Microwave Caramel Sauce
Microwave Caramel Sauce: In less than 10 minutes you’ll have a decadent caramel topping that’s perfect for your ice cream or a holiday gift! Practically foolproof, luscious, and irresistible!
This Homemade Caramel Sauce is my go-to method and it’s super quick and made with easy-to-find ingredients, many of which may already be in your kitchen!
Why You Must Make
Are you caramel phobic? Scared of attempting a homemade caramel sauce? Push those fears aside as I have a simple solution: an easy caramel sauce made in the microwave.
- Once you’ve done it once or twice, it’s a piece of cake and no candy thermometer is ever needed.
- I have made numerous varieties of caramels and caramel sauces over the years. And some have been big fat flops. This is the recipe I turn to when I need a no-fail caramel sauce recipe.
- Plus, it tastes amazing!!
Ingredient Notes
With only a handful of ingredients, make sure they’re high quality for the best results.
- Corn syrup – Karo is my go-to brand
- Freshly squeezed lemon juice – Never use bottled lemon juice as the taste is sub-par.
- Heavy cream – Use cream with at least 36% butterfat
- Butter – Salted or unsalted will work, but I prefer salted as salt is a flavor enhancer.
- Vanilla – Use only real vanilla extract, never imitation.
Expert Tips
This is a super easy recipe! Here are a few pointers for making this no-fail microwave caramel sauce at home.
- PRO-Tip: Since all microwaves heat a little differently, you may have to sacrifice your first batch to figure out the exact timing for your appliance.
- Sugar, corn syrup, water, and just a teeny squeeze of lemon juice are mixed in a 2 cup Pyrex measuring cup (affiliate link). This concoction is zapped on high heat just until it starts taking on a very pale amber color.
- PRO-Tip: You’ll want to use a clear Pyrex measuring cup so you can see as the color begins to change.
- Warning: this hot liquid will continue to cook and brown after it’s removed from the microwave. So, if you let it get to a deeper amber color you will have a burnt mess on your hands.
- My old microwave took about 4 minutes to reach the ideal color and my current model needs a few seconds more than 5 minutes.
- PRO-Tip: Make sure to make a note of the timing which gives you the best results for your future batches of this microwave caramel sauce.
How to Make this Caramel Sauce Recipe:
- Whisk together the sugar, corn syrup, water, and fresh lemon juice in a 2-cup Pyrex measuring cup.
- Microwave just until the mixture starts to take on a bit of color (a pale amber), about 4-5 minutes.
- Carefully, set the caramel onto the counter where it will continue to bubble and darken to a caramel color (amber).
- Slowly, add hot cream a couple of tablespoons at a time, very slowly as it will bubble intensely.
- When all the cream is added, stir in butter and vanilla.
Frequently Asked Questions
Although it’s safe to store caramel sauce at room temperature for a day or so, it’s best to keep it refrigerated in an airtight container. It will keep for up to a month in the fridge.
Gently reheat in the microwave to bring it back to pouring consistency before using.
Yes, it freezes well. Just make sure you leave room for expansion in your container. Use an airtight container and it will keep well for at least 3 months. It’s best not to freeze in a glass container due to the chance of breakage.
Start by mixing ¼ teaspoon of salt into the warm caramel sauce. Taste and add more salt until it tastes perfect to you. Most likely, the total amount of salt would range from ¼-½ teaspoon per batch.
You May Also Like:
To make this easy caramel sauce into a gift, I love pouring it into Weck canning jars (affiliate link). Adding chef medallions from Felix Doolittle makes it even more personalized.
- How to Make Vanilla Extract
- Cream Caramels
- White Chocolate Party Mix
- Homemade Irish Cream
- Double Dose English Toffee
- Check out all my other Food Gift Recipes!
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Microwave Caramel Sauce Recipe
An easy recipe for caramel sauce using your microwave! It's ready to use in less than 10 minutes!
Ingredients
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons corn syrup
- 2 tablespoons water
- ⅛ teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
- ½ cup hot heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon butter
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla
Instructions
- Mix sugar, corn syrup, water, and lemon juice in a 2-cup Pyrex measuring cup.
- Microwave until the mixture just starts to take on a bit of color (a pale amber), about 4-5 minutes. Watch very carefully as it will continue cooking once you pull it out of the microwave. If it gets deeper than a pale amber, it will burn while on the counter.
- Remove the measuring cup to the counter where it will continue to bubble and darken to a caramel color (amber). Add hot cream a couple of tablespoons at a time, very slowly as it will bubble intensely.
- When all the cream is added, stir in butter and vanilla
- Store in refrigerator for up to a month.
Notes
Make a note of the time it takes to make in your microwave so you can reference that the next time you make this caramel sauce.
Beware that all microwaves are different. My previous microwave would burn well before 5 minutes, and my current one takes about 5 minutes, 5 seconds.
Adapted from Cooks Illustrated.
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
12Serving Size:
2 tablespoonsAmount Per Serving: Calories: 117Total Fat: 5gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 14mgSodium: 13mgCarbohydrates: 20gFiber: 0gSugar: 20gProtein: 0g
59 Comments on “Microwave Caramel Sauce”
I used to have a microwave caramel sauce recipe but I lost it years ago, so I am so glad you posted yours. It’s such a fabulous sauce to have on hand and it’s super easy and quick to make. Happy holidays Liz.
Ever tried to do a sugar free version w splenda or equivalent?
I have not, Amy. I think there may be more to tweak than just using a sugar substitute in place of the sugar. I did a quick Google search and there are a couple of sugar-free versions using sweeteners I’ve never heard of (Sukrin Fiber Gold Syrup or Allulose + Lakanto Golden). Hope that helps!
pass me my spoon please this looks sensational!
