Easy Homemade Caramel Sauce

This caramel sauce is an "easy" way to make homemade caramel sauce or as I would say the cheater way. The real way to make caramel sauce involves heating granulated sugar, whisking constantly until it has completely melted. Once it has melted you stop whisking and continue to cook until it reaches a deep amber color, swirling the pan occasionally. As soon as it reaches that amber color which is about around 350º F, you add in butter and whisk until completely melted. Then the sauce is removed from the heat and heavy cream is whisked in. The problem with "real" caramel sauce is it goes from the perfect amber color to burnt in a just a few seconds.

So when I needed a caramel sauce for a recipe, I did not want to mess around with a real caramel sauce and risk it getting burned. So I decided to make an easy caramel sauce. This caramel sauce tastes just like a "real" caramel sauce. The only difference is that is not as dark in color as "real" caramel sauce.

Easy Homemade Caramel Sauce

Ingredients:

• 1 cup granulted sugar
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup half and half
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

Directions:

1. In a medium pot, combine all of the ingredients.
2. Heat the mixture over low heat, whisking constantly until thickened, about 6-10 minutes. The mixture will thicken a little bit more as it cools.
3. Cool to room temperature and transfer to a sealable container and store in the refrigerator.

Enjoy!!!
*Adapted from Natashas Kitchen.