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    The Heirloom Pantry » Recipe Index » Dressings and Sauces

    How to Make Caramel Syrup for Coffee

    Published: Oct 1, 2022 · Modified: Oct 23, 2022 by Kathleen Higashiyama · The following content may contain affiliate links. When you click and shop the links, we receive a commission.

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    Pinterest pin for homemade caramel syrup for coffee.

    Caramel Syrup is the perfect sweetener for hot or iced coffee or tea. It is easy to make, requires just 3 ingredients, and has a delicious butterscotch flavor. Try it on pancakes, ice cream, or baked goodies too!

    Homemade caramel syrup for coffee on a spoon with a glass of iced coffee.

    We love to add caramel syrup to our coffee for a little extra pizzaz! It tastes better than simple syrup and is great to have on hand to satisfy a sweet craving. The sugar caramelizes resulting in a light syrup with hints of butterscotch.

    Make a jar for a better-than-Starbucks latte at home or jar them for friends and family around the holidays. This amber-colored syrup adds a touch of sweetness to your morning coffee. Try it in our Caramel Iced Coffee or Iced Pumpkin Spice Latte!

    Jump to:
    • About Caramel Syrup
    • Ingredients
    • Substitutions
    • Variations
    • Instructions
    • How to Use Caramel Syrup
    • Recipe FAQs
    • Equipment
    • Storage
    • Cooking Tips
    • Related Recipes
    • Did You Like This Recipe?
    • How to Make Caramel Syrup for Coffee

    About Caramel Syrup

    • Taste - The caramel syrup is sweet and decadent.
    • Texture - It is light and thin making it perfect for blending into hot or iced coffee.
    • Effort - All you need to do is dissolve the sugar then mix in the sweetener.
    • Time - It takes about 30 minutes total to make.

    Ingredients

    Ingredients to make homemade caramel syrup for coffee.
    • Granulated sugar - Granulated sugar gives the caramel its signature sweet flavor. The sugar caramelizes to make caramel and turns the syrup a light amber color.
    • Water - Water thins out the sugar mixture to create a light syrupy texture.
    • Vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste - Vanilla extract adds complexity and sweetness to the caramel syrup. Use vanilla bean paste for a richer vanilla flavor.

    See recipe card for quantities.

    Substitutions

    • Brown sugar - Use brown sugar instead of granulated sugar for a molasses flavor.

    Variations

    • Salted caramel syrup - Add a pinch of salt when you add the vanilla extract to make this a salted caramel syrup.
    • Coffee caramel syrup - Add coffee extract to create a rich coffee syrup.
    • Chocolate caramel syrup - Add chocolate extract to make this a chocolate caramel syrup.

    Instructions

    Steps to make homemade caramel syrup for coffee.
    • Add sugar and 1 cup water to a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir the mixture until sugar is dissolved, about 5 minutes. Do not let it boil until the sugar has completely dissolved. Once dissolved, cover the saucepan with a lid and boil until the mixture has a light amber color, about 20-30 minutes.
    • While the sugar water cooks, heat up ½ cup of water. As soon as the syrup turns a light brown, remove the saucepan from the heat. Carefully stir in water, vanilla, allow to cool, then pour into a sterilized glass jar and seal with a lid. When you are ready to use it, add 1 tablespoon of caramel syrup to your coffee to make your homemade caramel coffee.

    Pro-tip: This recipe doesn't use much liquid so you should use a small saucepan instead of a large one to ensure the syrup cooks evenly.

    How to Use Caramel Syrup

    Once your coffee and syrup are done, add the syrup to the coffee right away then enjoy! If you are making iced coffee, just wait until the syrup cools to room temperature before adding it. If you are looking for a delicious iced coffee recipe, check our Iced Caramel Coffee or Iced Pumpkin Spice Latte. This syrup is also delicious drizzled over fluffy pancakes, scones, or ice cream.

    Recipe FAQs

    Can you freeze caramel syrup?

    Yes, you can freeze this homemade caramel syrup for up to 3 months. Just make sure to store it in a sanitized air-tight container. When you want to use it again, thaw it at room temperature then warm it the microwave.

    What does caramel taste like in coffee?

    Caramel adds a sweet and toasty flavor to the coffee. We love it in most of our coffee drinks.

    What brand of caramel syrup does Starbucks use?

