Ghirardelli caramel sauce is a delicious and versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of desserts, snacks, and treats. With its sweet, sticky, gooey texture and rich caramel flavor, this sauce adds a special touch to any recipe. But with so many options, what is the best way to use Ghirardelli caramel sauce?
Enjoy it Straight Up
One of the simplest ways to enjoy Ghirardelli caramel sauce is to have it straight from the jar! Grab a spoon and dig right in for an easy caramel fix. Drizzle it over ice cream, fresh fruit, or just eat it with a spoon. The thick, velvety texture and complex flavors of Ghirardelli caramel make this a perfect anytime treat.
Make Caramel Apples
For a fun fall treat, dip apples in Ghirardelli caramel sauce. Start with crisp, sweet apples and insert sticks into the stems. Heat the caramel sauce slightly to soften, then dip the apples in the sauce to generously coat. Top with chocolate chips, crushed nuts, coconut flakes or decorations of your choice. Let the sauce harden before serving for irresistible caramel apples.
Fill Desserts
Ghirardelli caramel sauce is amazing drizzled over all kinds of desserts. Top ice cream sundaes with a healthy drizzle of caramel for added richness. Fill crepes, pastries or churros with the sauce for a decadent treat. Use it as a dip for sliced fruit like apples, bananas or strawberries. Drizzle it over cakes, brownies or cookies for extra sweetness and moisture. The options for using this sauce to top off all kinds of desserts are endless.
Make Caramel Popcorn
For an irresistible snack, make caramel corn using Ghirardelli sauce. Pop your favorite popcorn and spread it out on a baking sheet. Melt the caramel sauce in a saucepan with a little butter. Drizzle the caramel over the popcorn and toss to evenly coat. Bake at 250°F for about 30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes. The caramel will turn thick and sticky, coating each popcorn kernel in sweetness. Sprinkle with a little sea salt for the perfect sweet and salty snack.
Create Caramel Fillings
Use Ghirardelli caramel sauce as a filling for all kinds of baked goods. Swirl it into coffee cakes, stuff it into donuts or use as a filling between layers of cake. Spread it between graham crackers for homemade cracker candy. Stir it into cookie batter before baking or into frosting to create caramel cream. Infuse pastry cream with it for an extra decadent filling for crepes or profiteroles. The options for baked treats with an ooey-gooey caramel center are endless.
Make Caramel Pudding
For an easy weeknight dessert, whip up some caramel pudding with Ghirardelli sauce. Make a batch of vanilla pudding from scratch or use instant pudding mix. Prepare it according to package directions. Swirl in 1⁄4 to 1⁄2 cup of the caramel sauce until thoroughly combined. The sauce will dissolve into the pudding, creating a rich caramel flavor. Pour into cups and top with whipped cream. Chill in the fridge before serving for old-fashioned caramel pudding.
Drizzle it Over Breads
Take boring bread to a new level by drizzling with Ghirardelli caramel. Try it on waffles, pancakes, French toast or quick breads. The sweet, sticky sauce compliments the texture of fresh-baked breads for a simple breakfast or snack. For next-level flavor, toast slices of bread then top with butter and a generous drizzle of caramel sauce. The melted butter helps the sauce soak into all the nooks and crannies. Dip sliced fruit in the sauce for an extra component.
Make Caramel Milkshakes
Cool off with a creamy caramel milkshake made with Ghirardelli sauce. Simply blend together ice cream, milk and several tablespoons of the caramel sauce. The sauce will add sweetness and prevent ice crystals from forming. Top with more caramel plus whipped cream and a cherry for a picture-perfect milkshake. For an adult version, add a shot of whiskey, Kahlua or your favorite liquor to the blender. The flavors of caramel and liquor are made for each other.
Bake Caramel Bars
For the perfect potluck dessert, make a pan of ooey-gooey caramel bars. Start with a thick, chewy shortbread crust. Layer the caramel sauce on top and spread into an even layer. Top with chocolate chips, coconut flakes and nuts if desired. Bake until the caramel is bubbling. Cool completely before cutting into bars. The buttery crust topped with rich, sticky caramel is an unbeatable flavor combo that makes these bars a crowd favorite.
