel and stir.

Step 7

Return the pan to the heat, stir in any lumps, and once the caramel has become smooth, remove it from the heat and add salt.

Step 8

Pour the caramel into another container.

Step 9

We can use the resulting sauce immediately, or we can put it in the refrigerator, after which it will become thicker.

Salted Caramel, Andy Chef's Recipe

A recipe that uses gelatin is ideal for using the resulting syrup when the caramel needs to hold its shape. It's also a great option for decorating a cake with drips and various patterns. These instructions are a slightly simplified version of Andy Chef's recipe. The original used invert syrup to prevent the caramel sauce from crystallizing. You can simply add water without stirring the sugar, which achieves the same effect.

Ingredients

• Granulated sugar – 100 g
• Cream 33% fat – 100 g
• Butter – 40 g
• Water – 30 g
• Gelatin – 5 g
• Salt – 2 g

 Cooking time: 30 minutes

Number of servings: 200-300 g

Step-by-step recipe

Step 1

We prepare all the necessary ingredients.

Step 2

Soak sheet gelatin in water.

Step 3

Pour sugar into a saucepan with a thick bottom.

Step 4

Add 30 g of water to the sugar.

Step 5

Place the saucepan over medium heat, do not stir anything.

Step 6

Boil the sugar until it turns amber.

Step 7

Slowly pour the cream heated to 60 degrees into the caramel and mix everything.

Step 8

Once all the cream has been poured in, add the butter and stir. Bring the caramel to a temperature of 105 degrees Celsius or boil for 2-3 minutes.

Step 9

Remove the caramel from the heat and immediately add the gelatin, stirring until smooth.

Step 10

Pour the resulting syrup into a container and leave it to cool at room temperature.

5 Secrets to Making Salted Caramel from a Pastry Chef

Every experienced cook has their own special tricks for achieving the perfect result. Use these life hacks to ensure your salted caramel turns out smooth and creamy:

• Be sure to melt the sugar in a heavy-bottomed container, ideally with thick sides. This will ensure even dissolution. Otherwise, the sugar will be burnt at the bottom and unmelted crystals will remain at the top.

• Don't stir the sugar until at least 70% of the crystals have dissolved. Instead, gently shake the saucepan to distribute the sugar evenly. If you ignore this advice, your caramel will simply crystallize.
• Be sure to heat the cream or milk to 80-90 degrees Celsius. Bring it to a boil and immediately turn off the heat. If you use cold cream or milk, the mixture will begin to boil vigorously and spill over the pan. If these ingredients are added too hot, a skin will form on the caramel.

• Don't leave the finished caramel in the pan until it cools completely. This can cause it to stick to the pan, making it difficult to clean. Let the sauce cool slightly, then pour it into the container you plan to store the caramel in.

• If your caramel has an uneven texture, simply puree it with a blender. The whipped salted caramel will become even softer and more delicate in taste, reminiscent of cream.

Where can you use salted caramel besides cake?

One of the most classic uses for syrup is layering or decorating a cake with caramel. But if you have this delicacy on hand and don't plan on spending time cooking, you can add caramel sauce in the following situations:

• As a topping for blini, fritters, pancakes, and syrniki. All these dishes pair perfectly with caramel, and the salt adds a special spiciness. Try adding this to your breakfast, and your morning will be much more enjoyable.

• Like syrup in coffee. You've probably noticed the variety of syrups on display at coffee shops. One of the most popular flavors is caramel. Now you don't have to buy this drink; you can easily make it at home.

• Used as a filling for cupcakes and macarons, these small desserts have won millions of fans worldwide. They are even given in beautifully decorated boxes for Valentine's Day, March 8, and other holidays.

• As a topping for ice cream. If you've purchased this treat and decided to customize it to your liking, consider caramel sauce. It pairs well with vanilla, chocolate, pistachio, and other ice creams. The added salt prevents the flavor from becoming too sweet.

• As a topping for popcorn. You've probably bought this popular treat at the movie theater many times. If you decide to make it at home, don't forget to add your favorite topping.

Video: How to Make Salted Caramel at Home

If you're just starting to explore the fascinating world of pastry but are eager to delight your loved ones with a delicious caramel dessert, check out this video recipe. The author is one of the most popular food bloggers. He's loved for his simple and clear explanations, unique tips and tricks, and timeless recipes. Try making caramel following this video, and you'll have a fabulous treat on your first try.