This homemade caramel sauce Starbucks recipe will transform your Holiday season like nothing else!
If you’re anything like me, Christmas time is when you start to crave sticky sweets. And there’s one coffee shop that does Christmas better than anyone else. You guessed it, it’s Starbucks.
Sometimes, us busy moms just need a little sweet pick-me-up. Especially during Christmas time, when you spend hours standing in long lines at the checkout, a quick stop at your local Starbucks is always a hit.
While us Australians prefer an iced coffee or cold brew around that time of year, I often think back to the times where I used to curl up in one of Starbucks’s cozy, velvet armchairs while sipping my jug of caramel macchiato.
There’s something so irresistible about their caramel sauce. Whether it’s drizzled over your morning coffee, swirled into a milkshake, or used as a dip for apple slices, it adds a touch of indulgence that turns any snack into a treat.
But as much as I love a good Starbucks run, I also love the idea of making my favorite café treats at home. Especially when it means avoiding any unnecessary additives (and a trip into the city). So this is how this Starbucks copycat recipe came to be.
You’ll be surprised at how easy it is to whip up a homemade caramel sauce that tastes even better than the Starbucks trademark. With a few simple ingredients, we’ll be creating a rich, buttery caramel drizzle right where you are. The best part? This simple recipe contains no nasties and can be created for only a fraction of the cost. It’s the real deal!
Trust me, once you start making your own caramel sauce Starbucks recipe, you’ll never want to go back to the store-bought kind. Following the step-by-step instructions of this easy recipe will give you a week’s worth of delicious drizzle of caramel, ready to be poured over your favorite coffee drink, or added to your iced latte on a hot summer day. I like to keep a small jar in the fridge to add to my morning granola and yoghurt, or drizzle over fruit-topped pancakes.
So if you’re in the market for a little homemade pick-me-up, or simply want to experiment with something fun and delicious in the kitchen, give this delicious caramel sauce Starbucks recipe a try. I promise you’ll love it.
Don’t forget to share a picture of your creations in the comments.
Ingredients for my caramel sauce Starbucks recipe
Brown sugar. We want the full caramel flavour for this recipe. And what better ingredient than brown sugar? You can substitute for coconut sugar if you like.
Cream. Try and use heavy whipping cream for this recipe. Because what makes whipped cream so delicious certainly won’t hurt this delicious caramel syrup.
Butter. Butter is a key ingredient in many recipes, and this delicious caramel sauce Starbucks recipe is certainly no exception. Use salted butter if you can, or add an extra pinch or two of salt when you get to it.
Vanilla. I prefer to use vanilla essence in this recipe, but am sure vanilla bean will work just as well.
Salt. A little salt turns this caramel sauce Starbucks recipe into a delicious treat that elevates almost any dish.
How to Make the Caramel Sauce
Melt the butter. In a small saucepan, melt your butter over medium heat. Stir constantly with a wooden spoon or heat-resistant spatula.
Add the sugar. Once the butter has melted, add the sugar one spoon at a time. Keep stirring the mixture to ensure the sugar melts and fully incorporates. This may take up to 5 minutes. Don’t rush this step we want to ensure the sugar doesn’t burn and the extra few minutes are worth it! Your mixture might start to bubble and splatter. If your hands are sensitive to heat, wear an oven mitt while you hold your wooden spoon or spatula and continue to stir.
Add the rest. When the butter and sugar are fully combined, add the cream, vanilla essence and salt. The mixture will bubble up rapidly, but keep stirring until everything is well combined. Let it simmer for about 1 minute, then remove the saucepan from the heat.
Cool. Allow the caramel sauce to cool for about 10-15 minutes before transferring it to a jar. It will appear quite runny and liquid at first, but will thicken as it cools.
Store and enjoy. Store your caramel sauce in a glass jar or airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. Add a little to your morning coffee, over waffles or homemade ice cream. If the sauce is too thick straight out of the ridge, heat a small amount for a few seconds in the microwave or on the stove to bring it back to its drizzle-ready consistency.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
• Quick & Easy: With a few simple steps you’ll have a jar of homemade caramel sauce ready in just 15 minutes.
