What is the difference between caramel and vegan caramel?

Vegan Caramel Sauce works just the same as standard dairy based caramel sauce . You just need to replace the dairy based ingredients with plant based ingredients. That means it has the same amount of fat and sugar.

Is salted caramel flavouring vegan?

Ingredients: Flavouring substances, Flavouring preparations, Triacetin (E1518), Propylene Glycol (E1520). Dietary Information: Suitable for Vegans , Ovo-lacto Vegetarians & Vegetarians, Non-GMO, Gluten Free, Halal Friendly, Kosher Friendly, Allergen Free, Non-Irradiated, No Added Sugar.

How to make caramel sauce thicker without cornstarch?

If you want a thickener that will not alter the glossy color of the caramel, try tapioca flour (not pearls). Simply add small amount to your sauce to thicken it.

Why is caramel sauce not vegan?

Because caramel is essentially just sugar, in its purest form, it is vegan . However, it is often mixed with dairy cream, butter, or milk, which is why it's important to always check the back of store-bought caramel candy.

What is vegan caramel made of?

The base for this 5-ingredient caramel is coconut cream, dates, and arrowroot starch , which are blended until creamy and smooth. This makes up the liquid ingredients, which are added to a bit of coconut sugar and cooked until glossy and just bubbly.

Is Ghirardelli Sea Salt caramel vegan?

This product contains 5 ingredients that are not vegan and 4 ingredients that may not be vegan.

Why is my homemade caramel sauce bitter?

Overheating the mixture Follow the recipe carefully, and never melt your caramel on your stove's highest setting—it will cause the caramel to scorch and taste burnt. Once it gets a burnt or bitter flavor, it can't be saved. Luckily, sugar is inexpensive, so you can always start over!

Why did my caramel sauce turn to sugar?

This can happen if sugar crystals form on the sides of the saucepan or if the sugar syrup is mixed too much while cooking . Adjust the Heat: If the caramel cooked at a high heat, causing it to crystallize or burn, lower the heat for future batches.

Why is my salted caramel runny?

If you're using heavy cream, note that it contains more water (less butterfat) than double cream. If your caramel sauce ends up too runny, cook it for a few minutes longer to remove some of the moisture – this will thicken it up . (And next time, try using a slightly smaller amount of heavy cream.)

Does homemade caramel thicken as it cools?

As it cools, it will thicken . You will need to store the caramel sauce in the refrigerator, so it will firm up even more once chilled. Just bring it back to room temperature and microwave before drizzling or dipping! Note: Add 1-2 tablespoons more cream to thin it more before serving, if preferred.

How to make caramel set harder?

If caramels are too soft, that means the temperature didn't get high enough. Again place the caramel back into a sauce pan with a couple of tablespoons of water and heat to 244°F . If you don't have a candy thermometer, you can test with a cold water test.

Vegan Salted Caramel Sauce (Easy Recipe)

By Ela on 2. May, 2021 | 33 Comments. This post may contain affiliate links*. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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5 from 5 votes

This 4-ingredient vegan caramel sauce is rich, flavorful, and healthier than traditional caramel. It consists of unrefined coconut sugar and coconut milk, which makes the salted caramel sauce dairy-free, paleo-friendly, and refined sugar-free. Plus, it can be made low and slow for sweet and decadent results or even in just 5 minutes with a quick ‘hack’!

Just like how people crave chocolate (I do that too – why else would I keep a constant supply of treats like chocolate truffles and chocolate fudge cookies in my fridge!), I also crave creamy, sweet, silky caramel.

When I say this dairy-free caramel sauce is good enough to eat with a spoon straight from the jar, I mean it (believe me, I speak from experience). However, just a tiny drizzle of it over almost anything (list of suggestions below) is perfect for satisfying a sweet tooth too. I always have a small bowl of it when I get out the apple slices, since it works as a delicious vegan caramel dip, too!

I’ve also included two methods below; a longer simmer and reduce method for a thicker, darker, sweeter coconut caramel sauce. Alternatively, for those of you who want something in a pinch, you can follow my ‘cheat’ method for vegan caramel sauce in 5 minutes! Though I really prefer the longer method because the caramel flavor is more intense and the texture is so much better!