Top Pancakes and Waffles
No breakfast spread is complete without a sweet topping, so break out the Ghirardelli caramel for your next morning meal. The buttery, velvety sauce is delicious drizzled over stacks of pancakes or Belgian waffles. The sweet caramel complements the soft, fluffy texture of pancakes and soaks right into every pore of waffles. For extra decadence, add a scoop of ice cream and more caramel on top. This sauce definitely makes breakfast a little more fun.
Make Caramel Coffee
Add a hit of sweetness to your daily cup of joe with a caramel coffee treat. Stir a few tablespoons of Ghirardelli caramel sauce into your hot coffee until blended and smooth. Top with whipped cream and an extra drizzle of caramel if desired. For iced coffee, mix the sauce into cold brew or milk before pouring over ice. You can also make caramel lattes by asking your barista to add caramel sauce to your espresso drink. Either way, the flavor of caramel and coffee is a delightful pair.
Create Caramel Dips
Ghirardelli caramel sauce doubles as a perfect sweet dip for fruit and treats. Try dipping apple slices, banana pieces, strawberries and other fresh fruit. Drizzle it into a bowl and use as a dip for pretzel rods or churro sticks. You can even use it as a sauce for ice cream sundaes. Scoop ice cream into bowls and let guests drizzle on their desired amount of caramel sauce topping. Sweet, sticky and flavorful, this all-purpose sauce makes the ideal fruity dip.
Make Caramel Applesauce
For a twist on plain applesauce, mix in sweet caramel sauce. Cook down apples with cinnamon, brown sugar and a touch of water. Mash to desired consistency, then swirl in Ghirardelli caramel. The sauce will melt into apple puree, adding extra richness and flavor. Top with crumbled cookies, granola or nuts for texture. Kids and adults alike will love this fun twist on a classic snack made a little more decadent with sweet caramel swirled in.
Bake Caramel Cheesecake
For an impressive dessert sure to satisfy any sweet tooth, bake a luxurious caramel cheesecake. Make your favorite cheesecake recipe and pour the caramel sauce on top before baking. The sauce will create a delicious layer of gooey caramel over the creamy cheesecake filling. Chill the cheesecake once cooled, then serve slices drizzled with extra caramel sauce. For maximum decadence, add other toppings like whipped cream, nuts, chocolate or fruit on top.
Make Caramel Monkey Bread
Monkey bread gets taken over the top with the addition of caramel sauce. Make monkey bread by forming balls of dough coated in cinnamon sugar. Layer them in a bundt pan and let rise. Before baking, pour the caramel sauce evenly over the dough balls. Bake until golden brown and pull apart for sticky, ooey-gooey pieces of caramel coated dough. The sauce bakes into the nooks and crannies for maximum flavor. Serve monkey bread warm so the caramel is still melted and gooey.
Coat Fruit Skewers
For a fun party appetizer or dessert, make caramel fruit skewers. Thread cubes of fruit like pineapple, apple, strawberries, bananas or melon onto skewers. Heat up the caramel sauce until just thin enough to drip slightly. Dip or drizzle the fruit skewers in the sauce to generously coat. Let any excess drip off before transferring to a serving platter. The sweet, sticky caramel complements the fresh fruit flavors for a beautiful presentation.
Top Oatmeal
Oatmeal gets a quick flavor upgrade thanks to Ghirardelli caramel sauce. Prepare a bowl of oats with your favorite mix-ins like fruit, nuts or milk. Then drizzle the caramel generously over the top. The sauce will melt into the hot oatmeal, adding sweetness to balance the hearty grains. Top with extra fruit, cinnamon or brown sugar if desired. The creamy caramel takes oatmeal from bland breakfast to dessert-for-breakfast status.
