There’s no dessert ingredient as versatile as caramel; with its rich buttery flavour, it has the ability to elevate any dessert to new heights. Whether it's drizzled over ice cream, layered in a cake, or swirled into a pudding, caramel adds a touch of indulgence and a mild smokiness to any recipe. The best thing about caramel is that it’s easy to use since its flavour is buildable and not intense.
If you want to add a hint of caramel to your bakes or biscuits, the best way to achieve a caramel infusion is by using a caramel essence in the batter. For custard-style desserts, caramel is usually added to the base, while it’s used in the filling for pies. Here are some caramel desserts you can easily make at home.
Salted Caramel Brownies
The only way to elevate a dense, fudgy brownie is with a gooey layer of salted caramel sandwiched in the middle. The contrasting textures and flavours create a symphony of sweetness and saltiness that is impossible to resist. You can use homemade caramel or a caramel essence in the batter.
Caramel Apple Pie
If you like the comforting warmth of a traditional apple pie, you’ll love it when it’s infused with the smoky lusciousness of caramel. The sweetness of the caramel perfectly complements the tartness of the apples. Serve it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra touch of decadence.
Caramel Banana Bread Pudding
Switch up the humble banana bread into a luxurious dessert by turning it into a bread pudding drenched in caramel sauce. The moist banana bread soaks up the caramel, creating a melt-in-your-mouth experience; try to use a smokier caramel for this, to give the dessert richer notes.
Caramel Affogato
Coffee lovers will love this melange which is the perfect dessert for any time of day! Pour a shot of hot espresso over a scoop of vanilla ice cream and generously drizzle with caramel sauce. The hot and cold, bitter and sweet interplay is the biggest USP of this dessert!
Caramel Pecan Cheesecake
Take cheesecake to the next level by incorporating caramel and toasted pecans. The creamy texture of the cheesecake combined with the crunchy, caramelised nuts provides a luxurious dessert that is both visually stunning and indulgently delicious.
Caramelised White Chocolate Mousse
Explore the world of caramelized white chocolate with a decadent mousse. The white chocolate is slowly caramelized to achieve a deep, toasty flavour that transforms the mousse into a sophisticated and velvety treat. Top it with a drizzle of caramel for an extra layer of sweetness.
Caramel Macaron Ice Cream Sandwiches
Merge the delicate flavours of caramel macarons with the creaminess of ice cream to create a delightful handheld dessert. The crisp and chewy macaron shells sandwich a generous scoop of caramel-flavoured ice cream, providing a perfect balance of textures and tastes.
Caramel Coconut Tres Leches Cake
Give the classic tres leches cake a tropical twist by infusing it with the flavours of caramel and coconut. The sponge cake soaks up a mixture of three milks, creating a moist and rich dessert. The addition of caramel and coconut adds layers of complexity, making it a show-stopping finale to our caramel-based dessert journey.