The only thing better than hot fudge sauce? Chocolate Caramel Fudge Sauce! You’re going to want to put this on EVERYTHING!
How to Make Caramel Fudge Sauce
Whenever we’re in Paris, I try to visit as many grocery stores, boutique food shops, and boulangeries as humanly possible. They’re so much fun to peruse and never cease to delight me! As a blogger, and a food lover in general, it’s fun to discover new items I’ve never seen or heard of before, and I always end up splurging on a few to bring home and try out. Last trip I hauled home not one, but two (!!!) giant jars of salted caramel chocolate sauce from a small shop in Montmarte. The kind girl working there offered me a sample before I checked out… and seconds after tasting it I swiped up a second jar. Clearly she is very good at her job haha.
But seriously! It was literally one of the best things to ever hit my tongue. And so when I ran out of my second jar last weekend, I knew what needed to be done. So I got in the kitchen and did what I do best…
I tested and tweaked and tested some more. And after quite a few fails, I finally recreated a chocolate caramel fudge sauce that’s worthy of sharing with you! It’s thick, rich, supremely flavorful, and so decadent. Perfect for ice cream, but you can also use it in recipes like my death by chocolate cake… or just spread it on toast! I’m sure you’ll find a million ways to gobble this stuff up.
My favorite way to eat this chocolate caramel syrup? By the spoonful! No shame in my game 😉
How to make Chocolate Caramel Sauce
Tips and Tricks for Recipe Success:
- You’re going to want to use a pot with very tall sides, because when you add the cream to the caramel it will bubble up furiously! Please be careful during this step ♥
- Speaking of the pot, be sure to use a high-quality heavy metal pot. Most cheap cookware is very thin and heats unevenly, so avoid using them for caramel. I also don’t recommend non-stick pans since high-heat can damage them. I love using this Kitchenaid saucepan.
- Once you’ve added the sugar, water, and corn syrup to the pan, you’ll want to whisk them together until well combined, and then avoid stirring the rest of the time. Instead, occasionally, and gently, tilt the pan side-to-side to help the ingredients cook evenly and avoid burning. This no-stir method helps avoid sugar crystals from forming.
- The caramel takes time to develop, so be patient while it boils. You want it to reach a deep golden brown color before removing it from the heat. Removing it too soon can cause gritty caramel.
- Once you’ve removed your caramel from the heat you want to add your cream right away! Make sure you’ve placed it in a spouted measuring cup so you can slowly add it in. As mentioned earlier, the mixture will aggressively bubble up, but as long as you used a tall sided pan, it won’t overflow. Be sure to whisk the mixture together well after adding the cream.
- For the chocolate, I suggest using a quality dark chocolate, such as Lindt 70%. I don’t recommend using milk chocolate, but semi-sweet chocolate may be used if you prefer a very sweet sauce.
- Because the caramel is so hot when it comes off the stove, it will look very thin. However once it cools it will thicken up quite a bit. If you’d like to return the chocolate caramel fudge sauce to a liquid form, simply reheat it in the microwave or on the stove top.
- Finally, if you burn your caramel sauce… there’s unfortunately no method of saving it. Just toss it and start over again.
If you try this recipe for Chocolate Caramel Sauce Recipe, let me know! Leave a comment below and don’t forget to snap a pic and tag it #bakerbynature on instagram! Seeing your kitchen creations makes my day.
More Fudge Recipes:
More Caramel Recipes:
Chocolate Caramel Fudge Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/4 cup light corn syrup
- 1 and 1/3 cups heavy cream
- 6 ounces dark chocolate, finely chopped
- 2 and 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
Instructions
- Whisk together the sugar, water, and corn syrup in a 3-quart saucepan. Cook over medium heat, gently tilting the pan side-to-side to help the ingredients cook evenly and avoid burning, for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the sugar turns a deep golden brown/copper color. Once the caramel reaches this color, remove from heat and immediately add in the heavy cream. Be very careful during this step - the caramel will hiss and bubble up aggressively!
- Add in the chopped chocolate and stir smooth. Finally, stir in the vanilla and sea salt. Vigorously whisk the mixture smooth and set aside to cool. Store covered, for up to one week, in the fridge.
Kat says
Very good! I’ve made several times and it is loved by all! I sprinkled Malden on top this time.
Greg says
Couple things. I followed the instructions but my carmel would not come to the brown/copper color. I even tried increasing heat and cooked 15 minutes but only got a light yellow. The other thing, in the instructions you don’t indicate not to stir so I did stir and it did form some crystals. I see in the “how to” part it mentions not stirring. It would be good to put all of the dos and don’ts in the actual instructions. I eventually took it off the heat and added the cream, which it did want to harden but stirred vigorously and saved it. It turned out ok but not quite as thick as I’d like. Next time I’ll try not stirring and see how it goes. It is super sweet. I used dark chocolate and will go with the 70% next time, too
Gina Rombley says
This has got to be one of the best fillings/toppings ever. I use it for everything! Cakes, cupcakes, ice cream, by the spoon… It’s soooo good!
Betsy Kim says
Do you think this can get thick enough to fill a macaron? Looks incredible!
Montana Griz says
I made this three times, each one successfully.
On the third attempt, I substituted 1/3C coffee for the water. Intense flavor, which might not be right for some——-but for me, incredible.
Thanks for taking the time to create and share this recipe.
Betsy Kim says
Can you tell me how thick this gets? I’m thinking of filling a macaron with it or is it too saucy? Thank you!
Gina Rombley says
I make this a lot and use it for cake and cupcake filling. It gets thick when it’s cooled. I think if it’s not too warm when the macrons are served, it will be ok.
Candy says
Is it possible to use coconut cream in place of cream? I cannot have cream.
bakerbynature says
Hi Candy! I’ve never tried that, so I can’t say for sure. If you experiment, let me know how it goes!
Diya says
Can this sauce be thicken to form chocolate caramel fudge?? i love this recipe, but looked for a fudge form of it.
Marisa Pellegrini says
Hello I am a little confused I thought this recipe was the chocolate fudge sauce not Caramel for the chocolate cake?
Shaleen says
I’d love to make this…but Corn syrup is not available where I live…any suggestions for a substitute?
Barbara says
Thought I had dark chocolate but the box was empty all I have is semi sweet chips . Would that work?