The Ingredients and Substitutions

Coconut Milk: I use full-fat canned coconut milk as it’s thick and creamy – don’t use a Tetra Pak version (carton). Tinned coconut cream may work, too, though I haven’t tried it.
Coconut sugar: I love to use coconut sugar as the flavor is delicious, and it’s less processed, too – perfect for a healthy caramel sauce. However, you could also use brown sugar or even ground date sugar.
Vanilla Extract: Use natural vanilla extract for the best flavor.
Sea salt: Whether or not you want vegan salted caramel, adding even just a pinch of salt is important to enhance the flavors of this caramel sauce. I use sea salt- however, you could also use salt flakes (Fleur de Sel).
Cornstarch: OPTIONAL – This is only needed if you use the ‘quick method’. For paleo caramel sauce, try arrowroot starch instead.

For thefull ingredients list, measurements, complete recipe method, and nutritional information, please read the recipe card below.

How to Make Salted Caramel Sauce

The Full Method:

First, combine the coconut milk and coconut sugar in a medium saucepan and bring the mixture to a boil while stirring or whisking to allow the sugar to melt.
Once it boils, reduce the heat to medium-low to simmer for around 35 minutes, stirring occasionally. During this time, the sauce will thicken slightly – it’s ready when it begins to cling to the back of a spoon.

Don’t reduce it too much, as the sauce will continue to thicken up as it cools.

Add the salt and vanilla extract and stir it in. Then allow the sauce to cool at room temperature for 15 minutes before using it as-is or transferring it to a clean glass jar (preferable with a lid). Transfer the jar to the fridge, where it will thicken up further.

The 5-minute version:

This method cuts down on the simmering/reducing time for a coconut caramel sauce that is ready in just minutes!

Add the coconut milk, sugar, and cornstarch to the pan and mix well to dissolve the cornstarch, then bring the mixture to a boil.
Once it boils, allow it to simmer for 3-5 minutes over medium-low heat, occasionally stirring, while the sauce thickens. Then add the salt and vanilla, allow it to cool, and transfer to a jar.

The quick caramel is not as sweet because the liquid isn’t being reduced, so you might need to add more coconut sugar. The sauce is lighter, and it doesn’t thicken as much. Adding a tablespoon of creamy peanut butter during simmering does help to make the sauce a bit thicker and improves the texture.

How to Use Vegan Caramel Sauce?

You can serve this as a vegan caramel dip or drizzle with

Pancakes, crepes,and waffles
Ice-cream
Oatmeal and baked oatmeal
Yogurt
Cheesecake
Brownies and cakes
Apple crisp and plum and apple crumble
Cookies
Dip for apple slices and fruits
Stirred into hot drinks like coffee, tea, and hot cocoa

How to Store?

To Store: Store the reduced caramel sauce in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. The “quick” caramel should be consumed within a couple of days.

To Freeze: Allow to cool, then store in a freezer-safe container with ½-inch headspace (for expansion) for up to 2 months.

The vegan caramel sauce will get thicker in the refrigerator, so you may need to heat it slightly before using, to bring it back to a pourable consistency. You can do this in the microwave or place the entire jar in a bowl/ pan of hot water until warmed through.

FAQs

Is caramel vegan?

Traditionally caramel contains dairy (often in the form of cream) and sometimes even butter. However, this recipe substitutes those ingredients for a delicious dairy-free caramel sauce.

Can I flavor the sauce?

You sure can. Add in melted chocolate, a few spoonfuls of booze, instant coffee, fruit purée, and various spices to easily adjust the flavor. If you prefer a saltier vegan caramel sauce, just increase the salt. Add any flavorings right at the end, before allowing the caramel to cool.

Does this coconut caramel sauce taste like coconut?

The coconut flavor is very slight. Personally, I don’t think it tastes very coconutty at all.

Recipe Notes

For even richer results: You can add in a little dairy-free butter while the sauce reduces. This will create a silkier, richer mouthfeel- just make sure to use vegan butter you like the taste of! Or, as mentioned above, use a little peanut butter!
To adjust the consistency: The time you spend simmering the mixture will change how thin/thick the sauce is. For the cheat method, you can adjust the amount of cornstarch added.
Be careful not to burn the sugar: It takes just seconds to turn from caramelized to burnt – which is why cooking the dairy-free caramel sauce over a low simmer is necessary!

More Vegan Caramel Recipes

Caramel Apple Cheesecake
Easy Crème Caramel
Caramel Chocolate Brownies
Caramel Stuffed Chocolate Pancakes

If you try this vegan salted caramel sauce recipe, I’d love a comment and★★★★★recipe ratingbelow. Also, please don’t forget totag me in re-creations on Instagram or Facebookwith@elavegan and #elavegan – I love seeing them.