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Home Recipes Desserts

Homemade Vegan Caramel Sauce

20 mins
Avatar by: Lindsay Grimes
August 16, 2017 (Updated: December 3, 2020)
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side view of a small glass jar filled with caramel. the jar sits on a white counter with a white background. a spoon drips caramel into the jar. text overlay reads "homemade caramel vegan & paleo"
side view of a small glass jar with caramel inside and dripping off the edge. a spoon sticks out of the jar and the jar sits on a white counter with a white background. text overlay reads "vegan & paleo homemade caramel sauce"
side view of a small glass jar with caramel inside and dripping off the edge. a spoon sticks out of the jar and the jar sits on a white counter with a white background.
Four ingredient homemade vegan caramel sauce comes together in under 20 minutes and perfect for drizzling on any dessert!

This homemade vegan and paleo caramel sauce is an absolute game changer!!

Here’s my deal. I really like caramel. When I was young, one of my favorite after school snacks was cut up apples and those little single serve caramel packs.

I really wanted to get you guys a caramel recipe for all your caramel sauce needs: dipping apples, putting in pies, maybe apple pies? Drizzle on a cake. Dipping a muffin in? I don’t know. I just know you guys needed this caramel sauce as much as me.

Here’s the best part: no candy thermometer needed. No fancy stuff or extra care. All you need is a good old fashion pot, a stove, and FOUR ingredients!! If you can whisk, you can make this caramel sauce!

overhead image of four ingredients: coconut sugar, coconut cream, vanilla, and salt on a white counter. text overlay reads "coconut sugar, coconut cream, vanilla, salt"

Ingredients and substitutions for paleo and vegan caramel:

  • coconut cream : you should be able to find it in the international section of your grocery store. It’s near the coconut milk. I always grab the “unsweetened” coconut cream because we’re adding the sweetness here. If you get already sweetened coconut cream, it may be a bit too sweet.
  • coconut sugar : I haven’t tested this recipe with any other sugar, but I think brown sugar would be a great sub if you don’t have coconut sugar or don’t like it.
  • vanilla: just a splash to give it some more warm cozy caramel vibes
  • sea salt: a sprinkle to bring out the sweet flavors.
overhead image of a white skillet showing three steps of making homemade caramel sauce.

How to make vegan caramel:

Put the coconut cream and coconut sugar in a saucepot. Coconut cream should be near the coconut milk in the grocery store. Make sure it’s unsweetened and that it’s coconut cream and not coconut milk.

Bring it to a rolling boil for 15 minutes, whisking constantly. The color will darken and the caramel will thicken up. If you’re having a hard time getting it to thicken up, turn up the heat and continue to whisk constantly until it reaches your desired consistency.

Once it’s a good consistency, turn off the heat and whisk in the vanilla and sea salt. Donezo, my friends.

  • side view of a spoon with caramel sauce spilling onto the white counter with a small glass jar of caramel next to it.

How to use homemade caramel:

  • dip apples in it
  • make these Gluten Free + Vegan Twix Bars
  • or these Healthy Homemade Snickers Bars
  • drizzle it on this Chocolate Chip Cookie Skillet

Did you make this? Leave a review below and tag me on Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest!

side view of a small glass jar with caramel inside and dripping off the edge. a spoon sticks out of the jar and the jar sits on a white counter with a white background. Recipe

Homemade Vegan Caramel Sauce

Four ingredient homemade vegan caramel sauce comes together in under 20 minutes and perfect for drizzling on any dessert!

AvatarRecipe by:Lindsay Grimes
Prep: 0 minCook: 20 minsTotal: 20 mins
Print recipe Rate recipe Pin Save recipe
Servings: serves 8

Ingredients

  • 1 can (15 oz) unsweetened coconut cream
  • 1/2 cup coconut sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt

Instructions

  1. Place the coconut cream and coconut sugar in a saucepot or deep skillet over high heat.
  2. Bring it to a rolling boil for 15 minutes, whisking constantly.
  3. If it’s not thickening up to your liking, turn up the heat and continue to whisk constantly as it boils for another 5 – 10 minutes. Take it off the heat right before your desired consistency because it continues to thicken as it cools.
  4. Once the caramel is your desired consistency, turn off the heat and whisk in the vanilla and sea salt.
  5. Eat it warm if you wish, or place it in the fridge for it to continue to thicken.

Nutrition Info:

  • Serving Size: 2 tablespoons
  • Calories: 171
  • Sugar: 13.1g
  • Sodium: 117mg
  • Fat: 12.8g
  • Saturated Fat: 12g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 0g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 13.5g
  • Fiber: 0.4g
  • Protein: 1.4g
  • Cholesterol: 0mg
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  1. AvatarTraci says

    Posted on 8/17/17 at 2:57 am

    Can’t wait to make this!!! That was one of my favorite snacks growing up too! How long do you think this would keep in the fridge after making it?

    Reply
    • AvatarLindsay says

      Posted on 8/17/17 at 11:30 am

      Hi Traci!

      It should keep for a week or so in the fridge!! Can’t wait to hear how you like it!!

      xo

      Reply
  2. AvatarNisha / @rainbowplantlife says

    Posted on 8/18/17 at 12:36 pm

    Love how easy this recipe is! I bet your kitchen smelled amazing when you made it 🙂

    Reply

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Lindsay

Hi Friend!

I'm Lindsay I love sharing simple, better-for-you recipes. When I'm not in the kitchen, you can find me at the beach watching my kids boogie board and soaking in that warm Cali sun (with sunscreen, of course).

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GF Gluten-Free DF Dairy-Free V Vegan VG Vegetarian EF Egg-Free NF Nut-Free P Paleo Browse All

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