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Have you heard of the phrase "to-die-for"? I think that it might have been invented just for this Salted Apple Cider Caramel Sauce! Think I'm kidding? Well maybe so, but "to die for" is exactly what both Scott and I said when we took the first tiny tastes of this caramel sauce. And the second and the third... well, we won't go any further.
Each year in late August I like to pick up a jug of apple cider and make this fabulous Apple Cider Caramel Sauce to get me psyched up for the coming season. It's super easy and, except for reducing the apple cider, it comes together in minutes. The apple cider reduction (the delicious secret in this recipe) takes 15 minutes but it's mostly hands-off time. It's simply a matter of simmering the cider till it's sweet and syrupy (and literally bursting with apple flavor!).
After that, the whole thing comes together in less than 10 minutes. It's so easy you might not like me any more, as this sauce can go from a whim to a wonderful reality in no time flat. That's dangerous!
You'll flip when you take the first taste; it's sweet, rich, silky smooth and buttery, with lots of caramel flavor. But then comes the amazing part; the tart, bright and fresh apple flavor hits your taste buds - the combination is impossibly delicious!
How to use this sauce
You'll find a zillion ways to use this Apple Cider Caramel Sauce (besides eating it with a spoon right from the jar!). Here are a few ideas:
- Keep a carton of good vanilla ice cream in the freezer and a jar of this sauce in the fridge and you'll have a fabulous instant dessert. Serve it with a few shortbread cookies on the side for a heavenly treat!
- Use it as a dipping sauce for fresh apple slices for a healthy/splurge dessert.
- This is a perfect pairing with any apple dessert and takes whatever you put it on up another delicious level.
- Drizzle a bit over oatmeal topped with fresh apples and a bit of cream for a super delicious weekend breakfast.
- Swirl it through your favorite brownie mix.
- Drizzle it over pancakes topped with diced apples instead of maple syrup.
- Use it as a sauce for dessert crepes filled with Mascarpone or Ricotta.
- Dip chunks of bananas in this apple cider caramel sauce, coat with finely chopped pecans, then freeze for a fun, sweet snack or dessert.
- Use as a sauce for apple dumplings.
- Stir a spoonful into your coffee for a Saturday morning splurge.
Café Tips for making this Salted Apple Cider Caramel Sauce
- If you use a medium-large pot to make this sauce, it will take less time to reduce the cider as the surface area is nice and large.
- Watch the sauce carefully during the last few minutes of reduction. You want the cider to get nice and syrupy but not boiled down to nothing (and a burnt pan!).
- You can use light brown sugar in this Apple Cider Caramel Sauce, but I really like the deep color and rich flavor that results from dark brown sugar.
- This sauce doubles easily and keeps well in the refrigerator. It's great to have on hand for a super easy dessert for unexpected guests (or when the sweet tooth fairy strikes).
- Feel free to omit the cinnamon and cloves. They add a touch of fall, but the sauce will still be delicious without them!
- This recipe calls for flaky sea salt. I love Maldon flaky sea salt. As the name implies, it's a salt that has a flaky consistency rather than crystallized. The most well-known producer of flaky sea salt is Maldon (my favorite and the choice of many chefs), which sources its flakes from the waters off Essex, England (about 50 miles north of London). It's a little more expensive than some sea salt, but it's really nice to keep a box of this on hand to use as a finishing salt. Just a tiny pinch of flaky sea salt, rubbed between your fingers adds fabulous flavor and a little crunch to so many dishes.
This silky smooth Apple Cider Caramel Sauce is buttery and bursting with delicious, fresh apple flavor. It's wonderful on ice cream and is also a fabulous way to pizzaz up any fall dessert!
- 1 cup apple cider
- ¼ cup butter 2 ounces
- ½ cup dark brown sugar packed
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon cloves
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon sea flaky salt
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Place the apple cider in a medium-size, heavy-bottomed pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a high, steady simmer and cook for 10-15 minutes, until cider gets syrupy and is reduced to 2 tablespooons.
