Cozy Spiced Apple Cider Caramel Sauce
A quick and easy spiced apple cider caramel sauce that perfectly complements crisp apples with a warm, buttery, and lightly spiced flavor. Ideal for fall and winter treats, this sauce is versatile and comforting.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: About 1 cup sauce (approximately 8 servings of 2 tbsp each) 1x
- Category: Sauce
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup (240 ml) apple cider
- ½ cup (100 g) dark brown sugar
- 4 tbsp (56 g) unsalted butter
- ¼ cup (60 ml) heavy cream
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp ground cloves
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Pour 1 cup (240 ml) of apple cider into a medium saucepan and bring to a gentle boil over medium heat. Let it simmer until reduced by half, about 10-12 minutes.
- Stir in ½ cup (100 g) dark brown sugar and 4 tbsp (56 g) unsalted butter. Whisk over medium heat until the butter melts completely and the sugar dissolves, and the mixture thickens slightly.
- Add 1 tsp ground cinnamon, ¼ tsp ground cloves, and a pinch of salt. Stir well to blend the spices evenly.
- Gradually pour in ¼ cup (60 ml) heavy cream while whisking continuously. Continue stirring until the sauce is smooth and slightly thickened, about 3-4 minutes.
- Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in 1 tsp vanilla extract.
- Let the sauce cool slightly before serving. If it becomes too thick, gently warm and whisk until pourable.
Notes
Use a heavy-bottomed pan to prevent burning. Stir constantly during simmering and when adding cream to avoid grainy texture. Sauce thickens as it cools; rewarm gently if needed. For dairy-free, substitute butter with coconut oil and heavy cream with coconut cream. Add a splash of bourbon or maple syrup for variation. Store in airtight container in fridge up to 1 week.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tablespoons (30 ml
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 15
- Fat: 6
- Carbohydrates: 18
Keywords: apple cider caramel sauce, spiced caramel sauce, fall recipe, apple dip, caramel sauce for apples, easy caramel sauce, autumn dessert sauce