A Homemade Salted Caramel Ice Cream Recipe

Last Updated on August 29, 2024 by Cherie

Salivate Over the Irresistible Charm of our homemade salted caramel ice cream. Learn how to make this delicious treat yourself.

The flavour profile of Salted Caramel Ice Cream is, without a doubt, a highly-ranked favourite of ours.

The combination of the sweet and salt adds an expectation to each mouthful. What will you get next? Will it be sweet? Or perhaps salty? It could be either one or, it could be a bit of both. Whichever you get on your spoon, the taste sensation of this bitter-sweet combination is one that thrills.

In this article we’ll discuss the combination of sweet and savoury flavours and the effectiveness of salt, we’ll show you how you can make your own caramel sauce, with a handful of varieties and of course, we’ll share our homemade salted caramel ice cream recipe and give you step-by-step instructions on how you can make your own.

If you’d prefer, you can scroll straight to the recipes we’ve shared at the bottom of this article, or follow along to find out more about this delicious combination of flavours.
Jump to Salted Caramel Sauce Recipe
Jump to Salted Caramel Ice Cream Recipe

A Deliciously Complex Treat.

Salted caramel ice cream is a deliciously complex treat that combines the rich and velvety sweetness of caramel with a delicate touch of salt. The contrast between the savoury and sweet flavour profiles creates a unique and satisfying taste experience that has become a classic and beloved flavour.

The salt in the caramel softens the flavour and sweetness while also preventing it from becoming too cloying, helping to make it a perfectly balanced dessert.

Learning to make your own Homemade Salted Caramel Ice Cream will enable you to serve delicious desserts to your friends and family and thoroughly impress them all.

And as ever, with it being homemade, you can adapt and add however you please. You can sprinkle some cocoa nibs or roasted almonds on top of your ice cream to add a contrasting texture to the creamy ice cream, there are so many options. By making your own homemade ice cream, you get to choose exactly how you like it.

The Effectiveness of Salt.

Salt in salted caramel ice cream isn’t just added for the flavour, there are other quite effective reasons for adding salt;

Flavour enhancement: Salt acts as a flavour enhancer, intensifying the taste of the caramel. Salt also brings out the richness and complexity of the caramel flavour, making it more pronounced and enjoyable.

Balance: The addition of salt in salted caramel ice cream helps to balance out the sweetness of the caramel. It prevents the ice cream from becoming overly sweet and adds a savoury element that complements the sweetness.

Texture: Salt can also affect the texture of ice cream. It lowers the freezing point of the mixture, resulting in a smoother and creamier texture. Salt also helps to prevent the formation of large ice crystals, which can be a problem with Homemade Ice Cream and this helps to give your ice cream a velvety consistency

Taste sensation: The combination of salt and sweet flavours creates a tongue-tingling taste sensation on the palate. The contrast between the two flavours adds complexity and depth to the overall taste experience, making salted caramel ice cream a popular choice among dessert lovers.

It’s important to note that the type of salt used can also impact the effectiveness and taste of salted caramel ice cream. Milder-tasting salts like Himalayan pink rock salt or fleur de sel are often recommended for a more balanced flavour.

As you can see there’s more to Salted Caramel than meets the eye. The addition of salt to caramel in salted caramel ice cream is not only for the salty taste. Salt enhances the flavour, balances the sweetness, improves the texture, and creates a delicious taste experience. It’s no wonder that salted caramel has become such a beloved flavour.

Salted Caramel Ice Cream – Is It Healthy?

While salted caramel ice cream may be a delicious indulgence, it’s important to note that it is not typically considered a ‘healthy’ food.

However, there are a few potential health benefits associated with consuming salted caramel ice cream in moderation:

• Calcium: Some sources suggest that salted caramel ice cream may provide a small amount of calcium, which is beneficial for maintaining healthy teeth and bones.
• Protein: Depending on the recipe or brand, salted caramel ice cream may contain a moderate amount of protein. Protein is essential for various bodily functions, including muscle repair and growth.
• Gut, skin, and joint benefits: According to some sources, a homemade salted caramel ice cream recipe delivers gut, skin, and joint benefits in its nutritional profile. However, it’s important to note that this claim is not backed by scientific research and should be taken with a pinch of salt.

