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Sea Salt and Vanilla Bean Caramel Sauce

5 from 1 vote
Bree HesterBy Bree Hester
Bree Hester
Bree Hester Founder of Baked Bree

Bree Hester is the recipe developer, writer and food photographer behind Baked Bree. She started Baked Bree in February 2010 as a love letter to anyone that has ever come to her house for a meal. O…

Expertise: Recipe developer, food photographer and writer View all posts →
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Sea Salt and Vanilla Bean Caramel Sauce – How to make sea salt and vanilla bean caramel sauce for serving over ice cream or cakes.

Creamy vanilla ice cream topped with caramel sauce in a white bowl on a rustic wooden table.

I could not tease you any longer. In my last post, I shared a recipe for The Best Chocolate Sauce Ever, in it, I had a jar of caramel sauce. Now, let me preface, that I love my first caramel sauce recipe. Love, love, love.

But, I was making a batch for an ice cream party, and I decided to see if I could make a good thing, great. And this went beyond great. It is so delicious, that you could eat it from a spoon, and not miss the ice cream.

All it took was a vanilla bean and a sprinkling of sea salt. The sea salt does not make this sauce salty, but enhances the caramel and vanilla flavor. It is to die for. I cannot wait to make this after my first trip to the apple orchard in the coming months. I cannot wait to swirl a little of this sauce into some apple sauce, or drizzled over a slice of apple pie. If you’re also a big fan of apples, you might enjoy our Apple Cupcakes as well.

I have made this sauce many times and always give the leftovers away because I cannot be trusted alone with it. I have been told by a reliable source that it is also perfection spooned into your morning coffee.

Come Christmastime, this will for sure be a gift for neighbors, friends, and teachers. It will be so cute in little jars, with some cute ribbons and some festive embellishments. Like this one, from Pinterest. Discover our Maple Bourbon Caramel Sauce recipe for another twist.

Ready to make some? Let’s go.

Sea salt flakes, heavy whipping cream, and a glass jar for homemade recipes.

Sea Salt and Vanilla Bean Caramel Sauce Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups sugar
  • 1/3 cup water
  • 1 1/4 cups heavy cream (used 2 cups by accident, oops.)
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 vanilla bean, sliced and seeded
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
Silky caramel sauce cooking on stove with a whisk for baking and dessert recipes.

How to Make – The Steps

Step 1: Slice a vanilla bean in half. Using the back of the knife, scrape the seeds from the pod. You can save the pods, and put them in a jar of sugar. Pretty soon, you will have the most fragrant and delicious sugar.

Step 2: Pour the cream into a measuring cup and add the vanilla bean scrapings, and sea salt. Set aside.

Step 3: Put the sugar and water in a saucepan over medium heat. Bring the sugar to a boil.

Creamy homemade caramel sauce in a glass jar on a kitchen countertop, with a gold lid nearby.

Step 4: Let the sugar cook (do not stir using a spoon, at most, you may swirl the pan to avoid hot spots) until it reaches a deep amber color.

Step 5: Whisk in the cream mixture. It will bubble and go nuts, but keep whisking. It will come together just like this.

Step 6: Pour into a jar and keep in the fridge. The sauce will thicken, but it is more of a loose sauce. This will keep for about a week in the fridge.

For more tips on making caramel sauce, check out my original caramel sauce recipe.

Creamy ice cream scoops with caramel sauce in a white bowl on a wooden table.
Rich vanilla ice cream with caramel sauce in a white bowl, served on a wooden table.

Sea Salt and Vanilla Bean Caramel Sauce

Bree Hester
5 from 1 vote
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Cook Time 15 minutes mins
Total Time 20 minutes mins
Course Dessert, sauce
Cuisine American
Servings 12 (2 cups)
Calories 182 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 1/2 cups sugar
  • 1/3 cup water
  • 1 1/4 cups heavy cream used 2 cups by accident, oops.
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 vanilla bean sliced and seeded
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt

Instructions
 

  • Slice a vanilla bean in half. Using the back of the knife, scrape the seeds from the pod. You can save the pods, and put them in a jar of sugar. Pretty soon, you will have the most fragrant and delicious sugar.
    Charred vanilla bean and vanilla bean pod on a white cutting board.
  • Pour the cream into a measuring cup and add the vanilla bean scrapings, and sea salt. Set aside.
    Cream being poured into a measuring cup with milk and vanilla extract, preparing for baking or cooking.
  • Put the sugar and water in a saucepan over medium heat. Bring the sugar to a boil.
    Boiling sugar syrup in sauce pot for baking recipe.
  • Let the sugar cook (do not stir using a spoon, at most, you may swirl the pan to avoid hot spots) until it reaches a deep amber color.
    Golden caramel bubbling in a saucepan on stove.
  • Whisk in the cream mixture. It will bubble and go nuts, but keep whisking. It will come together just like this.
    Silky caramel sauce cooking on stove with a whisk for baking and dessert recipes.
  • Pour into a jar and keep in the fridge. The sauce will thicken, but it is more of a loose sauce. This will keep for about a week in the fridge.
    Creamy homemade caramel sauce in a glass jar on a kitchen countertop, with a gold lid nearby.
  • For more tips on making caramel sauce, check out my original caramel sauce recipe.
    Creamy ice cream scoops with caramel sauce in a white bowl on a wooden table.

Nutrition

Calories: 182kcalCarbohydrates: 26gProtein: 1gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 6gSodium: 201mg
Keyword homemade caramel sauce, ice cream topping, Sea salt caramel sauce, vanilla bean caramel sauce
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

About Bree Hester

Bree Hester is the recipe developer, writer and food photographer behind Baked Bree. She started Baked Bree in February 2010 as a love letter to anyone that has ever come to her house for a meal. Over the years it has evolved into so much more than that. While Bree may have hung up her apron for the last time, the reins have now been passed over to a passionate team of foodies.

Reader Interactions

Published: Jan 8, 2024 | Updated: Feb 17, 2026
5 from 1 vote

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Recipe Rating




  1. Kim says

    Posted on 12/7 at 7:09 pm

    5 stars
    This is the absolute BEST caramel sauce I have ever made. Its luscious! Drizzled on ice cream, over a piece of apple pie, or stirred into a cup of coffee. Its delicious!

    Reply
    • Fresh-faced woman smiling in front of pink flower wall, casual fall outfit, cozy black jacket and pink top, bright and cheerful ambiance.Anneliese Duprey says

      Posted on 12/12 at 8:10 am

      So glad to hear you enjoy this recipe!

      Reply
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