This post is sponsored for One2One Network on behalf of ACH Food. I am partnering with them as a Become a Better Baker Blog Ambassador.
I LOVE caramel. Any dessert that can be topped or dipped, I’ll pair it with caramel sauce. And truth be told, I’m fairly confident any dessert can be made better by a little (or a lot) of caramel sauce.
When my friends at ACH Foods asked me to put my own spin on their delicious Caramel Dip recipe, I instantly knew that I wanted to mix it up a bit with an extra kick of vanilla beans and sea salt. Thanks to ACH Foods for sponsoring this post.
Have you ever made homemade caramel sauce? It’s easy and delicious. You can quickly make up a batch for dessert and store the extra in your fridge for another night. Though I do find myself eating a lot of apples when I have homemade caramel sauce in my fridge. Go figure! It goes great with everything from ice cream, to fruit, to apple pie, to a spoon. (Don’t worry, I won’t judge on that spoon one). My family loves to use it as a dip when I make Pretzel Bites. It’s also perfect over ice cream. We all scream for ice cream, especially in the summertime, and I’m thinking a Sunday Summer Sundaes needs to happen with my kids before school is back in session.
This recipe comes together quickly and is made with seven simple ingredients. You start by melting butter in your saucepan.
Once your butter is melted, you stir in your brown sugar, Karo® Light Corn Syrup and water.
These ingredients are brought to a boil and then sweetened condensed milk is added.
After boiling the mixture for three minutes, it’s removed from the heat and vanilla, vanilla beans and sea salt are added. The vanilla adds an extra hint of sweetness, which the sea salt balances nicely.
It is then ready to serve, or be kept warm in a slow cooker or fondue pot. Caramel fondue – how amazing does that sound? I serve my caramel sauce and then store the leftovers in glass mason jars in the fridge. This recipe makes four cups, so you have plenty and can even share some with a lucky friend or neighbor! Yum, look at those little flecks of vanilla bean! It’s not an overwhelming flavor of vanilla, but you can absolutely taste the hint of vanilla throughout.
Pretzel bites, anyone? Salty, sweet, creamy and chewy all in one – this combo has it ALL.
While I love this sauce with pretty much anything, I think my absolute favorite item to pair it with is Granny Smith apples. The tartness of the apples is a wonderful counter for the sweetness of the caramel.
What do YOU like to dip in your caramel sauce?
Salted Vanilla Bean Caramel Dip
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter OR margarine
- 2 cups brown sugar
- 1 cup Karo® Light Corn Syrup
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1 can 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk
- 1 teaspoon Spice Islands® Pure Vanilla Extract
- 1 Spice Islands® Vanilla Bean seeds scraped and removed
- 1/2 tsp Sea Salt more can be added if desired
Instructions
- Melt butter in a medium sized saucepan. Stir in sugar, corn syrup and water. Bring to a full boil over medium-high heat. Add condensed milk, stirring constantly. Bring to a full boil for three minutes. Remove from heat and add vanilla, seeds from vanilla bean and sea salt. Serve immediately or keep warm in a slow cooker or fondue pot.
- Dip fresh fruit or pretzels in the Caramel Sauce, or use as a topping for ice cream.
- Recipe tip: Prepare ahead and reheat in microwave. If sauce seems too thick, stir in 1 tablespoon water or milk.
Disclaimer
Nutrition information is estimated as a courtesy. If using for medical purposes, please verify information using your own nutritional calculator. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Disclosure: This post was sponsored by ACH Foods. All opinions however are mine and mine alone.
Molly says
How long is it good for?
Joan Hayes says
Ugh, I love caramel too, I put it on everything! This looks so amazing with that vanilla bean – totally making some asap!
Christi says
Thanks Joan! I’m of the mindset that a little (or a lot) of caramel sauce is great on anything. 🙂
amanda says
This looks amazing!!!
Christi says
Thanks Amanda!
Stephanie | Worth Whisking says
Ooh, I love caramel dip! I’ve been known to sit down and eat caramel apple dip by the spoonful, and I could totally do the same with this Salted Vanilla Bean Caramel Sauce! Thanks for the recipe, Christi!
Jessica @ Sweetest Menu says
That caramel sauce looks like pure heaven Christi!