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Paleo & AIP Caramel Sauce has only 2 ingredients and takes just 10 minutes to make. You’ll love the outcome and make it often for all your caramel needs.
This recipe is also Vegan and Gluten-free.
Jump to RecipeWhat makes this Caramel Sauce Paleo and AIP
Who doesn’t love caramel sauce?! But it can be intimidating to make, and time consuming.
Not anymore.
Paleo and AIP Caramel Sauce has just two ingredients: coconut cream and coconut sugar.
Both are non-dairy and AIP-approved.
Paleo & AIP Caramel Sauce is refined sugar-free, dairy-free, and there’s a dairy variation if you prefer a Primal version.
This recipe is still a dessert and obviously not intended to be a staple in anyone’s diet. But when it comes to treats, these ingredients are natural, non-inflammatory and gentle to digest.
How to use Paleo & AIP Caramel Sauce
Think of brownies, brownie sundaes, pies and cakes, like these:
- AIP Chocolate Cake
- Drizzle over Ice Cream Mud Pie.
- Make AIP Caramel Apple Pie.
- Spread it on AIP Pumpkin Cake or between the layers of a layer cake.
- Make Paleo & AIP Pear Upside Down Cake.
- Tahini Brownies (not AIP, just Paleo)
This sauce is so versatile:
- Enjoy it on a morning Paleo waffle or AIP waffle with applesauce!
- Tower it with AIP Biscuits, fruit and coconut whipped cream for shortcake.
- Dip apple slices into it.
- Make caramels — by chilling little dollops and rolling them in wax paper.
- For Primal, enjoy it on Pumpkin Bread Pudding.
- Use with Dairy-free Vanilla Custard (Paleo, not AIP)
- Pour over Paleo Pumpkin Pancakes.
- Dip AIP Cookies in.
Garnish:
- Bulletproof Hot Chocolate (includes AIP version)
- Lavender White Hot Chocolate (not AIP)
Use with or swirl into:
For a rich incredible sauce, it’s amazing that Paleo Caramel Sauce takes just 10 minutes to make — and then it’s such a fun embellishment to put any treat over the top.
Can this sauce be used with ice cream
When I think of caramel sauce, I often think of ice cream — and how lovely it is as a topping.
The one thing not to use this caramel sauce for is as a topping for ice cream. It will get firmer if poured on top of something cold, so it won’t stay runny as a topping.
But you can layer it into homemade ice cream; then freeze; then scoop — and you’ll get a gorgeous swirl. (Use a loaf pan to store your freshly made ice cream. Then, layer in ice cream and caramel sauce, alternating.)
Try these Paleo and AIP flavors:
- Vanilla (So, Vanilla-Caramel Swirl Ice Cream!)
- Chocolate (with carob option for AIP) … (Chocolate-Caramel Swirl Ice Cream!)
- Cinnamon (Cinnamon-Caramel Swirl Ice Cream!)
- Cookies and Cream (Cookies and Cream-Caramel Swirl Ice Cream!)
Wow. 🙂
What is the shelf life
We always eat Paleo and AIP Caramel Sauce within 2 days!
I first started making this recipe by luck. I tried the ingredients, and it worked.
Then I cooked with it for a dessert I was making, and the next morning we finished it for breakfast.
So in our house it’s never lasted long enough for me to be sure. My guess is 5 days minimum, but likely longer.
Typically, coconut cream spoils within about a week, but the coconut sugar cooked into it lengthens that, so maybe 2 weeks.
I suggest you eat it quickly and share any leftovers!
Paleo & AIP Caramel Sauce (with Primal variation)
Equipment
- saucepan
Ingredients
- 1 cup coconut cream (For Primal version, use great quality heavy cream)
- ¾ cup coconut sugar
- 2 pinches sea salt
Instructions
- Place coconut cream and coconut sugar in a small saucepan. Turn heat to medium and bring to simmer, stirring to dissolve sugar.
- Once simmering, reduce heat to low and maintain simmer for 8 minutes. Stir occasionally.
- Turn off heat and stir in sea salt.
- Caramel will continue to thicken as it cools. Keep warm if you want it runny. Or refrigerate to make soft, chewy caramels.
Notes
Find coconut sugar here.
Nutrition
Katja Heino says
OOHHHH, this looks so good. And so easy!!
tessadomesticdiva says
Must have this stat!! I am a sucker for caramel…and this one looks delish! I can’t wait to make the mug muffins with it! My family will die for those, so special!!
Melissa Schollaert says
Quit it! This looks divine! (Your caramel-chocolate muffins!)
whatggmaate says
This sounds divine! I didn’t know caramel sauce was this easy to make. I can’t wait to try this out. Plus those mug muffins!!!
Megan says
It really isn’t usually LOL. I’m still amazed myself that this worked!
Renee Kohley says
Ohh I can think of SO many things to put this on! I have made caramel with coconut cream and regular organic cane sugar, but love the coconut sugar idea – and the color it gives is gorgeous!
