Salted Vanilla Caramel Sauce

Rich, buttery caramel gets a flavorful twist with vanilla and a touch of sea salt. This easy Salted Vanilla Caramel Sauce is made with simple ingredients and coconut cream for a delicious dairy-free topping. Drizzle it over ice cream, brownies, apple crisp, pancakes, or your favorite coffee drinks for an extra touch of sweetness and warmth.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup packed light brown sugar
  • ¼ cup non-dairy butter
  • ½ cup full-fat canned coconut cream
  • 2 tsp Nielsen-Massey Pure Vanilla Extract
  • ¼ tsp sea salt

Directions

  • Stir the entire can of coconut cream well so the thick cream and thinner liquid are fully combined. Measure out ½ cup.
  • Melt the non-dairy butter in a small saucepan over medium-low heat.
  • Add the brown sugar and coconut cream.
  • Stir gently until the mixture is completely smooth and the sugar has dissolved.
  • Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for about 2–3 minutes. Avoid a vigorous boil. Remove from the heat.
  • Stir in the Nielsen-Massey Pure Vanilla Extract and sea salt.
  • Let cool until warm before serving or transferring to jars. The caramel will continue to thicken as it cools.
  • Store covered in the refrigerator and gently warm before serving if needed.

Ways to Use the Sauce

Drizzle over ice cream: Spoon it over vanilla bean, chocolate, coffee, or dairy-free ice cream. Add toasted pecans or flaky sea salt for extra texture.

Finish apple crisp or bread pudding: The brown sugar and vanilla flavors complement baked apples, cinnamon, pears, and warm spices. Drizzle over apple crisp, bread pudding, or a warm fruit crumble just before serving.

Top pancakes, waffles, or French toast: Swap traditional maple syrup for the salted vanilla caramel. It pairs especially well with bananas, toasted walnuts, sliced apples, or cinnamon.

Stir into coffee or drizzle over a latte: Add a spoonful to hot coffee or stir it into an iced latte for a coffehouse-at-home salted caramel drink. You can also drizzle it inside the glass before pouring in the milk and espresso.

Elevate brownies and chocolate desserts: Chocolate and salted caramel are a classic combination. Drizzle the sauce over brownies, chocolate cake, chocolate pudding, or a flourless chocolate torte.

Serve with apples and pears: Use it as a dip for fresh apple slices or drizzle it over roasted pears. Pair with chopped nuts for an easy snack board or an easy fall treat.

Finish cheesecake or other creamy desserts: Pour over vanilla cheesecake, panna cotta, or a dairy-free cheesecake. The caramel adds sweetness and a little salt to balance rich, creamy textures.

Notes

Recipe by @isabellajoliefit

  • 1 cup packed light brown sugar
  • ¼ cup non-dairy butter
  • ½ cup full-fat canned coconut cream
  • 2 tsp Nielsen-Massey Pure Vanilla Extract
  • ¼ tsp sea salt

Directions

  • Stir the entire can of coconut cream well so the thick cream and thinner liquid are fully combined. Measure out ½ cup.
  • Melt the non-dairy butter in a small saucepan over medium-low heat.
  • Add the brown sugar and coconut cream.
  • Stir gently until the mixture is completely smooth and the sugar has dissolved.
  • Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for about 2–3 minutes. Avoid a vigorous boil. Remove from the heat.
  • Stir in the Nielsen-Massey Pure Vanilla Extract and sea salt.
  • Let cool until warm before serving or transferring to jars. The caramel will continue to thicken as it cools.
  • Store covered in the refrigerator and gently warm before serving if needed.

Ways to Use the Sauce

Drizzle over ice cream: Spoon it over vanilla bean, chocolate, coffee, or dairy-free ice cream. Add toasted pecans or flaky sea salt for extra texture.

Finish apple crisp or bread pudding: The brown sugar and vanilla flavors complement baked apples, cinnamon, pears, and warm spices. Drizzle over apple crisp, bread pudding, or a warm fruit crumble just before serving.

Top pancakes, waffles, or French toast: Swap traditional maple syrup for the salted vanilla caramel. It pairs especially well with bananas, toasted walnuts, sliced apples, or cinnamon.

Stir into coffee or drizzle over a latte: Add a spoonful to hot coffee or stir it into an iced latte for a coffehouse-at-home salted caramel drink. You can also drizzle it inside the glass before pouring in the milk and espresso.

Elevate brownies and chocolate desserts: Chocolate and salted caramel are a classic combination. Drizzle the sauce over brownies, chocolate cake, chocolate pudding, or a flourless chocolate torte.

Serve with apples and pears: Use it as a dip for fresh apple slices or drizzle it over roasted pears. Pair with chopped nuts for an easy snack board or an easy fall treat.

Finish cheesecake or other creamy desserts: Pour over vanilla cheesecake, panna cotta, or a dairy-free cheesecake. The caramel adds sweetness and a little salt to balance rich, creamy textures.

Notes

Recipe by @isabellajoliefit

This Recipe Uses

Pure Vanilla Bean Paste

Pure Vanilla Extract

View More Recipes
vanillas & flavors
Popular Links
Inspiration
corporate solutions
About Us
Academy Login
Contact
Nielsen Massey Vanillas Inc 2025 Certification Badge