Well how's this for starting your Tuesday off right? Caramel sauce loaded with deep dark brown sugar flavor and spiced up with cinnamon.
I'll kindly look the other way if you'd like to dive in, mouth first.
So the Super Bowl has come and gone, and while I'm not a fan of the sport itself, I'm the stereotypical commercial-watching, food-annihilating kind of watcher. I used the day as an excuse to eat wings for lunch and dinner, never change out of my sweatpants, and tear up at every.single.commercial. I think I've also figured out my Halloween costume nine months in advance (dancing shark a la Halftime Show, anyone?)
Amidst all of the wings/buffalo sauce/dip/chips/serious eats, I got the biggest craving for SWEET. Sweet sweet sweet. Probably because my mouth was burning off from all the hot sauce I consumed, but that's my own fault.
I figured let me make something I can eat by the spoonful, pour over ice cream, use in recipes, and dip cookies in, all the while being fridge storable for future sweet cravings. And that, my friends, is how that craving + those thoughts + minimal ingredients = one fabulously addicting cinnamon brown sugar caramel sauce.
This caramel sauce comes together in less than a half hour, meaning you can whip it up after dinner and enjoy in time for a little ice cream night cap (warm sauce drizzled over ice cream? Ohmygawwwd.) It's made with 100% brown sugar, so the flavor is ultra rich and the color is deeper than standard caramel sauce. I think I'd like to add it to every dessert or sweet treat I eat in the foreseeable future - that good.
You'll start by melting the brown sugar on the stove top until it's gooey and smooth. Butter and cream are then added to the mix, along with a splash of vanilla extract and a bit of cinnamon. The cinnamon warms up the sauce and adds an extra layer of flavor, but really doesn't overpower it. I love cinnamon and all, but caramel-flavored cinnamon sauce isn't quite what I had in mind.
Something I've found a little tricky about making homemade caramel sauce is dealing with the hardened sugar/butter/cream mixture that inevitably ends up stuck to the sides of the pan. You don't want to waste any of that fab concoction, right? Once all of the ingredients were added, I worked my arm muscles big time and scraped off the little bits that were stuck, and set the pan back on the stove top over low-medium heat. Then it was whisk baby whisk...and then whisk some more. With some time, the lumps nearly all melted away and the sauce thickened up beautifully. Coupled with pouring the sauce through a strainer into the jar, you can kiss any of those pesky, stubborn lumps goodbye!
Cinnamon Brown Sugar Caramel Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 5 tablespoon unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Add brown sugar to a medium-sized saucepan set over medium-high heat, and stir just about constantly until it becomes gooey and melts. For me, it started to melt after about 7-8 minutes. Keep stirring until melted sugar is smooth and no lumps remain, about 3-4 minutes more. Remove saucepan from heat.
- Add butter to pan and whisk until butter is melted and mixed with the brown sugar. Going very slowly as to avoid too much bubbling, pour in heavy cream while stirring. You may need to use some elbow grease in order to minimize the mixture sticking to the sides of the pan and integrate all of the ingredients. Stir in vanilla extract and cinnamon until evenly combined.
- If you'd like a thicker sauce or if there are brown sugar lumps remaining, place saucepan over low-medium heat and stir frequently, taking care to ensure mixture doesn't overcook.
- Once caramel sauce has thickened and smoothed out to your desired consistency (see note), pour sauce into a glass container or jar and let cool sitting at room temperature. Refrigerate once cooled.
Notes
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Nutrition
Nutritional information is provided as an estimate. As it can vary due to many factors (brands used, quantities, etc.), we cannot guarantee its accuracy.
Food Safety and Nutrition Disclaimer
Donny J. Canup says
Following instructions led to the sugar seizing as soon as butter is added.
Jinger says
It came out so nice. We used it as a drizzle when making pancakes for our family brunch today. Delicious!
Alyssa says
I'm so glad you and your family liked it, Jinger!
Teri says
I made this sauce added a bit more cinnamon and pinch of cloves for the layers in my Christmas star bread. Wow
Bianca @ Confessions of a Chocoholic says
I want a giant bowl of this caramel right now! Thanks for the tips on getting it lump free.
Alyssa says
Thanks Bianca! I've been having to control myself big time. 🙂
Anna @ shenANNAgans says
The cinnamon totes gives it that something special. I need this in my life. Although, might have to wait until March, I am doing a 30 day bikram yoga / no sugar / no booze challenge. 🙂 As always, amazing photos, I leaned in to lick my computer screen. LOL!
Alyssa says
Oh! You are a strooooong woman! Seriously though, that's fantastic and I bet you will feel like a million bucks once March rolls around. This sauce will be here waiting for ya! 😉
Medha @ Whisk & Shout says
Yum, this looks amazing! I'd eat this up so quickly 🙂
Alyssa says
Thanks Medha! It definitely disappeared in no time around here! 😉
Julia Olsen says
Gosh, it looks delicious! It's a must try for me! Yum!
I'm cooking on youtube and I've just uploaded a recipe for homemade falafels, hope you will check it out! Thank you! 🙂 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anFe4nYoX9s
Thank you for an awesome recipe!
Alyssa says
Thanks Julia! I love falafel but haven't actually made it myself yet...I should watch your video! 🙂
marcie says
I LOVE caramel sauce and brown sugar, so this is super delicious looking! I love having a nice caramel sauce in the fridge to make desserts extra special, and this looks perfect!
Alyssa says
I've been so tempted to add this to absolutely everything, and I mean everything! Bread even haha It's definitely a special touch to add to desserts! Thanks Marcie!
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
This caramel sauce sounds amazing, Alyssa! I love your creativity with adding brown sugar and cinnamon. I think I could eat this with just my spoon! Love!!
Alyssa says
Thanks so much Gayle! Eating this by the spoonful...that happened haha!
Christine @ Cooking with Cakes says
you are going IN for valentine's day, and I am totally loving it! would seriously eat this by the spoon
Alyssa says
Haha yes! Calories don't count on Valentine's Day...right? Right. Thanks! 🙂
Denise | Sweet Peas & Saffron says
Agh this looks amazing! Love that there's cinnamon in there, I can only imagine how delicious this tastes, with or without ice cream 😉
Alyssa says
Thanks Denise! I've had a hard time not adding cinnamon to sweet treats I've made this winter. So warm and delicious! 🙂
Ashley says
Oh my. Oh my. Oh my. I want to drizzle this straight into my mouth. Gah, this looks amazing lady!
Alyssa says
Thanks!! That may or may not have happened....haha!
Natalie @ Tastes Lovely says
How have I never had cinnamon caramel sauce? That color is just beautiful! I bet it tastes delicious and warm. Can't wait to make it and put in on ev-er-y-thing!
Alyssa says
Oooh it's certainly been a popular thing in our kitchen! Haha thanks!