Elevate your desserts with this thick vegan caramel sauce in minutes. This luscious sauce is made of plant-based ingredients and will be your new favorite sweet indulgence!
Satisfy your cravings for the rich, velvety goodness of this thick vegan caramel sauce without compromising on flavor. It is crafted from cashew butter, maple syrup, and a touch of vanilla to form a sweet condiment that will make you crave more.
Whether drizzled over desserts, swirled into breakfast dishes, or enjoyed on its own, this vegan caramel sauce is sweet happiness, one spoonful at a time.
If you love a vegan sweet treat, try this 2-ingredient fudge and gingerbread cashew butter to satisfy your cravings.
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Why you'll love this recipe
- Plant-based decadence – By using just cashew butter and maple syrup, this recipe offers a plant-based alternative to satisfy your sweet tooth.
- Versatile delight – From pancakes to ice cream, waffles to fruit bowls, this dairy-free caramel complements an array of dishes.
- Healthier sweet treat – Unlike conventional caramel sauces loaded with refined sugars and unhealthy fats, this vegan version embraces nourishing ingredients.
- Easily customizable – This recipe offers room for creativity. Tailor it to suit your preferences, experimenting with salt levels, consistency, and more.
Ingredient notes
- Cashew butter – Opt for natural cashew butter that contains just cashews and no added oils or sugars. It ensures the purity of flavor and a smooth consistency.
- Pure maple syrup – Use 100% pure maple syrup for its distinct flavor and natural sweetness. Avoid pancake syrups or products labeled "maple-flavored," as they often contain artificial additives.
- Sea salt – Sea salt adds a lovely balance to the caramel. But you can experiment with different types of salt, like Himalayan pink salt, for a unique flavor.
- Water – Use filtered water to ensure the purity of your caramel sauce. The amount of water you add can affect the consistency. Adjust it according to your preference.
- Additional flavor variations – Consider adding a touch of other flavors like vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, or even a hint of espresso powder for a twist.
See recipe card for quantities.
Tips & substitutions
- Vary the nut butter – If you don't have cashew butter, use almond butter, sunflower seed butter, or tahini for a unique flavor twist.
- Replace the water – You can replace water with non-dairy milk for an even creamier texture and added flavor.
- Whisk frequently – Stirring the caramel sauce constantly while cooking is essential to prevent burning.
- Manage the heat – Keep the heat low to medium throughout the cooking process. Higher heat can cause the maple syrup to caramelize too quickly, leading to a bitter taste.
- Cool to thicken – The caramel sauce will thicken as it cools. If you find it too thin after cooking, allow it to cool for a few minutes before transferring it to a container. It will continue to thicken as it sits.
How to make vegan caramel
Step 1: Make sure your cashew butter is at room temperature or slightly warmed to make it easy to mix.
Step 2: In a small saucepan, combine the cashew butter, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and sea salt.
Step 3: Place the saucepan over low to medium heat and start whisking the mixture to combine the ingredients. Stir until the mixture is smooth.
Step 4: Gradually add the water to the mixture while stirring. It helps thin out the caramel and gives it a smooth consistency.
Step 5: Continue to cook the mixture, stirring constantly. The mixture will begin to thicken and darken in color when cooked for 5-7 minutes.
Step 6: Once the caramel has reached the desired consistency, remove it from the heat. Let it cool before you transfer it to a clean glass jar or container. It will thicken a bit as it cools.
Expert tip
Master the emulsion process! Emulsion means combining ingredients that wouldn't naturally mix, such as water-based maple syrup and fat-rich cashew butter.
When you add water to the mixture, do so slowly while constantly whisking. It prevents the caramel sauce from separating and encourages the water and fats to integrate seamlessly.
What to serve with vegan caramel sauce
This thick vegan caramel sauce is a delicious addition to sweet dishes. Here are some ideas for what to serve with it:
- Desserts – Drizzle the caramel sauce over ice cream like this peanut butter banana nice cream and almond dark chocolate nice cream. Or, pour it over cakes, pies, pancakes, and waffles to add a caramel touch.
- Breakfast foods – Swirl the caramel sauce into this apple cinnamon oatmeal and banana porridge for added sweetness. And serve it with this quick mixed berry compote and some yogurt for the ultimate morning indulgence.
- Baked goods – The dairy-free caramel is also delicious when drizzled over these banana nut muffins and blueberry buttermilk muffins to add a different texture.
- Warm drinks – Hot chocolate or coffee with a touch of caramel? Yes, please! Pour the caramel sauce into this vegan protein hot chocolate for the ultimate flavor combo.
Recipe FAQ
Vegan caramel uses plant-based ingredients to replicate the flavors and textures of traditional caramel, which typically relies on butter, cream, and sugar.
The vegan version usually is made of nut or seed butter, a sweetener, and other flavors like vanilla and sea salt. When cooking the caramel, water is added gradually to thin out the sauce and achieve the desired consistency.
This homemade caramel recipe offers a cruelty-free and dairy-free alternative for those who want to enjoy the flavors of caramel while living a plant-based lifestyle.
While vegan caramel sauce might have a slightly different texture due to the absence of dairy, the goal is to achieve a similarly smooth and luxurious consistency.
You can experiment with natural sweeteners, like maple syrup, agave nectar, or date syrup. Keep in mind that each sweetener impacts the flavor and texture of the sauce.
Store your sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Due to its natural ingredients, consume it within a couple of weeks.
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📖 Recipe
Thick Vegan Caramel Sauce
Ingredients
- 150 g cashew butter (½ cup)
- 100 ml maple syrup (⅓ cup)
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- 3 tablespoon water (filtered)
Instructions
- Make sure your cashew butter is at room temperature or slightly warmed to make it easy to mix.
- In a small saucepan, combine the cashew butter, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and sea salt. Place the saucepan over low to medium heat and start whisking the mixture to combine the ingredients. Continue stirring until the mixture is smooth and well-mixed.
- Gradually add the water to the mixture while stirring. It helps thin out the caramel and gives it a smooth consistency. Continue to cook the mixture, stirring constantly. The mixture will begin to thicken and darken in color when cooked for 5-7 minutes.
- Once the caramel has reached the desired consistency, remove it from the heat. Let it cool before you transfer it to a clean glass jar or container. It will thicken a bit as it cools.
Notes
- Vary the nut butter – If you don't have cashew butter, use almond butter, sunflower seed butter, or tahini for a unique flavor twist.
- Manage the heat – Keep the heat low to medium throughout the cooking process. Higher heat can cause the maple syrup to caramelize too quickly, leading to a bitter taste.
- Cool to thicken – The caramel sauce will thicken as it cools. If you find it too thin after cooking, allow it to cool for a few minutes before transferring it to a container. It will continue to thicken as it sits.
- Additional flavors – Add spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, or cardamom for a unique twist. You can also infuse the caramel with coffee or citrus zest.
Nutrition
Nutritional values are estimates only calculated with the recipe calorie and nutrition calculator provided by verywellfit.com. The author of this website is not a nutritionist nor a doctor. All nutritional data provided in the recipes and correspondent blog posts are for informational purposes only. Do not use the information as nutritional or medical advice.
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