Starbucks Dark Caramel Sauce (2024)

• granulated sugar– our base for caramel.
• corn syrup– helps to keep the sauce from getting grainy.
• water– allows the sugar to cook longer to make better flavors.
• vanillaextract– adds a light hint of vanilla.
• heavycream– adds richness to the sauce.
• unsaltedbutter– chop into pieces first so it melts quicker.

Substitutions and Variations

• Regular caramel sauce– use mybrown sugar caramel sauce recipethat calls for brown sugar and butter. It’s the non-traditional version because we aren’t actually caramelizing the sugar, but it’s still delicious and provides a bit more mellow, creamy flavor.
• Salted caramel sauce– add a large pinch of sea salt flakes when adding the vanilla.
• To make your owndark caramel coffee frappuccino, blend a cup of coffee, a cup of whole milk, ⅓ cup of dark caramel sauce with ice. If you like more of a sweet taste, you can add in a littlesimple syrup, honey, or maple syrup.
• For ahot classic caramel macchiato, heat a cup of milk until it’s hot. Combine with a shot of espresso or a ½ cup of hot coffee. Add a pump or two of vanilla syrup. Top with whipped cream and caramel sauce.
• To make acaramel pumpkin macchiato, use pumpkin pie syrup (recipe in our Iced Pumpkin Spice Latte recipe) and add a tablespoon or two of sauce. Use cold coffee or espresso blended with ice cubes for the iced version.

Step 1: Combine the sugar, water, and corn syrup in a heavy saucepan and stir until combined.

Step 2: Heat over medium heat so the mixture comes to a simmer. Constantly stir so the sugar dissolves evenly as it is heating up and doesn’t scorch on the bottom.

Step 3: Dip a pastry brush in water to wash down the sides of the pan.If sugar crystals stay on the sides of the pan and then get added to the caramel later, it can cause crystallization in the finished sauce.

Step 4: Once the sauce is simmering and the sides have been washed down, stop stirring.

Step 6: Remove the caramelized sugar from the stovetop and stir in the cream slowly.

Step 7: Stir in the vanilla and pieces of butter one at a time.Cool the caramel sauce to room temperature.

Starbucks Dark Caramel Recipe Tips

• Dark caramel happens when it’s heat to 375-380°F, while medium amber caramel heats to 355-360°F.
• Keep a close eye once the sugar begins to change colors. The temperature can increase fast and cause the sauce to burn quickly.
• This caramel sauce has a deep, complex flavor. Just on the edge of scorched, the caramel is richer than a non-traditional caramel sauce.
• We are using the wet method of cooking caramel here, since we mix the granulated sugar with water. The dry method of caramel making requires caramelizing the sugar crystals without using water and I find it a bit more tedious.

Fun Fact

The lighter a caramel sauce is the less flavor it will have.

What drinks use dark caramel sauce at Starbucks?

While the Starbuck’s menu changes often and they have seasonal drinks, the most common Starbucks drinks that use dark caramel sauce areCaramel Frappuccino, Iced Caramel Macchiato, Caramel Apple Spice, and Salted Caramel Mocha.

How long does Starbucks caramel sauce last?

This rich sauce will keep in the refrigerator for up to 14 days when stored in an airtight container or glass jar. When you are ready to make your next batch of caramel-flavored drinks, simply warm it in the warm it in the microwave for 1 minute, stirring after 30 seconds or place it over a pot of simmering water until it reaches the right consistency.

What’s the difference between regular and dark caramel sauce?

The key differences between the two is that the dark caramel sauce has a bit more smoky flavor and is darker in color because it’s cooked longer.

• Caramel Pecan Pie Cheesecake

• Caramel Apples

• Pumpkin Bread Pudding with Caramel Sauce

• Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars