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30 30 Minutes or Less VG Vegetarian

Bourbon Caramel Sauce Recipe

4.29
/5
15 mins
53 Comments
Jump to Recipe Video
By: Rachel GurkPosted: 12/06/2017Updated: 01/03/2022

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

Perfect for both gift giving and parties, this bourbon caramel sauce will become an instant favorite of anyone who tries it! Get the recipe on RachelCooks.com!

Perfect for both gift giving and parties, this bourbon caramel sauce will become an instant favorite of anyone who tries it! 

Perfect for both gift giving and parties, this bourbon caramel sauce will become an instant favorite of anyone who tries it! Get the recipe on RachelCooks.com!

Thick and sweet, creamy and bourbon-y, this caramel is already calling your name, isn’t it? It’s good enough to eat off a spoon, and you might just find yourself doing that. Not like I know anything about that…

Perfect for both gift giving and parties, this bourbon caramel sauce will become an instant favorite of anyone who tries it! Get the recipe on RachelCooks.com!

If you find yourself needing a last-minute hostess gift or a dessert for a party, this is the recipe for you! It’s super easy to make and all you have to do is pour it in a jar and tie some ribbon around it and it’s ready to gift. Or, you can bring it to a party with ice cream for an easy dessert that everyone will love. It would also be great on a number of other things like apple pie, french toast, bread pudding, and more.

Perfect for both gift giving and parties, this bourbon caramel sauce will become an instant favorite of anyone who tries it! Get the recipe on RachelCooks.com!

If you’ve never made caramel before, don’t be scared! This recipe is nearly fool-proof and you can absolutely conquer it. I have faith in you.

In a nutshell:

  1. Boil sugar with water, corn syrup, and a touch of salt. You’ll want to be besties with the stove at this point – don’t leave its side. Swirl the pan and keep a close eye on it.
  2. Watch for it to become the color of a strong-brewed iced tea – or, the color of caramel.
  3. Remove from heat and add the cream and bourbon. Stand back and watch out for steam!
  4. Whisk to combine and then whisk in butter and vanilla.
  5. Let cool and enjoy!

Between the unmistakable flavor of the bourbon (or whiskey, whatever floats your boat), and the rich creaminess of the cream and butter, this is holiday perfection in the form of a smooth, sweet sauce. You guys are going to love it!

Perfect for both gift giving and parties, this bourbon caramel sauce will become an instant favorite of anyone who tries it! Get the recipe on RachelCooks.com!

PS: Love caramel? Try these recipes:

  • Homemade Caramel Corn with Bourbon and Bacon
  • Whole Wheat Caramel Banana Bread
  • Caramel Kiss Brownies
  • Salted Caramel Brownie Bites
  • Caramel Apple Wraps from Milk Means More
  • Flourless Chocolate Cupcakes with Caramel Buttercream from Milk Means More

Is it just me or would this caramel also be amazing on french toast?

Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me @rachelcooksblog on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest!

Perfect for both gift giving and parties, this bourbon caramel sauce will become an instant favorite of anyone who tries it! Get the recipe on RachelCooks.com!
Recipe

Get the Recipe: Bourbon Caramel Sauce

4.29 from 96 votes
Prep Time: 5 mins
Cook Time: 10 mins
Total Time: 15 mins
12 servings
Print Rate Recipe
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Perfect for both gift giving and parties, this bourbon caramel sauce will become an instant favorite of anyone who tries it!

Ingredients

  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 2 tablespoons corn syrup
  • pinch of salt
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1 tablespoon bourbon
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (1/2 stick)
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Instructions

  • Boil sugar, water, corn syrup, and salt in a saucepan over medium-high heat, swirling occasionally. Cook until caramel is the color of iced tea, about 10 minutes. Watch it closely. It takes awhile to get going, but once it gets going, it can scorch quickly.
  • Remove from heat and add cream and bourbon (watch out for steam!), whisking to combine. Keep off the heat and whisk in butter and vanilla. Transfer sauce to a bowl to cool (and thicken). Store covered in the fridge and reheat slowly in the microwave or over low heat in a saucepan. Also great cold with apples as a dip.

Notes

  • Makes about 1 1/2 cups.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 2tablespoons, Calories: 146kcal, Carbohydrates: 20g, Fat: 7g, Saturated Fat: 5g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Cholesterol: 21mg, Sodium: 47mg, Sugar: 20g

This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.

© Author: Rachel Gurk
Did You Make This?Be sure to upload a photo & tag me at @RachelCooksBlog. I love seeing what you made!
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Disclosure: I have been compensated by Milk Means More for my time to develop this kale sweet potato salad recipe and write this post. All opinions are as always, my own. Find out more about why Milk Means More on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and Pinterest.

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  1. Charlotte M. says

    March 25, 2022 at 12:24 pm

    Any idea how long this will keep if stored in a fridge? I love gifting for the holidays but try and get most of my gifts done late Nov for gifting first or second week of Dec. Curious on any thoughts.

    Reply
    • Rachel Gurk says

      March 27, 2022 at 10:29 am

      I would say a week or two.

      Reply
  2. Charlotte Wynne says

    January 29, 2022 at 12:09 pm

    5 stars
    I made this and it was AWESOME!! Everyone raves about it!! I also left out the Bourbon and made it just caramel…wonderful!!

    Reply
    • Rachel Gurk says

      January 31, 2022 at 1:03 pm

      So glad you like it! Thanks for taking the time to leave a review!

      Reply
  3. Georgia says

    January 17, 2022 at 9:14 am

    It takes much more than 10 minutes to make. It takes quite a while to start boiling. I doubled the recipe and it was around 40+ minutes I cooked it to, and it still wasn’t very brown. The butter really whitened it up. One batch at a time seems best. The first time I made it (one batch) it didn’t take too long.

    Reply
    • Rachel Gurk says

      January 17, 2022 at 12:10 pm

      Yes, double (or more) batches will definitely take much longer!

      Reply
  4. Beth says

    December 30, 2021 at 5:29 pm

    How much caramel sauce (in ounces or cups, etc) does this recipe make? It is not stated in the post. Also, have you doubled the recipe with success?
    TIA!

    Reply
    • Rachel Gurk says

      January 3, 2022 at 10:31 am

      It makes about 1 1/2 cups. It should double really well!

      Reply
  5. Dorrie Hall says

    December 25, 2021 at 11:16 am

    Going to make the Carmel sauce if I can find out where to get the cute jars. Is it sealed like jams?

    Reply
    • Rachel Gurk says

      December 28, 2021 at 7:42 am

      I’m not sure where I picked those up, but these jars are similar.

      Reply
  6. Linda says

    December 23, 2021 at 5:16 pm

    Can I use half and half instead of heavy cream? It’s what I have in the house.

    Reply
    • Rachel Gurk says

      December 28, 2021 at 7:39 am

      I’m not sure it will thicken up in the same way but let me know if you give it a try!

      Reply
  7. Carla says

    December 21, 2021 at 6:12 pm

    How do I preserve it for gift giving?

    Reply
    • Rachel Gurk says

      December 23, 2021 at 11:26 am

      I haven’t tried preserving it and that’s not my area of expertise, sorry! I’d recommend googling to find a recipe that’s made for canning.

      Reply
  8. Priscilla says

    December 9, 2021 at 10:48 am

    Is it possible to use whiskey instead? Do you think it would change the recipe consistency? Thanks!

    Reply
    • Rachel Gurk says

      December 9, 2021 at 9:34 pm

      That would definitely work! Shouldn’t change anything. :)

      Reply
      • Priscilla says

        December 11, 2021 at 1:02 pm

        Thank you SO MUCH!! Merry Christmas!!

        Reply
        • Rachel Gurk says

          December 13, 2021 at 11:33 am

          Merry Christmas!

          Reply
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