This Healthier Salted Caramel Sauce is made from maple syrup and coconut cream, is extremely smooth and takes just 30 minutes to make from start to finish.
K soooooo none of these photos do this caramel sauce justice. Ya see, I’ve seen my fair share of caramel sauce recipes this fall. I knew I wanted to make my own and I knew I wanted it to be healthy, but I wanted it to be GOOD. Not like “oh that’s good for being healthy” good, like GOOD GOOD. You know I’m a huge date caramel fan so I definitely considered going that route, but ultimately decided that I wanted the real deal. So that’s where this healthier salted caramel sauce comes in.
Before I keep chatting about caramel, I want to rant. Well, not rant rant, but I need to tell a story. Why? Because you guys are the best listeners.
So yesterday Layla and I were on our afternoon walk per the usual. Side note: she gets really excited around certain people randomly. People she knows of course, but certain strangers too. We walked by this house and a man was standing outside his house. Layla immediately started freaking out from excitement (like, whyyyyyy) and so the man started up a conversation. He asked me what kind of dog, where I got her, how old…typical questions. We continued the conversation for a couple of minutes when he started walking toward the sidewalk where Layla and I were standing. Layla was still super pumped and clearly wanted to say hi to him and I assumed he wanted to pet her since we had just been talking about her for a strange amount of time.
But NO. Instead he says, “Oh no get that thing away from me. I don’t want to smell like dog.”
WHAAAAAAAAT. Then why were you acting interested in my dog if you hate dogs?!
I then proceeded to analyze this moment for a stupid amount of time. Dude: get out of here. Kthnxbyeeeeeee.
[insert smooth transition like never] So, about this caramel sauce..
It’s smooth—much smoother than my transitions. I opted to use maple syrup and coconut cream as the base. I experimented four other ways and liked this one the best. I tried using a ton of butter but decided that wasn’t the route I wanted to take, and I also tried using a ton of coconut sugar but thought it tasted a little too coconut-y for my liking. This recipe is simple as can be and takes approximately 30 minutes from start to finish. You’ll want to put the ingredients in the pan and stir occasionally, but you really don’t need to be attentive until the final seven minutes or so.
Last but not least, I didn’t call this “healthy caramel sauce” because there are healthier versions out there. I like to think this is a nice in between—pretty healthy but with a dab of butter and sugar. Aka how every “sweet” recipe should be, amiright? Cheers to this healthier salted caramel sauce!
PrintHealthier Salted Caramel Sauce
This Healthier Salted Caramel Sauce is made with coconut cream and maple syrup and comes together in about 30 minutes total!
- Prep Time: 2 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Total Time: 30 mins
- Yield: 2-4
- Category: dessert
- Method: stovetop
- Cuisine: sauce
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
- 1/3 cup coconut cream
- 2 tbsp coconut oil
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp butter*
- 1 tbsp coconut sugar**
- 1/4 tsp salt
Instructions
- Place all ingredients into a pot over the stovetop and bring to a boil, stirring so that everything is combined.
- Once mixture starts boiling, turn heat on low and simmer mixture for 25 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- After 25 minutes, stir the caramel continuously for the remaining 5 minutes, allowing it to thicken.
- Pour caramel in a jar or container and allow it to cool; this will help the caramel thicken up a bit too.
- Enjoy!
Notes
*Can sub for dairy free butter
**Can sub for regular sugar
Keywords: caramel sauce, healthy caramel sauce, vegan caramel sauce
Q: Ever made your own caramel sauce? What did you use as the base? …I’m genuinely curious since I tried it so many ways!
Can you send the nutritional information on this recipe …. and the wheat flour cinnamon roll recipe?
In no way should this be considered healthy. It is very close to the same amount of sugar and adds a negligible amount of nutrients.
scrumptious :-*
★★★★★
This was absolutely delicious. I’m not sure it’s all that healthy but we can deceive ourselves that this puddle of gorgeousness is healthy
★★★★★
This was so yummy, reminded me of the base in the coconut frosting on a German chocolate cake.
★★★★
Love this! I make a coconut caramel sauce as well but I need to try this one for sure, because you can never have too much caramel!!
Sarah recently posted…Kimchi Fried Wild Rice
So true! Let me know if you try it.
Hi, i messed it up 🙁 maybe my simmer was too hot because it separated oil from other stuff early on, and by the end of 30 minutes it was burnt. maybe next time i will get it right
Tried this recipe today – delicious! I used it in a banoffee recipe by Trish Deseine and it complemented the salty crackers and the dark chocolate extremely well. Thanks!
I’m so glad you tried it and liked it! Thanks for the feedback 🙂
I actually have the opposite problem with my dog because everyone always wants to pet her and she doesn’t like everyone (especially strangers) and while she’s never really hurt anyone, she’s a shepherd so she’s bred to jump after sheep’s faces and lower legs and not everyone likes that apparently so I never really allow random people to touch her yet whenever a restaurant or park says no dogs I get really offended even if she’s not with me which is not a lot but I’ll still not go because if they don’t want her they don’t want me. And last but not least that caramel sauce is everything that has been missing in my life
★★★★★
Hi..does this have to be stored one the fridge ? And how long does it keep ? Thank you
Hi! Yes, it should be stored in the fridge and reheated when you’re ready to use it and it should keep for up to 5 days.