Make Caramel Popcorn Balls
For a retro treat straight from the fair, make popcorn balls coated in caramel sauce. Pop your popcorn seasoned to taste. Heat up the caramel sauce until just thin enough to drizzle. Pour it over the popcorn and mix with a rubber spatula to evenly coat each kernel. Allow to slightly cool and start to harden, then use your hands to form into balls. Create bite-size balls for an easy snack or make a few large popcorn balls for a fun party favor. Store in an airtight container at room temperature.
Fill Crepes
Drizzle your favorite crepe filling with extra sweetness by topping it off with Ghirardelli caramel sauce. Make basic sweet crepes with butter and sugar. Fill them with a traditional filling like fresh fruit, lemon curd, chocolate hazelnut spread or sweetened cream cheese. Top each crepe with a generous drizzle of caramel sauce for an extra layer of flavor. The sticky sauce complements both fruit and cream based fillings. Fold up the crepes and top with powdered sugar before serving.
Make Caramel Apples
For the perfect fall treat, dip crisp apples in melted Ghirardelli caramel sauce. Wash and dry sweet apple varieties like Honeycrisp, Fuji or Gala. Insert a popsicle stick or skewer into the top of each apple. Pour the caramel sauce into a deep bowl and heat in the microwave until just melted enough to coat the apples. One at a time, dip the apples in the warm caramel until coated on all sides. Let excess sauce drip off before transferring to a parchment lined baking sheet. Top with any desired additions like nuts or chocolate chips while the caramel is still warm so they stick. Chill in the fridge until serving for crunchy sweet caramel apples.
Fill Cupcakes
Take ordinary cupcakes to extraordinary new heights by filling them with Ghirardelli caramel. Bake cupcakes in your favorite flavors like vanilla, chocolate or red velvet. Once cooled, use a small knife to cut out the center of each cupcake, hollowing it out while leaving the bottom intact. Fill the hole with a spoonful of caramel sauce. Replace the top of the cupcake and frost. The surprise caramel center makes these cupcakes irresistible. Drizzle extra caramel over the frosted tops as well.
Make Caramel Fondue
For a fun twist on chocolate fondue, make a caramel version with Ghirardelli sauce. Heat up the caramel sauce in a fondue pot or regular pot until melted and smooth. Transfer to the fondue pot to keep warm for dipping. Provide sliced fruit, cubed pound cake, marshmallows, pretzels or other dippers for guests to drizzle in the caramel. The sweet, sticky fondue makes a great centerpiece for a party or dessert table. Offer festive skewers for easy dipping into the gooey caramel goodness.
Fill Donuts
Plain donuts get taken to the next level when you fill them with caramel sauce. Make or purchase your favorite donut variety. Inject caramel into the donuts using a pastry bag and tip or simply cut a slit and spoon the caramel inside. The sauce will ooze out with every blissful bite. You can also coat the tops of the donuts in more caramel for extra decadence. Cake, yeast and even donut holes are delicious options for this easy caramel-filled treat.
Make Caramel Rice Krispies Treats
For an ooey-gooey twist on the classic, make caramel stuffed Rice Krispies treats. Prepare the Rice Krispies mixture as directed on the package, using melted butter to bind it together. Reserve 1-2 cups of the mixture, then press the rest into a greased baking pan. Smooth the reserved Rice Krispies on top. Pour melted Ghirardelli caramel sauce over the layer of Rice Krispies, using a spatula to spread evenly. Top with more Rice Krispies mixture and press down firmly to encapsulate the caramel center. Let set before slicing into chewy, gooey squares.
Conclusion
With its rich flavor and indulgent texture, Ghirardelli caramel sauce is a pantry staple that can elevate both everyday snacks and fancy desserts. Drizzle it over ice cream or fresh fruit for a quick treat, or incorporate it into creative bakes, milkshakes, candies and other sweets. However you choose to use it, Ghirardelli caramel sauce is sure to bring sweetness and delight to any recipe. Next time a caramel craving strikes, reach for this versatile sauce to satisfy your sweet tooth in endless decadent ways.