It’s always recommended to enjoy salted caramel ice cream in moderation as part of a balanced diet. If you’re looking for a healthier alternative, you can also consider making your own salted caramel ice cream using lower-fat milk or alternative sweeteners.

Additionally, it’s important to consider the overall nutritional profile of the ice cream, including its calorie, fat, and sugar content, which can vary depending on the recipe or brand. And with that knowledge enjoy it as a treat rather than a regular part of your diet.

Making a Salted Caramel Sauce

When making our homemade ice creams, we know exactly what goes into them and the same can be said about our caramel sauces or coulis.

We like to make them ourselves, then we have assurance there are no nasties added. And the best thing is Caramel sauce is very easy to make.

Here is a really simple recipe for salted caramel sauce:

Ingredients:

• 125g white granulated sugar
• 6 tbsp unsalted butter, room temperature, cut into cubes
• 125ml double cream
• 1 tsp sea salt (adjust according to taste preference)

Instructions:

1. Heat the sugar in a medium-sized saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon until it melts and turns a deep amber colour. Keep an eye on this stage of the process. Once the sugar browns, it is caramelising and the longer you leave it, the darker it will get and with that the more bitter it will become. How long you leave the sugar to brown will depend on your personal preference as to how you like your caramel sauce. Be aware it can burn very quickly and go too far before you know it. Also, please bear in mind that sugar gets extremely hot, so care must be taken.
2. Once the sugar has turned a deep amber colour, add the butter to the saucepan and stir until it has melted and combined with the sugar.
3. Slowly pour in the double cream while stirring constantly. The mixture will bubble up, so be careful.
4. Stir in the sea salt until it has dissolved.
5. Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the caramel sauce cool for a few minutes before transferring it to a jar or container.
6. Store the salted caramel sauce in the refrigerator until ready to use.

This salted caramel sauce can be used not only as a topping for ice cream, but also drizzled over cakes or brownies, or used as a dip for fruit.

It’s a simple and delicious way to add a touch of sweetness and saltiness to your desserts.

NB: If you don’t want a Salted Caramel Sauce, just a caramel sauce, you simply skip the step of adding the salt to make a simple caramel sauce instead.

Salted Caramel Sauce without Double Cream

If you’re looking for a slightly healthier version, there are several ways to make salted caramel sauce without double cream. Here are a few recipes and methods to try:

Milk-based Salted Caramel Sauce:

• In a saucepan, heat 125g of granulated sugar over medium heat until it melts and turns amber in colour.
• Remove the saucepan from the heat and slowly whisk in 65ml of whole milk until the mixture is smooth.
• Add 45g of unsalted butter and 1 teaspoon of sea salt, and whisk until the butter has melted and the mixture is well combined.
• Let the salted caramel sauce cool for a few minutes before transferring it to a jar or container. Store in the refrigerator until ready to use.

Butter-based Salted Caramel Sauce:

• In a saucepan, heat 125g of granulated sugar and 30ml cup of water over medium heat until the sugar has dissolved.
• Increase the heat to medium-high and let the mixture boil until it turns a deep amber colour.
• Remove the saucepan from the heat and add 65g of unsalted butter, stirring until it has melted and combined with the sugar.
• Stir in 1/4 teaspoon of fine sea salt and 40ml of whole milk until the mixture is smooth.
• Let the salted caramel sauce cool for a few minutes before transferring it to a jar or container. Store in the refrigerator until ready to use.

Condensed Milk-based Salted Caramel Sauce:

• In a saucepan, heat 125g of granulated sugar over medium heat until it melts and turns amber in colour.
• Remove the saucepan from the heat and slowly whisk in 1 can (330ml) of sweetened condensed milk until the mixture is smooth.
• Add 60g of unsalted butter and 1 teaspoon of sea salt, and whisk until the butter has melted and the mixture is well combined.
• Let the salted caramel sauce cool for a few minutes before transferring it to a jar or container. Store in the refrigerator until ready to use.

There are a variety of ways to make salted caramel sauce without double cream, including using milk, butter, or condensed milk as a base. These recipes can provide a delicious and healthier alternative to traditional salted caramel sauce made with double cream. Naturally, the resulting texture and flavour may vary from the traditional double cream-based salted caramel.

A Homemade Salted Caramel Ice Cream Recipe

This delicious frozen dessert combines the different but balanced flavours of salt and sweet. The combination of these two unique tastes – the rich, sweet caramel and the subtle, savoury saltiness – creates a bittersweet mix that dessert lovers worldwide adore.

