The Sweetest Caramel Desserts To Make Right Now
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Create a cozy fall aesthetic in your kitchen with these delicious caramel dessert recipes! With just a few simple ingredients, you can make seasonal caramel recipes that are perfect for entertaining or enjoying as a family.
From classic caramel apple pie to decadent salted caramel crumb bars, here are some of our favorite caramel dessert recipes from Inspired by Charm.
Hosting family gatherings this season? Try giving your recipes a caramel twist. It’s a delicious way to instantly upgrade any dessert!
Drizzle it over cakes and pies for an extra boost of sweetness, or use it as a filling for cupcakes or cookies. You can also dip fruit like apples and bananas in caramel for a quick and easy snack.
If you want something sweet that’s versatile and universally loved, caramel is just what you’re looking for. The rich, complex flavors and silky smooth texture of caramel-based desserts are sure to impress your guests and satisfy your sweet tooth.
Plus, making your own caramel gives you control over the depth of flavor – you can make a lighter, more delicate caramel or cook it a bit longer for that deep, intense taste.
It’s a simple way to add a gourmet touch to everyday desserts.
Why You’ll Love These Recipes
- Perfect to serve at your next family gathering or dinner party.
- Great pairing for any one of your favorite fall recipes!
- Easy to whip up and tastes delicious.
- There’s a caramel recipe for everyone – from beginner level to advanced.
- Packed full of autumnal flavor and will have you coming back for more.
These are my top picks for caramel dessert recipes that will make your taste buds go wild!
Caramel Cakes and Pies
When it comes to making caramel desserts, cakes and pies are some of the easiest recipes to whip up.
Whether you’re in the mood for a traditional caramel apple pie or something a little more adventurous, like my salted caramel sticky buns, these recipes will not disappoint!
Caramel Apple Muffins
These delicious seasonal treats are perfect for breakfast, brunch, or as a special after-dinner treat. They have the classic flavors of apple and cinnamon dipped in sweet caramel that ties it all together.
To make them even more decadent, top these apple muffins off with chopped pecans and a cinnamon stick!
Salted Caramel Pecan Sticky Buns
These are a showstopper! Rich, buttery dough is filled with a cinnamon brown sugar mixture and covered in salted caramel sauce and chopped pecans for a sweet yet salty flavor that will keep you coming back for more.
Serve these warm sticky buns with an extra drizzle of caramel sauce, and your guests won’t be able to resist them!
Honeycrisp Apple Pie with Salted Caramel
This combination of tart apples and sweet caramel is a classic pairing that never goes out of style. The filling for this pie is made with Honeycrisp apples instead of traditional granny smith apples, giving it an extra sweetness and crunch. Plus, you’ll get to use my go-to pie crust!
To top it off, the salted caramel sauce takes this apple pie recipe to the next level.
Pumpkin Whoopie Pies with Salted Caramel Frosting
These pumpkin whoopie pies are the perfect way to kick off fall! The classic whoopie pie is made even better with a delicious salted caramel cream cheese frosting. Plus, these pumpkin treats come together quickly and easily for the ultimate autumnal dessert.
Salted Caramel Apple Hand Pies
Don’t want to make one big pie? These little hand pies are the perfect way to enjoy all of the flavors of caramel and apple without having to make one! Plus, they’re super portable, so you can take them on the go.
The flaky crust is filled with apples, brown sugar, and a piece of soft caramel candies for a yummy dessert.
Homemade Caramel Dips
Caramel isn’t just for desserts! These caramel dip recipes are perfect as a snack or even part of your dinner.
Caramel Apple Cream Cheese Spread
If you want to make something special for an appetizer, this caramel apple spread is a must-try. The creamy mixture of cream cheese topped with caramel sauce works as a dip for apples and other fruits.
It’s perfect to put out as a part of your appetizer spread for your get-together. Highly recommend serving it with some apple pie sangria!
Salted Caramel Cheesecake Dip
Love anything salted caramel? This cheesecake dip combines cream cheese, dulce de leche, marshmallow fluff (my secret ingredient!), and some sea salt for the perfect sweet and salty flavor.
Serve it with graham crackers, buttery shortbread cookies, or even just a spoon!
Delicious Cookies and Bar
Whipping up a batch of caramel cookies is always an easy and delicious way to satisfy your sweet tooth. From simple crumb bars to apple butter snickerdoodles, these recipes will make you forget about store-bought sweets!
Caramel Gingersnaps
These gingersnaps are the perfect combination of chewy and crunchy. With a layered flavor of molasses, cinnamon, and ginger, these cookies are even better when you take a bite and get little bits of caramel as a surprise!
Caramel Apple Butter Snickerdoodles
The combination of apple butter and caramel in these snickerdoodles will take your taste buds on a ride! They’re soft and chewy with a hint of spice and the perfect balance of sweetness.
Coconut Thumbprint Cookies with Salted Caramel
You’d be surprised how well coconut and caramel can go together! These thumbprint cookies are soft and chewy on the inside, with a slightly crisp outside. The salted caramel filling gives these cookies an extra boost of flavor and sweetness.
Salted Caramel Crumb Bars
A rich and buttery crumb bar that is filled with ooey-gooey caramel. These dessert bars have a hint of saltiness from the sea salt flakes on top, which balances out the sweetness perfectly.
