Maple Sea Salt Caramel Sauce

🕒 Prep: 5 min
🔥 Cook: 10 min
🍽 Serves: 8
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Here's a delightful twist on classic caramel sauce — Maple Sea Salt Caramel Sauce. This recipe combines the rich flavors of maple syrup with the subtle kick of sea salt, creating a sauce that's perfect for drizzling over desserts or mixing into your morning coffee.

Ingredients for Maple Sea Salt Caramel Sauce

Granulated sugar is the base of our caramel, providing the sweetness and caramelization. Combining it with water helps to evenly dissolve the sugar, preventing crystallization. Heavy cream adds a rich, creamy texture that makes the sauce luscious and silky. The unsalted butter enhances the flavor, adding richness and a smooth consistency. Pure maple syrup infuses the caramel with a deep, earthy sweetness that elevates the sauce to something extraordinary. Sea salt is crucial for balance — it cuts through the sweetness and enhances the complexity of the flavors. Finally, vanilla extract rounds everything off with a warm, aromatic finish.

Tips & Tricks

  • If your sugar starts to crystallize, add a few drops of lemon juice to prevent it from seizing.
  • For a deeper flavor, use dark maple syrup instead of light.
  • Avoid stirring once the sugar syrup starts boiling; instead, gently swirl the pan.

Serving Suggestions

This caramel sauce is a match made in heaven for vanilla ice cream or warm apple pie. Drizzle it over pancakes or waffles for a decadent breakfast treat. For a savory twist, try it with grilled peaches and a scoop of ricotta cheese.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use salted butter?
Yes, but reduce the amount of sea salt to avoid an overly salty sauce.
How should I store the caramel sauce?
Keep it in a sealed jar in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
Can I reheat the sauce?
Absolutely! Gently warm it in the microwave or on the stove before using.

Maple Sea Salt Caramel Sauce Recipe Walkthrough

Start by grabbing a medium-sized saucepan. Combine your sugar and water over medium heat. Swirl the pan occasionally to help the sugar dissolve, but resist the urge to stir. As tempting as it is, stirring can cause crystallization. Once the sugar has dissolved, increase the heat and bring the mixture to a boil. Keep an eye on it; you're looking for a rich amber color, which should take around 5 to 7 minutes. Once the color is just right, take it off the heat immediately.

Now, carefully whisk in the heavy cream. It may bubble up vigorously, so be cautious. Whisk until smooth, then add in the butter, followed by the maple syrup, sea salt, and vanilla extract. Keep whisking until all the ingredients are fully combined and the sauce is smooth.

Let the sauce cool slightly before transferring it to a jar. It will thicken as it cools, so don't worry if it seems a bit runny at first.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • The addition of maple syrup gives it a unique, rich flavor.
  • Sea salt adds a perfect balance, enhancing the sweetness.
  • It's versatile and elevates any dessert.
  • Quick and easy to make with simple ingredients.

Ingredients

1 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup water
1/2 cup heavy cream
2 tbsp unsalted butter
1/4 cup pure maple syrup
1 tsp sea salt
1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Step-by-step Instructions

1. In a medium saucepan, combine sugar and water over medium heat, swirling until sugar dissolves.
2. Increase heat and bring to a boil without stirring until the mixture turns a rich amber color.
3. Remove from heat and carefully whisk in heavy cream until smooth.
4. Add butter, maple syrup, sea salt, and vanilla, whisking until fully combined.
5. Let the sauce cool slightly before transferring to a jar for storage.

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