Let’s find out how this amazing blend works and learn about the subtle details that make salted caramel ice cream an unforgettable delight.

Having made your very own Salted Caramel, it’s now time to make the Ice Cream base.

We use a simple Vanilla Ice Cream base and once the Ice Cream has reached a firm, but not set consistency, we pour in our Salted Caramel Sauce and stir this through, not entirely, but loosely.

This creates a ripple-type effect, and so when eating your Salted Caramel Ice Cream you get bursts of Sweet and Salty flavours. Delish!

Simple Vanilla Ice Cream (Eggless)

Ingredients:

• 250ml double cream (or whipping cream)
• 125ml whole milk
• 80g caster sugar
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

Instructions:

• Add the Sugar and Milk to a saucepan and gently heat. Stir the mixture until the sugar has dissolved. Remove from the heat and allow to cool.
• Once the mixture has cooled, pour it into a mixing bowl and add the double cream and vanilla extract, stir thoroughly to ensure even distribution of flavours.
• Cover the bowl with plastic cling film or a lid and refrigerate the mixture for at least 2-3 hours, or preferably overnight. (Chilling the mixture thoroughly will help improve the texture and flavour of the ice cream).
• Once the mixture is well-chilled, give it a good stir to ensure the ingredients are well combined.
• Pour the chilled mixture into an ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer’s instructions. This usually takes about 20-25 minutes, but the time may vary depending on your specific ice cream maker.
  • (If you don’t have an Ice cream maker, check out our post Homemade Ice Cream: Without an Ice Cream Maker).
• The ice cream is ready when it reaches a soft, creamy consistency.
• Transfer the churned ice cream to a lidded container.
• At this point, add your pre-made salted caramel sauce and stir in loosely, maintaining pockets as it were of vanilla ice cream and salted caramel sauce.
• If you prefer a firmer texture, place the container in the freezer for an additional 2-3 hours.
• When ready to eat, scoop the salted caramel and vanilla ice cream into bowls or cones and enjoy it as is or pair it with your favourite desserts and additional toppings.

In this instance, we’ve used a very simple Eggless Vanilla Ice Cream version, however, if you prefer the Egg Custard Vanilla Ice Cream, then please head on over to our article – How to Make Delicious, Indulgent Homemade Ice Cream – where you’ll find directions on how to make an egg-based custard Vanilla Ice Cream.

Enhancing Your Homemade Salted Caramel Ice Cream

Don’t stop at just salted caramel! Why not take your homemade ice cream to the next level by adding even more textures and flavours? While choc chips are a favourite for their addition of texture and rich chocolatey taste, there’s a world of possibilities when it comes to enhancing your salted caramel ice cream.

Consider incorporating ingredients such as:

• Toffee Bits: These crunchy, caramelised nuggets add a delicious crunch and an extra layer of caramel flavour to your ice cream.
• Chopped Nuts: Whether it’s toasted almonds, pecans, or walnuts, chopped nuts provide a satisfying crunch and nutty flavour that complements the salty and sweetness of the caramel.
• Marshmallow Swirl: Swirling in marshmallow fluff creates ribbons of creamy sweetness throughout the ice cream, adding a playful twist to the flavour profile.
• Cookie Pieces: Crushed cookies, such as chocolate chip cookies or shortbread, add texture and a hint of buttery goodness to every bite.
• Caramel Swirl: Drizzling additional salted caramel sauce over the ice cream and gently swirling it in creates pockets of gooey caramel goodness that burst with flavour.
• Brownie Chunks: Fudgy brownie chunks provide a decadent contrast to the creamy ice cream, adding richness and depth to each spoonful.
• Coconut Flakes: Toasted coconut flakes add a tropical flair and a satisfying crunch to your salted caramel ice cream, elevating it to new heights of deliciousness.

Experiment with different combinations and let your creativity run wild to create the ultimate customised salted caramel ice cream experience!

We really hope you’ve enjoyed reading our article on Homemade Salted Caramel Ice cream and enjoyed learning about the processes of making your own – ready to give it a go?

If you have any questions, please drop us a comment below and of course, it goes without saying that we would love to hear from you on how you get on making your own Homemade Salted Caramel Ice Cream!

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