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Add butter to pan and cook until melted. Add the sugar, cream and spices. Stir until well blended. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a high, steady simmer and cook for 5 more minutes, stirring frequently.
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Remove from heat and add vanilla extract and flaky sea salt. Stir to combine.
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You're done! The sauce will thicken as it cools. If it gets too thick, just add an extra bit of apple cider or cream and stir well. Sauce should be stored in the refrigerator. It can be re-warmed in the microwave or on the stovetop in a small pan.
See Café Tips above for further instructions and more detailed tips.
Recipe makes 1 cup of caramel sauce.
If you enjoyed this recipe, please come back and leave a star rating and review! It’s so helpful to other readers to hear other’s results and ideas for variations.
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Kitchen Riffs says
This looks tremendous - gorgeous and tasty. I have to try this. I so love apple season - so many different things to try. Thanks so much.
Claire @ Claire K Creations says
Well just the flavour combination sounds to die for so I can't wait to try this!
Catherine says
Dear Chris, This sauce looks so beautiful...I would love to try making this...I imagine it would go with just about any dessert. Blessings, your friend, Catherine xo
The Café Sucré Farine says
Thanks Veronica! I have a couple other apple cider recipes coming up that might just solve your problem! Stay tuned 🙂
Veronica Miller says
It never fails that I buy a gallon of apple cider every fall for one particular recipe (psst! It's so good in beef stew with some sweet potatoes added in with the other veggies!) and then don't know what to do with the rest. Unfortunately it all too often ends up going bad before I use it. I'm saving this caramel sauce recipe for my next jug-this will be perfect to use for my extra cider--it would make great gifts!
Foodycat says
Oh my! That looks absolutely wonderful!
Sue/the view from great island says
OMG. I think that sauce is incredible, and I bet it would be great drizzled on that Pumpkin bundt cake that came up in your related posts, too!
The Mom Chef says
Oh my gosh. I don't know that I can say anything more than that. I keep scrolling back up to look at the photos. It's amazing. It's so, so fall. And perfect. I need to make this. Then I need to make pie. And buy ice cream. Wow.
Heidi Szczepanski says
Love this recipe. I will have to make some soon, looks delicious. Thanks for sharing
lena says
i cant imagine the taste but it really looks like something to die for! i think now when i come across this term , i will automatically think of your caramel sauce!
Sandra Lee says
Count me in and promise you will come over and workout with me:)
Kim Garceau says
I do have half a gallon of apple cider, I will try this caramel sauce and I know I will love you more:) Have a nice week-end!
Carol @ Always Thyme to Cook says
The sauce does look to die for, especially drizzled over the ice cream. But I'd love it by the spoonful straight from the jar!
Tricia @ saving room for dessert says
I feel compelled to lick the computer screen! Yes - it looks like something I could really, really, really enjoy! Love the ice cream shot - all of it is amazing!
Jennifer@ Peanut Butter and Peppers says
Oh my gosh, you always seem to out do yourself!! I can see drizzling the sauce over everything!!! It just looks fantastic! Have a great weekend!!
mia xara says
Amazingly delicious sauce, Chris!I absolutely have to try it!! Thanks for sharing!
Susan says
YUM, Chris! This looks & sounds wonderful!
Hovkonditorn says
I believe you, this looks and sounds so delicious!
Hovkonditorn says
I believe you, this looks and sounds so delicious!
Elisabeth says
Your caramel sauce spells...AUTUMN! So incredibly delicious, with a super perfect recipe!
Mary says
This sounds absolutely delicious and begs to be tried, Thanks for the clear instructions. Have a great day.Blessings...Mary
Amelia says
Hi, wow... look good,taste good and it's extremely good! This is not "to die for" but dangerous too.LOL
I go get ice cream and come back for your caramel....LOL
As usual lovely picture and elegant 5 star presentation.
Have a nice day ahead, regards.
Kate says
I must make this sauce.....I can think of a few things to pour it on after I put down my spoon!!!!
Gloria says
This sounds really delicious!
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
This sauce looks like trouble (and I mean that in the best way possible!). I don't think a jar would last very long at all... 😉