Can you freeze it? Your caramel sauce may be the most scrumptious I’ve ever had, and to think that it’s healthier than the original! But it’s too much for me.
p.s. I didn’t rate the recipe because it wouldn’t let me give more than one star and this recipe deserves all of them!
Hi Dawn, I’m glad you like it! I’ve never tried freezing it, but I do know it can be refrigerated in a covered container for a couple of weeks at least, and reheated over the stovetop or in the microwave at your convenience.
T freezes just fine
Oh my gosh I have totally ran into that kind of situation with my dog! People always say he is beautiful but apparently just want to look at him from afar!
Hilary recently posted…Friday Favorites #12
Yes! So rude.
First of all, these pictures totally did this caramel sauce justice. It looks amazing and I love that it’s made from wholesome ingredients!
Second, people are so freaking weird sometimes. He should have just walked inside and waited for you guys to leave if he wanted to avoid her. What a jerk. He’s not special enough to pet Layla anyways, pssh!
I was out walking Coco the other day and this old guy asked me if she was pregnant! She’s 13 years old! lol. She has a saggy belly from when she had her uterus removed as a puppy but she’s definitely not pregnant. Don’t people know better than to ask a lady that?! 😉
Sarah @ Making Thyme for Health recently posted…Friday Favorites
Exactly! Only nice people get to pet her 😀 And that’s so weird–people are so weird!! I don’t understand.
I love making homemade caramel and i usually use the Vegan 8’s sweet potato caramel, its amazing and this looks just as good! I have never seen a recipe that uses maple syrup and coconut cream, i gotta try this one 🙂
rachel @ athletic avocado recently posted…Spicy Cinnamon Blackened Salmon with Pumpkin Cranberry Salsa
Duuuuuude you’re a genius! I’ve never seen a healthy caramel recipe that actually sounds like it would be good. I can’t wait to try this.
Also I hope that guy falls in a stinky mud puddle and smells 1000x worse than dog all day
Georgie recently posted…Edible Snickerdoodle Cookie Dough
AHAHHA me too 😀 And thanksssss lady let me know if you try it!
I’ve actually never tried making my own caramel sauce, but you’re making me want to give it a go. Usually I just go the date route, but I’m super curious to see how one like this would taste.
Amanda @ .running with spoons. recently posted…. thinking out loud #151 .
I love the date route–love love love–but sometimes you just need the real deal. I’ll keep my eyes out for a recipe on RWS 😉
LOVE this recipe! I just found your site – I’m from Pittsburgh, too! Nice to e-meet you! 😉
Alexa [fooduzzi.com] recently posted…Addictive Smoky Black Bean Dip (The Dip of Love)
You too!! Thanks for commenting 🙂
So weird! I’m as duped as you – why did he walk towards yall then??? Now am sitting here wondering – and I don’t have this dairy free caramel sauce to keep me company! GAH! 🙂
Shashi at RunninSrilankan recently posted…Bloody Beet Bowls
I always say that people who don’t like/love dogs are not worth knowing anyway. Harsh? Maybe. But my dogs are my best friends/girlfraaaans/loves of my life.
This looks amazing and I think the pictures are pretty darn good at capturing that!
Pragati // Simple Medicine recently posted…How to Beat the Afternoon Slump
It’s so true!! Dog haters are just cranky people.
Ok so this is going to be making its appearance at many of my holiday meals. Pinning now, I have a feeling this will be super popular around my house, thanks for sharing!!
Sam @ PancakeWarriors recently posted…Pumpkin Spice Maple Sunflower Seeds
Yeahhhhh do it!! Thanks girl 🙂
Ha! That guy is just silly…doesn’t he know petting dogs is one of the best stress relievers ever? Le sigh..can’t win all the battles.
This SAWCE! Gaaah it looks so thick and perfect! I want to drizzle it on all the things!
Julia recently posted…Yellow Curry Lentils and Halloumi
EW to the dog hater. People like that piss me off. I don’t trust people who don’t like dogs and I generally assume they’re missing part of their souls.
Kelly @ Kelly Runs For Food recently posted…Hiking at Torrey Pines
HAHA I think the sameeeeee thing.
Oh my word girl you read my freaking MIND! Literally, I have some coconut cream in my fridge (that I’ve been putting in my coffee >> thanks to Georgie…) and I have been dreaming up a healthier caramel sauce this whole week. But I need to use up said coconut cream and this will be PERFECT! So excited 😀
Ashley @ Fit Mitten Kitchen recently posted…Spiced Matcha Latte [dairy-free, vegan, paleo]
I MADE THIS AND IT WAS SO GOOD! <3 On my pancake dinner, in my coffee… I had grander plans for said caramel, but they didn't pan out. Next time though (hopefully soon) you'll see what I had in store for this amazingness 😉
Ashley @ Fit Mitten Kitchen recently posted…Triple Chocolate Coconut Granola Clusters [with protein]
★★★★★
I LOVE THAT YOU MADE THIS. Seriously made my night 🙂 Excited to see said plans/recipe 😀