Well, I have a caramel sauce recipe already on the blog for you. In fact, my caramel sauce is really delicious and one that gets licked off the bowl to the very end. And, yet, when it comes to filling in cakes, tarts, or desserts I use this one made with condensed milk.
Why make this recipe?
If you love caramel then you will love this better than any other caramel sauce you have ever eaten. It is really creamy and melts in the mouth. It does not have the sharp burnt sugar taste or flavor. I recently used it to make my salted caramel tart and had everyone rave so much about it. You can also use it as a filling for macarons, cream puffs, profiteroles, chocolate bon bons.
Ingredients and substitutes
Golden syrup – This gives this caramel that beautiful golden color but it is also an invert sugar which means it helps prevent crystallization. You can also use dark corn syrup Brown sugar – You can use white sugar but I prefer the brown to get a darker caramel color. You can use both light or dark sugar. Butter – everything tastes better with butter could not be more right with this recipe. Add a nice richness to the caramel. Sweetened condensed milk – This is a great way to add a lot of cream without spending too much time stirring the mixture for hours. Makes the caramel creamy. You can use homemade condensed milk for this recipe as well. Vanilla – condensed milk does have vanilla added to it and yet, I do like to add a bit more extract just to enhance the flavor.
Step-by-step: Caramel filling for cakes, desserts
Place brown sugar, golden syrup, and butter in a heavy-bottom saucepan over medium heat. Stir until all the butter has melted and the sugar has dissolved.Pro tip – Stir often and the heat to medium otherwise the sugar around the edges will burn and give the caramel a burnt taste.
Reduce the heat and continue to cook until the mixture becomes darker in color. This takes about 2 to 3 minutes.Pro tip – once all the moisture has evaporated the sugar will start to caramelize further. This will give the caramel a deeper color. Next, reduce the heat to low. Add the condensed milk and let come to a boil on low heat again.Pro tip- when you add the condensed milk the mixture may appear curdled or separated but just combine and it will all become smooth.
Cook on low for about another minute or two stirring constantly. The mixture will get thicker. Add the vanilla extract and take it off the heat.Pro tip – we want a smooth creamy texture that coats the back of a spoon. Set aside to cool slightly before you pour into a mason jar or fill a tart.Pro tip – The mixture will continue to thicken as it cools. You can pour warm caramel into a tart to help it smooth out easily. Enjoy!
Tips for making condensed milk caramel sauce
Use Sweetened Condensed Milk: Start with sweetened condensed milk. It contains sugar and is thick and creamy, which makes it ideal for caramelization. Choose the Cooking Method: There are a few ways to make caramel sauce from condensed milk: stovetop, oven, or slow cooker. Each method has its pros and cons. The stovetop method is the quickest but requires more attention, while the oven and slow cooker methods are more hands-off but take longer. Stovetop Method: Pour the sweetened condensed milk into a heavy-bottomed saucepan. Heat the milk over low to medium-low heat, stirring constantly with a heat-resistant spatula or whisk. This process requires patience and attention to prevent burning or sticking. Oven Method: Transfer the sweetened condensed milk to an oven-safe dish (like a pie plate or baking dish) and cover it tightly with aluminum foil. Place the dish in a larger roasting pan, add hot water to the pan to create a water bath, and bake at a low temperature (around 350°F or 175°C) for 1.5 to 2 hours or until the milk turns into a rich caramel color. Slow Cooker Method: Pour the sweetened condensed milk into a mason jar or a heat-safe container with a lid. Place the container in the slow cooker and fill the slow cooker with enough water to cover the milk. Cook on low heat for 8 to 10 hours or overnight. Water Bath: When using the oven or slow cooker method, the water bath is crucial for even cooking and preventing the condensed milk from scorching. Make sure to check the water level periodically and add more hot water if needed. Patience is Key: Whichever method you choose, making condensed milk caramel sauce requires patience. Slow, steady cooking is necessary to achieve the right consistency and color. Cooling and Storage: Once the condensed milk has caramelized to your desired color and thickness, remove it from the heat source and let it cool completely. It will thicken further as it cools. Transfer the caramel sauce to a clean, airtight jar, and store it in the refrigerator. Variations: For additional flavor, you can add a pinch of salt, vanilla extract, or even a splash of rum to the caramel sauce while it’s still warm.
Homemade Caramel Sauce Perfect Homemade Butterscotch Sauce Homemade Chocolate Syrup How to Make Homemade Condensed Milk Evaporated Milk Recipe from Scratch
Frequently asked questions
Creative ways to use caramel sauce
Caramel Apple Nachos: Arrange sliced apples on a plate and drizzle caramel sauce over them. Top with chopped nuts, mini chocolate chips, and a sprinkle of cinnamon for a fun and delicious treat. Caramel Stuffed Brownies: Bake a batch of brownies and create a small well in the center of each one. Fill the wells with caramel sauce, and then top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of more caramel sauce. Caramel Popcorn: Drizzle warm caramel sauce over freshly popped popcorn and toss gently to coat. Bake in the oven for a few minutes for a crunchy caramel popcorn treat. Caramel Dip for Pretzels: Warm caramel sauce and serve it as a dipping sauce for pretzels, creating a sweet and salty combination. Caramel Affogato: Pour a shot of espresso over a scoop of vanilla ice cream, and drizzle caramel sauce over the top for a delicious caramel affogato. Caramel Mocha: Make a caramel mocha by adding a spoonful of caramel sauce to your favorite coffee or espresso, along with steamed milk and a dollop of whipped cream. Caramel Cheesecake Bars: Swirl caramel sauce into the batter of cheesecake bars before baking for a luscious and indulgent dessert. Caramel Banana Split: Create a banana split with sliced bananas, scoops of vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry ice cream, whipped cream, chopped nuts, and a generous drizzle of caramel sauce. Caramel Rice Krispie Treats: Mix warm caramel sauce into Rice Krispie treats before pressing them into a pan. The caramel adds a delicious twist to this classic treat. Caramel Cream Puffs: Fill cream puffs with whipped cream and drizzle caramel sauce over the top for an elegant and tasty dessert. Caramel Hot Chocolate: Stir caramel sauce into hot chocolate for a rich and indulgent caramel hot cocoa. Caramel Waffle Sundae: Layer caramel sauce between waffle pieces and top with a scoop of ice cream and fresh berries for a delectable caramel waffle sundae.
Did you LIKE this recipe? Save it for later. You can find my recipes on Pinterest. Follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.Subscribe, and I’ll send you new recipes right to your inbox. Thank you for sharing - Save for later