Salted Peanut Bars
Elevate your dessert game with Salted Peanut Bars! Indulge in layers of sweet, salty, and crunchy goodness that are pure delight. From the satisfying crunch of pretzels to the creamy smoothness of marshmallow fluff and peanut butter, all topped with decadent caramel, these bars are the perfect combination of flavor and texture!
Salted Caramel Shortbread Cookies
These Salted Caramel Shortbread Cookies bring together some of my favorite flavors and make the perfect sweet treats. A crisp shortbread cookie is topped with creamy caramel, sprinkled with flaky salt, and drizzled with chocolate. What’s not to love?
Salted Caramel Popcorn Bars
Caramel mixed with popcorn, cinnamon nuts, and sea salt? Yes, please! These Salted Caramel Popcorn Bars are a delicious and easy treat you’re going to want to make again and again.
Crave-Worthy Caramel Cocktails
Caramel isn’t just for desserts! It can also be used to make delicious and unique cocktails. Here are a few recipes that will help you get in the fall spirit and impress your guests.
Caramel Pear Cider
This caramel pear cider is the perfect way to kick off fall! It has a sweet and fruity flavor (thanks to the pear liqueur) and a creamy caramel finish. With a bit of a spice kick from the mulling spices, this cider is the perfect mix of sweet and tart that will warm you up on cold autumn nights.
Salted Caramel White Russian
White Russians typically use coffee liqueur, but this recipe takes it up a notch with salted caramel vodka AND Bailey’s. The combination of creamy half-and-half and salted caramel vodka gives these cocktails an extra kick that will make your taste buds come alive!
Caramel Apple Martini
A fall martini strikes the perfect balance between tart apples and sweet caramel. With a mix of apple cider, caramel vodka, and a splash of butterscotch schnapps, it’s sure to be a crowd favorite! Serve this martini with an apple wedge on the side for a special seasonal touch.
Apple Cider Moscow Mule with Caramel
This cocktail is a twist on the classic Moscow mule. It’s made with apple cider, vodka, and ginger beer for a refreshing and zesty flavor. To add more dimension to this drink, top it off with a cinnamon stick!
Caramel Apple Pie Martini
A fall dessert in a glass! With a cinnamon graham cracker rim dipped in caramel sauce, this martini is the perfect way to enjoy all of the flavors of apple pie in a fun and festive way. Plus, it takes just minutes to make!
Shake it up with some ice and serve it in a martini glass to get the full effect.
Quick Recipe Tips
If you’re new to making caramel recipes, here are some helpful tips to get you started:
Use high-quality ingredients
Canned caramel sauce is a great shortcut, but if you’re looking to make the best recipes, using fresh ingredients will take your baking to the next level.
Pay attention to the temperature
Caramel recipes require accuracy when it comes to heating and cooling temperatures. Make sure you have accurate candy thermometers on hand, and pay attention to the temperature of your caramel as it cooks.
Prepare your ingredients beforehand
Having all of your ingredients measured out and ready to go will help make sure that you don’t miss any important steps in the recipe.
Let the caramel cool before using it
If you’re making a recipe that requires melted caramel, make sure to let it cool completely before using or adding any other ingredients. This will help ensure that your recipe turns out perfectly each time.
Have fun!
Making caramel recipes can be intimidating, but don’t forget to have fun with it too! You’ll be surprised at how easy and delicious homemade caramel can be.
Frequently Asked Questions
I want to answer some questions people often have about caramel dessert recipes. If you don’t see your question in this list, please leave it in the comments.
What’s the best way to store caramel?
Caramel should be stored in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. It can also be refrigerated for up to two weeks.
How can I make my caramel recipes even more flavorful?
For an extra hit of flavor, you can add spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, or ginger to your caramel. You can also add extracts such as vanilla, almond, or coconut to give your caramel even more depth of flavor.
What can I do to make salted caramel recipes?
To make a salted caramel recipe, simply add a pinch of sea salt or fleur de sel during the cooking process. You can also sprinkle some sea salt on top of your finished dish for an extra hit of flavor.
How do I make sure my caramel doesn’t burn?
The key to making perfect caramel is to keep an eye on it at all times during the cooking process. Make sure you are stirring constantly and watching for any signs of burning. If it starts to darken quickly, lower the heat and stir more often.
Also, make sure you are using a heavy-bottomed pan that is not too small for the amount of caramel you are making. This will help ensure even heat distribution.
How do I prevent my caramel from crystallizing?
To keep your caramel smooth and creamy, make sure to stir it often during the cooking process and avoid stirring after it is finished cooking. Avoid adding any cold ingredients, as they can cause crystallization.
What can I do with leftover caramel?
Leftover caramel can be used to make ice cream sundaes, dipped fruits drizzled over pancakes or waffles or even used as a topping for oatmeal. You can also use it in place of syrup for French toast!
What’s the best way to reheat caramel?
Reheating caramel is easy! Simply place the desired amount in a heatproof bowl and warm it up in the microwave for 30-second increments until it reaches your desired temperature. You can also reheat it on the stovetop in a saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally.
More Desserts You’ll Love
- 20+ Of The Best Fall Cookie Recipes
- Homemade Apple Strudel
- Pumpkin Pasties (Hand Pies)
- Cinnamon Roll Apple Pie
- Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars
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