• Better Than Store-Bought: Say goodbye to additives and preservatives and the long line at your local coffee shop! This sauce is made from wholesome, basic ingredients you can feel good about. A small spoonful is enough to turn your cup of coffee into made at home frappuccinos.
• Versatile: Perfect for topping coffee, ice cream, pancakes, or even adding to your baked goods for that extra caramel kick. Add shots of espresso or strong coffee to your caramel if you’re into stronger flavours, or add a little bit of vanilla syrup or even deeper sweet flavor.
• Kid-Approved: A sweet treat the whole family will love. We often add our caramel sauce to granola, which turns it into caramel crunch toppings to sprinkle over yoghurt or ice cream.
Other recipes to try
Tips & Tricks
• Use Room Temperature Ingredients: This helps the caramel come together more smoothly. Cold butter or cream can cause the hot sugar to seize up.
• Stir Constantly: Sugar can burn easily, so keep stirring once it starts melting to avoid any bitter burnt taste.
• Be Patient: Don’t rush the melting sugar process, especially the first time making it. It will take a few minutes but it’s worth it. You want that deep amber color for a rich caramel flavor that makes your taste buds dance.
• Salt It Up: If you love that sweet-salty combo, sprinkle a bit of sea salt over the finished caramel for a salted caramel version. otherwise just skip it to create a regular caramel sauce,
Easy Substitutes
• Butter: You can use salted butter if that’s what you have on hand. Taste the caramel before adding any extra salt at the end to make sure you don’t add too much.
• Heavy Cream: Full-fat coconut milk works as a dairy-free alternative. It gives a slight coconut flavor that pairs wonderfully with the caramel. Avoid low-fat milk, whole milk or soy milk, as they don’t have enough fat to turn the mixture into thick and creamy caramel.
• Vanilla Extract: Feel free to swap in almond extract for a nutty twist.
Caramel sauce Starbucks recipe - copycat but better
Sometimes, us busy moms just need a little sweet pick-me-up.
Ingredients
- 125g butter, salted
- 1 tsp vanilla essence
- 200g brown sugar
- 125ml cream
- 1/2 tsp salt
Instructions
- Melt the butter. In a small saucepan, melt your butter over medium heat. Stir constantly with a wooden spoon or heat-resistant spatula.
- Add the sugar. Once the butter has melted, add the sugar one spoon at a time. Keep stirring the mixture to ensure the sugar melts and fully incorporates. This may take up to 5 minutes. Don't rush this step we want to ensure the sugar doesn't burn and the extra few minutes are worth it! Your mixture might start to bubble and splatter. If your hands are sensitive to heat, wear an oven mitt while you hold your wooden spoon or spatula and continue to stir.
- Add the rest. When the butter and sugar are fully combined, add the cream, vanilla essence and salt. The mixture will bubble up rapidly, but keep stirring until everything is well combined. Let it simmer for about 1 minute, then remove the saucepan from the heat.
- Cool. Allow the caramel sauce to cool for about 10-15 minutes before transferring it to a jar. It will appear quite runny and liquid at first, but will thicken as it cools.
- Store and enjoy. Store your caramel sauce in a glass jar or airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. Add a little to your morning coffee, over waffles or homemade ice cream. If the sauce is too thick straight out of the ridge, heat a small amount for a few seconds in the microwave or on the stove to bring it back to its drizzle-ready consistency.
Notes
- Use Room Temperature Ingredients: This helps the caramel come together more smoothly. Cold butter or cream can cause the hot sugar to seize up.
- Stir Constantly: Sugar can burn easily, so keep stirring once it starts melting to avoid any bitter burnt taste.
- Be Patient: Don’t rush the melting sugar process, especially the first time making it. It will take a few minutes but it’s worth it. You want that deep amber color for a rich caramel flavor that makes your taste buds dance.
- Salt It Up: If you love that sweet-salty combo, sprinkle a bit of sea salt over the finished caramel for a salted caramel version. otherwise just skip it to create a regular caramel sauce,
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