Microwave Caramel Sauce

Microwave Caramel Sauce; have you ever heard of it? In less than 10 minutes you’ll have a warm, decadent caramel topping that’s perfect for your ice cream, apple cake or as a holiday gift! Practically foolproof!

Easy Microwave Caramel Sauce

Are you caramel phobic? Scared of attempting a homemade caramel sauce? Push those fears aside as I have an 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.

Tips for Making Microwave Caramel Sauce

This is a super easy recipe! Here are a few pointers for making this no-fail microwave caramel sauce at home.

• 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. This concoction is zapped on high heat just until it starts taking on a very pale amber color.

• You’ll want to use a clear Pyrex measuring cup so you can see as the color begins to change.
• Here is my 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.

Gifts from the Kitchen

To make this easy caramel sauce into a gift, I love pouring it into Weck canning jars. Adding a chef medallion from Felix Doolittle makes it even more personalized.

Check out all my other Food Gift Recipes!

Today, my blogger friends are sharing food gifts for the holidays. Whether liqueurs, sweets or snack mixes, we have you covered! Check out the terrific lineup of recipes this week:

Beverages:

• Cold Brew Coffee Concentrate by Supper for a Steal
• Cranberry Infused Vodka by The Redhead Baker
• Cranberry Pomegrante Vodka by Recipes, Food and Cooking
• Creamy Coconut Liqueur by Manu’s Menu
• German Egg Liqueur (Eierlikör) by Magnolia Days
• Holiday Sangria Surprise by Momma’s Meals
• Homemade Organic Lavender Honey by An Appealing Plan

Bread:

• Homemade Pumpernickel Bread by The Foodie Army Wife
• Pumpkin Beer Bread Gift Basket by The Girl in The Little Red Kitchen

Appetizers and Snacks:

• Boozy Olives by Culinary Adventures with Camilla
• Cookie Butter Puppy Chow by Bobbi’s Kozy Kitchen
• Reindeer Snack Mix by MealDiva

Condiments and Sauces:

• Butterscotch Sauce {Low Carb} by Nosh My Way
• Cranberry Hatch Chile Salsa by The Texan New Yorker
• Ginger Jam by What Smells So Good?
• Lemon Ginger Marmalade by Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
• Easy Microwave Caramel Sauce by That Skinny Chick Can Bake
• Slow Cooker Apple Butter by Shockingly Delicious
• Sweet-Hot Red Pepper Jam by Delaware Girl Eats

Savory and Sweet Mixes:

• Creole Jambalaya Mix by Nik Snacks
• Gingerbread Hot Chocolate Mix by Feed Me, Seymour
• Homemade Brownie Mix in a Jar by The Perfect Brownie
• Homemade Sazon Seasoning by The Little Ferraro Kitchen
• Skinny Mocha Latte Mix by Cindy’s Recipes and Writings

Desserts and Sweets:

• Assorted Macaroons by Take A Bite Out of Boca
• Brandy Truffles by Food Lust People Love
• Carob Peanut Butter Cups by Pies and Plots
• Chocolate Cranberry Nut Candy by Peanut Butter and Peppers
• Cinnamon Candied Pecans by Noshing With The Nolands
• Coconut Oil White Chocolate + Chocolate Chip Cookies by Wallflour Girl
• Homemade Marshmallows by Curious Cuisiniere
• Maple Chocolates by Jane’s Adventures in Dinner
• Matcha Green Tea Holiday Wreath Cookies by NinjaBaker
• White Chocolate Lollipops by The Life and Loves of Grumpy’s Honeybunch
• White Christmas Fudge by Rhubarb and Honey

Love this recipe? Please consider rating it in the comments below. You can also follow me on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram.

Microwave Caramel Sauce

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★★★★★

5 from 6 reviews

An easy recipe for caramel sauce using your microwave! 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.

• Author: Liz Berg
• Prep Time: 5 mins
• Cook Time: 4 mins
• Total Time: 9 minutes
• Yield: 1½ cups 1x
• Category: Food Gift, Dessert
• Method: Microwave
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

• 1 cup sugar
• 2 tablespoons corn syrup
• 2 tablespoons water
• 1/8 teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1/2 cup hot heavy cream
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla

Instructions

1. Mix sugar, corn syrup, water and lemon juice in a 2 cup Pyrex measuring cup.
2. Microwave till 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.
3. Remove measuring cup to counter where it will continue to bubble and darken to a caramel color (amber). Add hot cream a couple tablespoons at a time, very slowly as it will bubble intensely.
4. When all the cream is added, stir in butter and vanilla
5. Store in refrigerator for up to a month.