Thank you so much for this recipe! A new staple in our house!!
This is so easy I may never buy caramel sauce st the store again!
This recipe was the perfect solution to my caramel making fears. I eat it by the spoonful!
Whoa, so quick and easy! Love it!
Great idea
Delicious caramel sauce for gifting. I always keep one for myself!
Great recipe Liz! I love knowing that in four and a half minutes it’s perfect. Using it today over baked French toast. Thank you thank you
I’m so glad you tried this, Kitty! It’s a game changer, isn’t it??? xo
Love this~! I printed your recipe and I want to save it as well. THANKS~!
This is such genius!!! I am officially a little bit intimidated by caramel sauce. I’ve had some successes but also some MAJOR floppers, so I still get nervous going in. I’ll have to try your version though. Thanks for posting!
I love how easily this can be made, Lizzy! I need a stash of this for the holidays!
I’m used to making caramel on the stove, but this is super easy. I’m excited to give it a try!
I don’t know if I’m more caramel phobic or yeast phobic. That being said I think I could conquer my caramel phobia with this recipe. This could be a sweet and dangerous adventure!
How easy is this is! Delicious topping at your fingertips!
YES! I love homemade caramel sauce and the fact that you can just throw it together in the microwave is awesome!
I know a lot of people who would love this for Christmas (I’m one of them) and this sounds a lot easier than any caramel I’ve made. Your labels are so cute! 🙂
Thanks for sharing your foolproof caramel sauce. It sounds simple and the end result in your pretty little gift jars looks delicious.
So funny – for all the times I made caramel in the past I never tried nuking it! A new one to do now!
i could bathe in this 🙂 haha
oops my finger slipped and ended up in the jar 😛
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
YUM! I have a feeling that if I had this in our house Patrick would use on everything! Including his morning toast! haha
Ok, this is no less than brilliant and your presentation is gorgeous.
I make a lot of caramel sauce for holiday gifts and I’ll probably stick with my old fashioned method since I make a lot at one time BUT…there never seems to be any left for me. This is the perfect solution for a small batch; great idea Liz.
I love this idea. I’ve been trying to decide what to do for food gifts this year. This sounds like a winner.
Looks perfect! I don’t remember when I last time made caramel…
You have presented this caramel sauce so beautifully. I just love the jars and your stickers are gorgeous. What a great idea to make a sauce in a microwave xx
What a nice idea Liz for a present ! Love your recipe and your presentation ! Lovely 😉
Oh this caramel looks dangerously delicious and the perfect holiday gift!
Love this microwave method, will have to try it soon!
Wow!! No more watching the pot for 8-10 minutes! I must try this out!
Liz I could totally just pick this up and drink it! YUM!
Lizzy,
I’ve only made caramel once and it was your recipe. It turned out wonderfully and my hubby who hates commercially made caramel loved it. I can’t wait to try this recipe too.
Annamaria
Oh, my goodness, Liz! I can hardly believe how easy this is! With this recipe, no one need ever BUY caramel sauce ever again. Pinning this one on my Recipes to Try board, as well as the Gifts from the Kitchen!
Brilliant! I always burn caramel sauce when I make it on the stove top- using the microwave will solve all of my problems. I’ll be sure to keep a careful eye on it:) thanks for the great recipe!
Where have I been??? I had no idea one could make caramel sauce in a microwave. I am even willing to sacrifice a few batches for the ease and deliciousness of this one!
Liz,
I shall make for my co-workers Christmas Gifts.
thank you!! xxxx YUMMMMMMMMMmmmmmmmmm
Looks and sounds delicious… one question… can I leave out the corn syrup?
Liz, I think the corn syrup in the caramel sauce helps prevent recrystallizing of the sugar. I think you could leave it out if you were using it immediately, but not for gift giving or using days later.
Great to know that caramel sauce can be zapped in the microwave…Thank you for the gift of enlightenment on caramel =)
P.s. Wondering if you saw the link and credit to your site for the wreath inspiration =)
I have made microwave caramel sauce before and loved it. It’s almost like magic. I didn’t cook mine quite enough, but it was still great.
This sounds wonderful Liz, I will be trying it. Thanks for all of your tips!
This is fantastic! I have never made caramel sauce in microwave…who would have known it’s this easy…
I have to make this recipe! It sounds so easy and looks amazing! I love your labels! So adorable!
It’s always hit and miss with me and caramel sauce. I will have to try this version out! Love it.
Love easy yummy recipes! This is very handy and helpful especially for newbie mums and cooks :). Great post for sharing!!!
Julie & Alesah
Gourmet Getaways xx
This is a great way to not burn the sugar. Love it! Such a great gift.
I adore caramel! I never made in a microwave, but love to try it, this is perfect post for me to try!!!
Perfect homemade Christmas gifts for the caramel lovers in our lives! Thanks Liz 🙂
Gorgeous gift, I love the stickers!! I have to make some of this soon!!
A welcome gift I’m sure! BIG game today, I’m really looking forward to it-Go Pack:@)
Yum! love caramel sauce.
I’ve tried a different recipe from cookiesandcups blog and it turned out delicious, so i’m sure yours is perfect. Thanks
Wow, I didn’t know you could make caramel in the microwave! I’ll have to try this someday 🙂
Fantastic Liz!! You just made my day with this recipe. Caramel sauce here I come!
Caramel sauce! I always have trouble making this at home since I don’t own a candy thermometer, but using a microwave seems ideal.
Easy and it looks so smooth and delicious!