This 3-ingredient Vegan Caramel Sauce is super easy and done in just 20 minutes. It is perfect for topping your favorite fall treats, making Vegan Caramel Apples, or as a dipping sauce for fruit.
For more fall treats, try these Vegan Cinnamon Sugar Candied Almonds or Vegan Cinnamon Sugar Donuts.Â
Why You’ll Love Vegan Caramel Sauce
- Quick & easy – With just 3 ingredients, 20 minutes, and some stirring, you can have this caramel sauce anytime!
- Versatile – This caramel sauce makes an excellent drizzle for your favorite fall desserts like these Vegan Apple Pie Crumble Bars. Use it to dip apples or grapes, or use it to make Vegan Caramel Apples. You can even mix it into your latte for some added flavor.
Ingredients
- Sugar* – I use cane sugar for this recipe, but any granulated sugar will work.
- Plant Cream – Any vegan heavy cream substitute will work for this recipe.
- Salt – You can technically omit this if you don’t want the salted caramel flavor, but it is delicious.
Helpful Equipment
In addition to measuring cups and spoons, the following equipment is helpful for this recipe:
- Medium sauce pan
- Wooden spoon (or high-heat silicone spatula)
How to Make Vegan Caramel Sauce
Start by melting the sugar. Place the sugar in a medium sauce pan and heat over medium-high heat, stirring constantly until it melts fully.
The sugar will form clumps before it forms a rich brown liquid (pictured below steps 1-4).
Once the sugar is completely liquified and smooth, slowly pour the plant cream into the mixture while stirring.
CAUTION: The mixture will bubble significantly at this stage. Wear an oven mitt while stirring to avoid hot splatter.
Once the plant cream and sugar have combined, continue to stir until the mixture thickens slightly. Stir in the salt.
Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly before use. The caramel sauce will thicken significantly as it cools.
That’s it! Serve and enjoy!
How to Store Vegan Caramel Sauce
- Fridge: Store in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to a month.
- Freeze: Freeze for up to 3 months.
- Reheating: The caramel will be very solid after refrigeration. Microwave for 30 second increments until desired thickness is achieved. Beware this sauce gets hot quickly. Let cool before consuming.
More Tips
- Not vegan? Sub equal parts heavy cream instead of plant cream and you’ve got a recipe for traditional caramel sauce.
- Gluten-free? You are in luck! As long as you select a gluten-free plant cream, you’re good to go.
FAQ: Vegan Caramel Sauce
Can this sauce be used for caramel apples?
Yes! Make sure to let it cool significantly before applying so it is thick enough to stick to the apples.
Can you freeze vegan caramel sauce?
Yup! Freeze in an air-tight container. Use within 3 months for best flavor. Thaw fully before reheating.
Vegan Caramel Sauce
Equipment
- Wooden spoon (or high-heat silicone spatula)
Ingredients Â
- 2 cups cane sugar*
- 1 cup plant cream
- 1 tsp salt
InstructionsÂ
- Add the cane sugar into medium sauce pan and heat over medium-high heat until fully melted. Stir constantly.
- Once the sugar is liquified, slowly add the plant cream while stirring. CAUTION: The mixture will bubble rapidly at this stage, wear an oven mitt while stirring to avoid splatter.
- Stir until the plant cream and sugar have combined and the mixture begins to thicken slightly. Add the salt and stir again.
- Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly before using. The caramel will thicken significantly as it cools.
- Enjoy!
Notes
- Not vegan? Sub equal parts heavy cream instead of plant cream and you’ve got a recipe for traditional caramel sauce.
- Gluten-free? You are in luck! As long as you select a gluten-free plant cream, you’re good to go.
Nutrition
Please note, while all ingredients used in this recipe have been verified to be vegan and free of applicable allergens at the time of recipe creation, different brands may differ in their ingredients or processing procedures and may change their ingredients at any time. For some recipes, I do include ingredients that are processed in a facility that processes other allergens. Please make sure to check the ingredients and processing procedures for your specific purchases to ensure they meet your dietary needs.
Last Updated on February 14, 2025
This caramel sauce is soooooo delicious!