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One of my favorite gifts to give neighbors and friends is a food gift and I love sweets and goodies in return. It’s Christmas after all and yummy sweets are necessary don’t you think. This year I decided to give a Sea Salt Vanilla Caramel Sauce in a jar. Continue reading below to see how to make it.
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It’s Day 8 and we are sharing Christmas In A Jar Ideas!
Caramel is my favorite flavor even over chocolate, but chocolate is a close second. I decided it would be fun to give this as a gift to my neighbors this year. It’s so versatile and can be used over ice cream, apple pie, pan cakes, etc.
I’m thinking it would be fun to put it in a cute Christmas bag along with an ice cream scoop and a $5.00 gift card so they can pick up their favorite ice cream.
Sea Salt Vanilla Caramel Sauce Ingredients
And, here’s the recipe. Please read the instructions thoroughly before starting. Enjoy!
Sea Salt Vanilla Caramel Sauce Recipe

Sea Salt Vanilla Caramel Sauce
A smooth and smokey delicious caramel sauce with a hint of vanilla and sea salt.
Ingredients
- 2 Cups Granulated Sugar
- 3/4 Cup Unsalted Butter 1 1/2 Sticks
- 1 Cup Heavy Cream
- 1 tsp. Vanilla Extract
- 2 tsp. Sea Salt If you can find sea salt flakes they are better.
Instructions
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Two hours before you begin cooking the caramel remove the cream and butter from the refridgerator. You want everything to be room temperature. Slice the butter into 1/2 wide pieces at this point.
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Make sure the pan, wisk, measuring cups and spoons are very clean.
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Before you begin cooking have everything measured out and ready to add.
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In a large heavy saucepan add your sugar. Spread evenly in the pan.
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Heat the sugar on medium high heat. When the sugar starts melting whisk continuously to prevent the sugar from burning.
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The sugar will start to clump and you will start to notice a light amber liquid sugar. Continue whisking and mixing well until the sugar is melted. About 6-8 minutes.The liquid will be a light amber color.
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Be careful....the syrup is very hot.
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Stop whisking and very carefully tilt the pan back and forth over the burner until the syrup is a medium amber color about 4-5 minutes. Be careful as the syrup can turn dark quickly and will have a burnt taste.
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As soon as the liquid turns a medium amber color remove from the heat and add the butter all at once whisking continuously.The mixture will bubble, but continue to stir.
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Once the butter is mixed in and melted add the cream and vanilla, continuing to stir until everything is mixed in.
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Add the sea salt and continue stirring until dissolved.
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Set aside and let cool.
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If you are using for gifts...Let the caramel cool for 15 minutes and pour into jars.
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If you would like to use an instant read candy thermometer you are shooting for 350 degrees.
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This sauce sounds amazing! I’m thinking of all the things I could put it on. Love it! What a great gift idea!
You had me at caramel and grabbed me at sea salt! The combination sounds divine and how pretty are the little jars you’re gifting them in!
Oh man, I am going to need somebody to gift this to me asap 😉 Otherwise I am headed to the kitchen, this sounds so good!
I LOVE caramel. I just printed this out because I HAVE to make it soon!
Oh, I can’t wait to try your recipe! I can think of lots of dishes this would be perfect with.
Caramel is quickly replacing my love of all things chocolate. I can see myself making this and eating it out of the bowl. That is how delicious it sounds.
I love sea salt caramel chocolates, so I’m sure I’m going to love trying this recipe!