Description
This easy homemade caramel glaze elevates any dessert with its intoxicating aroma and glossy texture. It’s a quick and comforting treat perfect for weeknights, simple to create with warm sugar, cream, and unique aromatic spices.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 0.25 cup water
- 0.5 cup heavy cream, warmed (or full-fat canned coconut cream for dairy-free)
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into 0.5-inch pieces (or margarine)
- 1 teaspoon alcohol-free vanilla extract
- 0.5 teaspoon ground green cardamom
- 1 tablespoon black sesame seeds, divided
- 1 tablespoon toasted coconut flakes
Instructions
- Prepare and Warm Cream: Gently warm 0.5 cup heavy cream in a small saucepan until steaming, then remove from heat. Gather butter, alcohol-free vanilla, and ground cardamom nearby.
- Caramelize Sugar: Combine 1 cup granulated sugar and 0.25 cup water in a heavy-bottomed, light-colored saucepan. Stir over medium heat until sugar dissolves, then boil. Cease stirring; cook 8-12 minutes until a deep amber color develops.
- Add Warm Cream: Immediately and carefully remove the saucepan from heat. Slowly pour the warm heavy cream into the hot caramel while continuously whisking; it will bubble vigorously. Whisk until smooth.
- Incorporate Flavor: Add 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, 1 teaspoon alcohol-free vanilla, and 0.5 teaspoon ground green cardamom. Whisk until butter is melted and incorporated, forming a glossy caramel glaze (Tip: Use a sturdy 2-quart saucepan for caramels to prevent burning).
- Add Sesame and Cool: Stir in 0.5 tablespoon of the black sesame seeds. Let the caramel glaze cool in the saucepan for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally. It will thicken to a pourable, slightly viscous consistency.
- Serve: Drizzle the warm caramel glaze generously over your chosen dessert on a light-colored plate. Immediately scatter the remaining 0.5 tablespoon black sesame seeds and 1 tablespoon toasted coconut flakes for added texture.
Notes
If your caramel crystallizes, gently reheat with a splash of water or cream and stir until smooth again. Store leftover glaze in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert Sauce
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: General
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tablespoons glaze (30 g)
- Calories: 140 calories
- Sugar: 17 g
- Sodium: 10 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 0.5 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg
Keywords: caramel, glaze, sauce, dessert topping, easy, stovetop, sweet, aromatic, cardamom, vanilla