Indulge in this creamy, smooth Bourbon Caramel Sauce. Drizzle it over ice cream, pecan pie, or stir it in your coffee. There are endless ways to enjoy this sweet, slightly-salty, deep, rich caramel.
In a large saucepan, whisk together the sugar and water until combined. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
Swirl the pan approximately every 30 seconds to prevent burning, but you do not need to stir. Do so for approximately 12-15 minutes, until the caramel reaches a deep golden amber color.
Remove from heat and carefully whisk in the lukewarm heavy cream; be careful as it will bubble up, just continue to whisk!
Add butter, bourbon, vanilla extract, and sea salt, if using. Stir to combine, as the butter melts in.
Let cool slightly and transfer to a heat-proof glass jar. The caramel will thicken as it cools. Store in the air-tight jar in the fridge for up to 3 weeks.
Notes
To reheat: Place in the microwave and heat in 20-second increments, stirring in between, until the desired texture is reached.This recipe makes approximately 8 oz (1 cup) of sauce.