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Obviously I have caramel on the brain right now, but that’s a good thing, I think.
This is your favorite homemade caramel sauce…but with pumpkin. (I know, right??) Who knew that such a wonderful thing existed?
Allow me to introduce you to your newest #pumpkinallthethings recipe: Pumpkin Caramel Sauce.
Trader Joes is going to be the death of my waistline. Am I right? Seriously people, do not go there hungry. The last time I did that, I ended up with these.
This time I did that and I ended up with those cashews, more peanuts, pumpkin Jo-Jo’s, and an idea for Pumpkin Caramel Sauce.
Trader Joe’s is an evil, evil place. Evil genius, that is.
The same day I went to TJ’s I had decided to make real homemade caramel for the first time. Yes, real caramel: melting sugar in a hot pot, the whole 9 yards. I tried 2 recipes before I found my favorite one, I added some salt and another secret ingredient and called it a day.
Then I dropped Jordan at her theatre class and headed to Trader Joe’s, where I spent $122. How is that possible?
While I was in the nut aisle getting all the things, I spotted Pumpkin Caramel Sauce. A worker was stocking the shelf and made a disgusted face, “they have to put pumpkin in everything,” he groaned.
Yes. Yes, Mr. TJ’s worker, yes they do.
I rushed home from the store and made my second batch of caramel in one day, with 5 minutes to spare before I headed back out to pick up the kid. No caramel for 37 years, then 2 in one day. I’m on a roll.
Okay, so you’ve never made homemade caramel before (or maybe you have). I’m going to give you some tips about how to make this the perfect caramel sauce ever…but with pumpkin.
- Making caramel is serious business. It’s not hard and it’s really not that scary, but it can be dangerous. One walk away to answer the phone or scream at your kid because she’s watching YouTube again and you’ve told her 100 times it’s not allowed, and your caramel is a burned, smelly mess. Make sure you are free of distractions before ever attempting this recipe. That will be your first step for success.
- Gather all your ingredients before starting. Once the sugar melts it’s a really quick process and you don’t want to stop and measure pumpkin puree.
- Stir the sugar in the pan carefully, so you don’t spread the sugar all over the sides of the pan. Watch it carefully. You’ll start to notice some clear liquid in the bottom, then some of the sugar will get clumpy. Keep stirring then and you’ll notice the clumps start to melt and everything starts to turn an amber color.
- Once it turns a medium amber color, finish up the recipe. If you like a darker caramel, you can let it go a little darker, but just be careful. Dark to burned happens in just a few seconds.
- The caramel thickens as it cools. Once you refrigerate it it will become thick like pudding, but a quick microwaving before serving will turn it back into a thick and rich sauce.
After I made my first batch of secret caramel sauce (I’ll post it soon) I didn’t think I could do any better.
I was wrong, because this pumpkin caramel sauce is seriously one of the best things I’ve ever had. Good luck not just drinking it.
But I wouldn’t judge you if you did.
Pumpkin Caramel Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter sliced into tablespoons
- 2/3 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1/3 cup pumpkin puree not pumpkin pie mix
- 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch salt optional (or up to 1 teaspoon if you want a “salted” pumpkin caramel)
Instructions
- Note: making caramel is something that needs your undivided attention. Make sure you have all your ingredients gathered before starting and that you are not distracted. Leaving the caramel alone at any point can cause it to burn. Read the entire recipe before continuing.
- Place sugar in a heavy-bottomed medium sauce pot. Make sure the sides of the pot come up a little bit (that it’s not a shallow pan) because it will boil up when you add the cream later.
- Place the pan over medium-low heat. Cook stirring often, but being careful not to spread the sugar up the sides of the pan too much. The sugar will become a little bit liquidy, form clumps, then finally melt into a light amber liquid. Keep stirring until the liquid is amber in color. This will take about 7-12 minutes, depending on your pot and the heat of your stove. DO NOT LEAVE THE SUGAR ALONE, it will burn fast.
- Once the liquid turns amber and all the sugar crystals have melted, add the butter and stir until it’s melted. Add half of the heavy whipping cream, stir, then add the rest. It will bubble up as you add it to the mixture. Turn off the heat and then stir in the pumpkin, spice, vanilla, and salt, if using. Stir until smooth. You may need to whisk it to get out all the clumps.
- Pour the caramel carefully into a jar and let cool to room temperature. Cover and store in the refrigerator. When ready to use, remove the lid and heat in 30 second increments until the caramel is melted and smooth and the desired consistency (about 60-90 seconds for the just-made texture). Will keep for 2 weeks in the refrigerator.
Recipe Nutrition
Sweets from friends:
No Fail Caramel Sauce from The Slow Roasted Italian
The Best and Easiest Homemade Caramel Sauce by Averie Cooks
Homemade Salted Caramel Sauce by Something Swanky
Last Updated on May 13, 2020
So happy I found this today on Pinterest. I found out this weekend that TJs has discontinued their Pumpkin Carmel sauce? My family loves it paired with their cinnamon dusted cheese and apple slices for dessert.
I will now be using your recipe, every fall! Thanks
WHAT? OMG that stuff was amazing. It’s what inspired this recipe!!
Hi, I have a question. Not sure if you will read this. You posted last year, but I’ll try. Do you think this Sauce will work like so I can make Carmel apples?
I think you can if you use less heavy whipping cream. I haven’t tried it though! Let me know how it works if you give it a go.
Hi Dorothy!
This recipe is awesome! Do you think it’s a good idea to use it as a filling for chocolate cake? “Chocolate Cake with Pumpkin Caramel Filling” would be a great dessert for thanksgiving! ???
This looks amazing. I’m thinking of topping a plain cheesecake with it and some candied pecans. Do you think that would be a good combo?
Oh yes, very. Sounds awesome!
Oh my word!!!! I’ll be putting this on everything…but most importantly I’d be putting this on a spoon and straight in my mouth 😉
Love it, love the hack, love you!! Thanks
After my daughter and I decimated a jar of T.J.’s pumpkin caramel(it’s amazing in coffee!) I took to the internet to find a homemade version. I was so excited to find your recipe and will try it today. Thank you!
WOW. In coffee? I must try that!
I am making pumpkin cheesecake for Thanksgiving and am planning on making this sauce to go with it.
I stopped by TJ’s this afternoon, and OF COURSE this was the first thing I saw, thanks to your post! I literally put my hands over my eyes and shook my head to make myself concentrate on my list. But boy oh boy… If I had a jar of your caramel sauce, I’d dig in with a spoon until it all disappeared. 🙂 Pinned!
Right? Me too!
I fully intend on making a batch of this and treating my flatmates to pumpkin caramel sauce and crepes this weekend!
Your recipe is in my top picks for alternatives to pumpkin spiced lattes – thank you for your post!
http://teayogame.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/no-thanks-pumpkin-spiced-latte.html
Thank you!
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