    Starbucks uses its own brand of caramel syrup. Our recipe is tastier and super easy to make.

    Can you put syrup in black coffee?

    Yes, you can add this syrup straight to black coffee as a sweetener. Just be sure to mix it in so it is fully incorporated.

    Is caramel syrup vegan?

    Yes, all of the ingredients in this caramel sauce are vegan.

    Equipment

    This easy caramel syrup recipe requires just a few common kitchen essentials. You will need measuring spoons, a small saucepan, a whisk, and a sanitized dry jar or container for storage.

    Storage

    Store caramel syrup coffee mixture in a sanitized dry jar at room temperature for 3 days. If you want it to last longer, you can refrigerate it for up to 1 month. When you are ready to use the caramel syrup again after it has been refrigerated, let it reach room temperature or warm it in the microwave to make it silky again.

    Cooking Tips

    • If the caramel mixture is still thick after adding water, put it on low heat and stir until the water and caramel mixture are incorporated.
    • Check on the caramel around the 12-15 minute mark to ensure that it doesn't burn.
    • If you are adding the caramel syrup to iced coffee, wait until the syrup gets to room temperature before adding it.

    Related Recipes

    • Iced Pumpkin Spice Latte
    • How to Make Coffee Ice Cubes
    • How to Make Fresh Squeezed Orange Juice
    • Hojicha Latte (Iced and Hot)

    Did You Like This Recipe?

    Love this easy caramel syrup recipe? Please leave a 5-star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 rating in the recipe card & leave a comment below. Thanks in advance!

    Homemade caramel syrup for coffee on a spoon with a glass of iced coffee.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    5 from 2 votes

    How to Make Caramel Syrup for Coffee

    Caramel Syrup is the perfect sweetener for hot or iced coffee or tea. It is easy to make, requires just 3 ingredients, and has a delicious butterscotch flavor. Try it on pancakes, ice cream, or baked goodies too!
    Cook Time25 mins
    Total Time25 mins
    Course: Sweets
    Cuisine: American
    Servings: 16
    Calories: 49kcal
    Author: Kathleen Higashiyama

    Equipment

    • 1 Measuring spoons
    • 1 saucepan
    • 1 whisk
    • 1 jar

    Ingredients 

    • 1 cup granulated sugar
    • 1½ cups water, divided
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste

    Instructions

    • Add sugar and 1 cup water to a small saucepan and cook over medium heat. Stir the mixture until sugar is dissolved, about 5 minutes. Do not let it boil until the sugar has completely dissolved. Once dissolved, cover the saucepan with a lid and boil until the mixture turns amber in color, about 20-30 minutes.
      1½ cups water, divided, 1 cup granulated sugar
    • While the sugar water cooks, heat up ½ cup of water. As soon as the syrup turns a light brown, remove the saucepan from the heat. Carefully stir in water, vanilla, allow to cool, then pour into a sterilized glass jar and seal with a lid. Keep refrigerated for up to one month.
      1 teaspoon vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste, 1½ cups water, divided

    Notes

    Storage
    • Store caramel syrup in a sanitized dry jar at room temperature for 3 days or refrigerate it for up to 3 weeks. When you are ready to use the caramel syrup again, just warm it in the microwave to make it silky again.
    Cooking Tips
    • If the caramel mixture is still thick after adding water, put the mixture on low heat and stir until the water and caramel mixture are incorporated.
    • Check on the caramel around the 12-15 minute mark to ensure that it doesn't burn.
    • Use a small saucepan instead of a large one because there isn't much liquid and the syrup needs to cook evenly.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 49kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Fat: 0.04g | Sodium: 0.1mg | Potassium: 1mg | Sugar: 13g | Calcium: 0.2mg | Iron: 0.01mg
    Keyword: caramel sauce for coffee, caramel syrup, caramel syrup coffee, caramel syrup for coffee, caramel syrup for coffee recipe, caramel syrup in coffee, how to make caramel for coffee, how to make caramel syrup for coffee
    Tried this recipe?Mention @theheirloompantry or tag #theheirloompantry!

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    About the Author

    Kat Higashiyama and Alec Totto are recipe developers, food photographers, and the authors behind The Heirloom Pantry. Since 2017, they have shared recipes inspired by their Japanese and Italian heritage and California and Hawaii roots. They reside in San Jose with their two dogs, Peeps and Paisley. Read More…

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