Recipes

Caramel, We're Stuck on You

These 25 recipes, for gooey desserts and next-level dinners, confirm that, yes, the world is a better place when it's doused in caramel.
Image may contain Cutlery Spoon Food Dessert Custard Creme Cream and Caramel
Gentl & Hyers

Caramel makes everything better—that's a fact. So when we want something to eat by the spoonful, we go straight for the good stuff. These 25 recipes, for gooey desserts and next-level dinners, confirm that, yes, the world is a better place when it's doused in caramel.

  • Image may contain Drink Soda Beverage Cocktail Alcohol Glass and Beer
    Ted Cavanaugh
    3/25

    Caramel and Root Beer Float

    Pour in the root beer slowly, allowing it to cascade over the ice cream, then top off until the glass is full.

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  • Image may contain Food Confectionery Sweets Dessert Dish Meal Fruit Pineapple Plant Pastry Icing Cake and Creme
    Alex Lau
    4/25

    Croquembouche

    Is this caramel cream-puff skyscraper a showstopper? Yes. Is it a major-league project? Yes! Here’s the strategy: Make the puffs and the pastry cream a couple of days in advance, then tackle assembly on the morning of the day you plan to serve this.

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  • Image may contain Food
    Michael Graydon + Nikole Herriott
    5/25

    Caramelized-Honey Brûlée

    If you don’t have a kitchen torch, time to treat yourself. They’re inexpensive and super fun to use—and you can’t make this dessert without one.

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  • Image may contain Cutlery Fork Food Dessert Dish and Meal
    Michael Graydon + Nikole Herriott
    6/25

    Chocolate-Caramel Pecan Tart

    You can also bake this candy bar of a tart in an 8x8" pan, but whatever you do, toast those nuts.

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  • Image may contain Dish Food Meal Animal and Bird
    Peden + Munk
    7/25

    Crab Fat–Caramel Wings

    Don’t worry—you won’t need to buy any crabs to make these mind-altering wings from Hot Joy. The crab flavor comes from a jarred condiment that’s pretty easy to find at Asian markets; if not, use the shrimp version.

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  • Image may contain Cutlery Spoon Fruit Plant Food Blueberry and Jam
    Christina Holmes
    8/25

    Blackberry-Vinegar Caramel Sauce

    This revelatory sauce starts with a dry caramel, meaning no water is added to the sugar. It will take on color quickly and is less likely to crystallize.

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  • Image may contain Food Dessert Chocolate Fudge Cocoa and Cake
    Alison Roman, Janet McCracken
    15/25

    Salted Caramel "Ding Dong" Cake

    It may look like a giant lunch-box treat, but an ultra-smooth ganache and a final flourish of crunchy sea salt make this one elegant cake.

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  • Image may contain Saucer Pottery Food Bread Coffee Cup Cup and Egg
    16/25

    Salted Butter Caramels

    Put the evening over the top by setting out these easy, impressive caramels after dessert. Or set out wax-paper bags so friends can take them home for the next day.

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  • Image may contain Cutlery Spoon Food Egg Dessert Coffee Cup Cup Drink Beverage and Bowl
    Gentl & Hyers
    17/25

    Burnt-Caramel Custards

    Don't be surprised when guests lick the ramekins for these stellar custards clean.

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  • Image may contain Plant Food Breakfast Produce Vegetable and Bread
    18/25

    Almond Bread Pudding with Salted Caramel Sauce

    Adding salt to this classic sauce lets you taste the rich complexity of the caramel, not just the sweetness. To save time, feel free to replace the almonds and butter with 1/2 cup store-bought roasted almond butter (no added sugar). Just stir in the salt and almond extract and it's recipe-ready.

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  • Image may contain Food Bread Confectionery and Sweets
    21/25

    Molten Dulce de Leche Cakes

    La Huella pastry chef Florencia Courreges gives the gooey molten cake a below-the-equator vibe by adding rich dulce de leche instead of chocolate. The timing is critical; invert and serve the cakes hot, just out of the oven.

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  • Image may contain Creme Cream Food Dessert Confectionery Sweets Bread and Cake
    Julian Broad
    22/25

    Banana Cream Pie with Salty Bourbon Caramel

    This showstopper is a worthwhile project. Set aside some time 2 days ahead to make the components, then practice saying "Aw shucks, that was nothing!" to raving guests.

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  • Image may contain Creme Cream Food Dessert and Ice Cream
    Matt Duckor
    25/25

    Popcorn Crunch Sundae

    When adding the caramel to the popcorn and peanuts, work quickly and thoroughly to coat the other ingredients before it hardens.

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Associate Web Editor. When she’s not posted up at a café, reading and praying that sipping her cappuccino won’t mean sacrificing a night’s sleep, Elyssa writes about food culture and restaurant trends for bonappetit.com. The team’s unrelenting sweet tooth and beverage nerd, Elyssa can also be found refreshing the Wait-or-Buy ... Read More
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