GPAC Salted Caramel Sauce

Oh (hurricane) Sandy. Just go away already. We still have power right now. I shouldn't have said that. Oh well. It's cold, wet, and windy. I made it to the post office and the drug store. Now we're hanging out watching The Chronicles of Narnia- The Lion,the Witch, and the Wardrobe. I decided to make a Salted Caramel Sauce for the girls to dip their apples in. It's so good we burnt our tongues eating it, it's cooled down now and is warm, but it's almost all gone. It would be good with graham crackers and on top of ice cream. Drizzled on cupcakes too. I dropped off the jar and apples in the picture to our neighbors quick like, so just bakers twine and a mommy card.

This caramel sauce is very easy to make. I didn't use a candy thermometer. Just basic ingredients, and maybe 10 minutes and you're done.

GPAC Salted Caramel Sauce

Makes approx 2 1/2- 2 3/4 cups
13 tablespoons of butter

2 cups sugar, white or brown sugar

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1/4-1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup heavy cream

In a heavy bottomed pot (see note below) combine the butter and sugar over high heat. Cook until the butter is melted and the sugar is incorporated. It will look thick.
Cook the sugar without stirring until it is just starting to turn a light golden brown. The sugar will start to melt at this point. 

Stir gently until the sugar is a light caramel color- too dark and you'll have  caramels, not that there's anything wrong with that. 

Turn off the heat, add the vanilla, and salt. Slowly and carefully stir in the cream. Transfer the sauce to a glass container. Store in the refrigerator. Reheat as needed if it gets hard. Or just scoop it out with a spoon and eat it.

*Always use a pot that is BIGGER than you think you'll need when working with caramel. Trust me on this one. A heavy bottom pan is mostly for more even heating, so use what you have.

 Crazy how butter and sugar can turn into this goodness...

 mmm, caramel-y goodness.

 Careful whisking in the vanilla and cream! The caramel is HOT.

 How are you all doing? Fall is here, do any of you go apple picking or have "must do" fall traditions?
Also if you're in the storms path stay safe! Make wise choices!