Spiced Pumpkin Caramel Sauce
Salted caramel sauce is made even better with the addition of pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie spice. This Pumpkin Caramel Sauce can be drizzled over cheesecake, brownies, hot chocolate, and so much more!
This Is the Only Caramel Sauce I Make in the Fall!
I was brainstorming some new recipe ideas the other day while I was waiting for another recipe to finish cooking. I had the idea to adapt my recipe for Vanilla Bourbon Caramel Sauce and make a new, fall-inspired version.
Originally I was just going to add some fall spices, like cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg. Then, I thought — what if I actually added some real pumpkin puree, not just the spices, to the caramel sauce?
The finished pumpkin caramel sauce was even better than I was expecting!
✔ Full of Fall Flavors: The combination of real pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie spice gives the caramel sauce a warm flavor that’s reminiscent of pumpkin pie.
✔ Quick and Easy: The caramel sauce is made in just 15 minutes using 7 basic ingredients, plus it tastes SO much better than anything from the store.
✔ Super Versatile: You can drizzle this pumpkin spice caramel sauce over just about anything. I’ve listed all my favorite ways to use it at the end of this post!
Enjoy!
-Katie
The 7 Main Ingredients
This caramel pumpkin spice sauce uses just a handful of ingredients. A full list of ingredients with their measurements is provided in the recipe card below.
- Granulated sugar — My go-to sugar for making any type of caramel sauce.
- Salted butter — I prefer using salted butter so the caramel pumpkin sauce doesn’t taste too sweet.
- Heavy cream — Do not substitute with half and half, milk, or any other lower-fat alternative. You need to use real heavy cream to achieve the right consistency.
- Vanilla extract — I love using my bourbon vanilla extract, but any kind works.
- Pumpkin pie spice — I’ve started making homemade pumpkin pie spice in recent years, but you can use your favorite store brand too.
- Pumpkin puree — Either make your own pumpkin puree using pie pumpkins, or buy a can at the store. Do NOT confuse pure pumpkin puree with canned pumpkin pie filling.
- Sea salt — You can also use regular table salt, but you’d need to add much less than the recipe calls for. Sea salt has larger salt grains, which is why you need to add more of it to achieve a saltier flavor.
The 4 Steps to Making Pumpkin Caramel Sauce
- Caramelize the sugar. Measure the sugar into a saucepan and heat over medium-high heat until it turns golden brown. Do not stir it! Just let it gently melt, then bubble away until it’s changed color.
- Whisk in the butter. I suggest slicing it first so it melts quickly and evenly.
- Whisk in the heavy cream. Do this off the heat since the cream tends to splatter when it comes into contact with the hot sugar.
- Stir in the remaining ingredients. Then, you just have to let the caramel sauce cool completely before using!
The above is simply a quick summary of this recipe. Check out the full recipe in the free printable recipe card at the bottom of this post for all the detailed instructions.
Ways to Use It
The uses for this pumpkin salted caramel sauce are endless, but here are a few of our favorite ways to use it:
- As an ice cream topping or mix in. I particularly love to make this No-Churn Pumpkin Spice Ice Cream in the fall with this caramel sauce swirled into it.
- Drizzled over apple desserts. It’s insanely good in this Caramel Apple Crisp or drizzled over this Browned Butter Bourbon Apple Crisp and Apple Crisp Pizza.
- Layered in pumpkin bread parfaits. Layer chunks of Pumpkin Bread and stabilized whipped cream with this homemade caramel sauce to make fall parfaits.
- Swirled atop brownies. Swirl a bit of this caramel sauce into the top of these Homemade Fudgy Brownies just before baking. BONUS: serve the brownies in a bowl with ice cream and more caramel.
- Spooned over cakes and cupcakes. Try drizzling this over a slice of Pumpkin Bundt Cake or Pumpkin Cupcakes.
- As a topping for your favorite cheesecake. You can drizzle this pumpkin caramel sauce over Pumpkin Cheesecake, No-Bake Cheesecake Bars, Cheesecake Mousse, and even Pumpkin Pecan Cheesecake Pots.
- In coffee, tea, or hot chocolate. Swirl some into a mug of Caramel Hot Chocolate, Pumpkin Chai Latte, or Pumpkin White Hot Chocolate as a treat this winter.
- Give as a gift. This makes an excellent gift for teachers, friends, and neighbors. Check out these 45 Homemade Christmas Gift Ideas for a ton more inspiration!
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More Homemade Caramel Recipes
Pumpkin Caramel Sauce Recipe
This pumpkin spice caramel sauce is over the top good thanks to the addition of real pumpkin puree and plenty of pumpkin pie spices.
Ingredients
- 2 cups Granulated Sugar
- 12 tablespoons Salted Butter, sliced into tablespoons
- 1 cup Heavy Cream
- 1 tablespoon Pure Vanilla Extract
- 1 1/2 teaspoon Pumpkin Pie Spice
- 2/3 cup Pumpkin Puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
- 1/2 teaspoon Sea Salt
Instructions
- Add the granulated super to a medium sized saucepan (3 quart size works well).
- Place it over medium-high heat and cook, watching the entire time and stirring occasionally, until the sugar is golden brown and completely melted.
- Carefully add the butter. Whisk the ingredients vigourously until the butter is completely melted. The contents of the saucepan will bubble up, so caution should be used.
- Remove the pan from the heat and very carefully and slowly pour in the heavy cream while whisking.
- The caramel sauce will bubble, but keep whisking until the mixture is completely incorporated. Then, stir in the vanilla extract, pumpkin pie spice, pumpkin puree, and sea salt.
- Let cool. After it has cooled to room temperature, transfer to your prefered storage container and serve how you like!
Notes
Caution! Do not attempt to lick the spoon or the whisk as the caramel will be incredibly hot!
Storage: Store airtight in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 16 Serving Size: 2 1/2 tablespoonsAmount Per Serving: Calories: 230Total Fat: 14gSaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 40mgSodium: 139mgCarbohydrates: 26gFiber: 0gSugar: 26gProtein: 1g
GoodLifeEats.com offers recipe nutritional information as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although GoodLifeEats.com makes every effort to provide accurate information, these figures are only estimates.
Kenna says
This is excellent on ice cream, bread pudding , rice pudding, drizzled On cheesecake and hot cocoa. Oh my. Everyone I know got a 4 oz. Sample size jar for Christmas and a copy of the recipe. Rave reviews by all.
Kenna says
Absolutely delicious, but I had expected it to be fairly thick (spoonable), but instead was easily pourable. Which outcome was actually expected?
Katie says
Pourable is what it should be. You can refrigerate it for a thicker spoonable sauce. Glad you liked it!