How to Thicken Caramel Sauce: Top 3 Easy Tips

Last Updated on February 20, 2023

Is your caramel sauce too thin for your taste? Don’t lose hope and follow these step-by-step processes on how to thicken caramel sauce. The quickest method to thicken a caramel sauce is by simmering it on the stove, so the sauce cooks down. You can also create a thicker caramel sauce by changing the quantity of sugar or milk in the recipe, or by substituting cream for the milk.

It is easy to make a thick, creamy, and indulgent caramel sauce, you can either utilize various kinds of thickening agents or apply the reduction method.

Caramel can turn into the golden perfection you want to achieve, so I suggest you keep a close eye on the caramel sauce when you cook it down. It should smell and taste good in making the perfect caramel sauce, and its color must resemble an old copper penny like light amber or medium amber. Its texture should be velvety smooth.

What is Caramel Sauce Used For?

Caramel sauce can be used in a variety of baked goods. It could be a filling, a topping, and even a dip. It is also added to bars, cakes, pies, cookies, candies, and puddings. Most of all, it pairs perfectly with ice cream as a topping. Caramel sauce is used as an ingredient blended with chocolate, whipped cream, and peanut butter. For this reason, caramel sauce is a thick and smooth mixture that is best served as a sweet topping for other pastries.

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What You Will Need to Thicken Caramel Sauce

Ingredients

• 240 ml of caramel sauce
• 1/4 milk
• 1/3 sugar
• 100 ml cream
• 1 tsp of cornstarch
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 5 g tapioca flour

Equipment

• Mixing bowls
• Measuring cups
• Measuring spoons
• Spatula
• Whisk
• Sauce Pan

Winware Stainless 12 Quart Double Boiler with Cover

How to Thicken Caramel Sauce: Simmering It on the Stove

Step 1

Make or buy your usual caramel sauce. Place it in a saucepan and set the stove to medium heat.

Step 2

Stir constantly for 10 minutes. Doing this will cause the liquid to evaporate and give you the right texture to thicken the sauce.

Step 3

Afterward, put away the saucepan. Let it rest. Upon cooling the sauce, you’ll notice how it thickens; allowing the caramel to rest will reduce the caramel’s thickness.

How to Thicken Caramel Using Thickeners

#1 Cornstarch

Step 1

In a bowl, place your caramel sauce (about 240ml), then add one teaspoon of cornstarch and 1/2 teaspoon of water.

Step 2

Continue stirring the caramel sauce making sure that there aren’t clusters forming.

#2 Flour

Step 1

Place your caramel sauce in a bowl, add 1/4 cup of flour, and 60 ml of cold water.

Step 2

Make sure to continuously stir the recipe to have a creamy and thick sauce.

#3 Tapioca Flour

Step 1

Grab a bowl and place your caramel sauce; add the tapioca flour and whisk together until the powder is dissolved. Tapioca flour will keep the glossy texture of the caramel sauce while thickening it.

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How to Thicken Caramel Sauce by Altering the Caramel Recipe

Step 1

Reduce the quantity of milk; cut half of the amount of milk you usually put in. Lessening the liquid will thicken your caramel sauce.

Step 2

Adding an extra sugar quantity when creating a caramel sauce recipe will give you a thicker sauce.

 Step 3

Substitute cream instead of milk. Cream similarly tastes like milk and it won’t alter the preference. Switching out milk for the cream will result in a creamy, heavy caramel sauce.

Tips and Tricks: How To Thicken Caramel Sauce

Do not use hot water with these thickeners; especially on starches, because they result in lumps in hot water. The quantity of each thickener is distinct from one another. So, it is best to check the step-by-step instructions cautiously. Add or remove the sauce that does not attain the desired thickness. Likewise, ensure to dissolve the mixture of thickener and water entirely before adding it to the caramel sauce to avoid clumping.

If you do not have a sweet tooth, you can add a tiny bit of salt to the caramel sauce to lessen the sweetness or avoid using extra sugar at the very least when thickening the caramel sauce. After making the caramel sauce, let it rest for a bit to check if the consistency reached what you desired it to be since caramel sauce is more likely to thicken better when it has been cooled.

Caramel sauce can be frozen in an airtight container made of plastic that could last up to three months. Ensure to defrost the caramel sauce overnight in the refrigerator and gradually warm it before using it. Thawed caramel sauce can be used within two days. 

What Do I Do if My Caramel is Too Runny?

If your caramel is too runny, there are a range of ways you can salvage it and make it thicker. Let’s take a closer look at some of the ways you can achieve this.

• Make a Slurry. Slurries are one of the easiest ways to thicken most foods, including caramel. All you need to do is add equal parts water and equal parts starch (such as cornstarch or tapioca starch) to a bowl and mix well. Then gradually add the slurry to your caramel until you reach the consistency you’re looking for.
• Time. Another way to thicken your caramel is simply to leave it on the stove for longer. The longer it heats, the thicker it will become. However, it’s important not to burn your caramel. You should keep a watchful eye on your caramel at all times.
• Use Heavy Cream. Add some heavy cream to your caramel and then place it back onto the stove over low heat, until the caramel begins to thicken.
• Make More. Another way to thicken your caramel is to simply make more and add it to your first batch of caramel. However, you’ll need to ensure that your second batch is thicker than your first.

How to Fix Caramel That is Too Hard

If your caramel is too hard, there are many ways to make it thinner. Let’s take a closer look.

• Use a Stove. Simply add the caramel to a stove and heat on low for a few minutes. After this time, it’ll melt and become softer. However, ensure not to heat for too long as the caramel may burn.
• Use a Microwave. This is the quickest way to soften your caramel. All you need to do is add the caramel to a microwave-safe covered container and heat for around 20-30 seconds. If it needs longer, heat for another 10 seconds or so at a time. After this point, it should be softer.
• Use a Slow Cooker. This is the most time-consuming method, but it can make for the most delicious caramel. Place your caramel into a slow cooker and heat on low for around 4-6 hours, or heat on high for around an hour. Remove from the cooker and leave to cool before eating, or storing.

How to Make Caramel That Hardens

If you’re looking to make the perfect hardened caramel, then look no further. For this option, you’ll need:

• 2 tablespoons of water
• 3/4 cup of white sugar

Now all you need to do is:

1. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and add the water to a pan.
2. Add the sugar to the water and heat over medium heat and allow the sugar to dissolve. At this point, you should not be stirring the mixture.
3. When dissolving begins, turn the heat to high until the mixture resembles caramel. And then pour the caramel onto your prepared baking sheet.
4. Leave your caramel to cool and then use a knife to chop your caramel into the shapes you desire. Store in an airtight container at room temperature, for best results.

How to Make Caramel Liquid

If you’re looking to make caramel liquid, the best way to do is to make a caramel sauce. For this recipe, you’ll need the following ingredients:

• 1 cup of white sugar
• 3/4 cup of heavy cream
• 3 tablespoons of butter
• 3 tablespoons of water

Now all you need to do is:

1. Add the water and sugar to a pan and heat on medium heat until your sugar has completely dissolved.
2. Once completely dissolved, do not stir and turn the heat to high and wait until your caramel turns a dark brown color. Remove from heat and gradually add the cream and butter; mixing as you go. Keep mixing until you’re happy with the consistency.

Conclusion

I hope this post has given you varying ways how to thicken caramel sauce. There are many ways to do this and they’re all as easy as the next! Do you have any tips or tricks when it comes to thickening caramel sauce? If so, please feel free to let me know in the comments below. And remember, sharing is caring!