Megan says
Thanks, Renee! I can’t believe the magic that coconut sugar creates! My husband raised his eyebrows up and down at me when he tasted it, and he’s always honest! He loved it. Pretty cute. I can’t believe how easy and fast it is to make! And the color is almost instant. I have to laugh at how long I used to spend making “real” caramel sauce.
Sara says
The real question is… does it taste like coconut at all?
Irena Macri says
This looks so good, I’d be nearly tempted to put it on my dinner – ha! I love the simplicity of the ingredients and how much it looks like real caramel. Perfect for some homemade paleo apple ice cream, I reckon. Beautiful!
Megan says
Thank you Irena! It would be delicious to swirl the caramel in apple ice cream, seriously yummy!!
ChihYu Smith says
This is amazing! I love how simple it is!
Diane says
Megan, for the coconut cream in the caramel sauce, are you using the solid part of a can of coconut milk (minus the “water”), or is this the dry coconut cream that comes in a jar?
Megan says
Hi Diane, yes, the solid part of a can of coconut milk. 🙂
Annella says
Do you refrigerate the can of coconut cream to separate it from the water first or could this recipe work with the whole contents of the can, including the coconut water?
Megan says
Hi Annella, use just the coconut cream. So if your kitchen/cupboard is on the warmer side, chill the can first. Great question.
Kassia Batista says
Hi Megan, this looks incredibly delicious and fun, as always!! My question is, what is the chocolate topping on the mug cakes that you swirled the caramel into?
Megan says
Hi Kassia, I just added 2 teaspoons cocoa powder to half the caramel to create the swirl. 🙂
Kari says
Wow does this ever look decadent! Love the chocolate cake option too, nothing better than chocolate + caramel!
Darryl says
This caramel sauce looks superb, and I can’t wait to try this mug muffin!!!
Corrie Duffy says
I couldn’t believe that such a delicious dessert could be made so easily until I tried this recipe. The mug cake was delicious as well as healthy. I added some pecans to add crunch. If you are not on the keto diet, I would suggest topping this mug cake with some extra nuts.
Megan says
Thanks Corrie! I’m so glad you loved it and so appreciate your feedback and additions! 🙂
carol says
any chance I could use a thickened creamy oat milk instead of coconut? We’re all AIP but none of us can stand the taste of coconut…not an easy diet.
Megan says
Hi Carol, I haven’t tried that variation so I don’t know. Part of why this recipe works is the cream, and lack of water, so with oat milk, you’ll likely need to simmer a lot longer …
Anna says
It is delicious! But when I chilled it, it started to separate. How do I keep it from separating and get it to chill smoothly?
Thank you.
Anna
Megan says
Hi Anna, I haven’t had that happen, but I think it needs to boil longer to homogenize fully and cook out any water. Also, make sure you’re using coconut cream, not any milk, which has water that will separate.
Hélène says
Is coconut sugar or sucanat needed to make it caramelize? Would brown sugar work for this? I’d be using heavy cream. This would be a gamechanger – if I didn’t have to buy the unaffordable sugars!
Right now, we use an IP recipe (about 4x a yr). U open the can of condensed milk and put parchment n foil over it then put on a rack with the water in bottom. Cook 45 min and stir in some butter and vanilla (at least I add those). It’s ridiculously good if not exactly caramel sauce. Totally unhealthy, yes lol So your recipe seemed a good compromise if doable.
Megan says
Hi Helene, I don’t actually know if brown sugar would work because I haven’t tried it. Sorry! If you try it, let us know.
Melissa says
Hi Megan. I’m 2 months in on an AIP journey and would love to make this yummy carmel sauce. I get so confused on the different coconut products out there. I recently purchased Organic creamed coconut, unsweetened, by the brand Let’s Do Organics. The only ingredient is coconut. It comes in little boxes with a vacuum sealed pouch inside. Can I use this with your recipe? I’m going to try to attach a link here to the product. Any tips or suggestions greatly appreciated. Let’s Do Organic Creamed Coconut, 7 Ounce Box (Pack of 6) https://a.co/d/it6kHzt
Megan says
Hi Melissa, I agree; it IS confusing! Here’s the correct product you’ll need, two cans: https://amzn.to/3wkK4Bq
Sara says
Meagan, if you click the link, it’s solid coconut coconut
Megan says
Thank you, Sara! Here’s the correct product: https://amzn.to/3wkK4Bq (Two of these small cans are needed.)
Robin says
I clicked on the link for this coconut milk and saw that it contains guar gum. Is this allowed on AIP? I’ve been avoiding it on Paleo.
Megan says
Hi Robin, thanks for letting me know. You can’t imagine how many times I change the coconut milk links on my recipes LOL. The products change or become no longer available. As you said: no guar gum. You need a product that separates into cream on the top and coconut water on the bottom, with no guar. Trader Joe’s used to have a good option, so that may be good still, or perhaps you already have a canned coconut milk you like that separates.
Tara says
This recipe is delicious! I cooked it to hardball temp and made candies with course sea salt on top and they turned out so well, I am about ready to make another batch!
Megan says
Great to hear, Tara! Thanks so much for sharing. Yum, yum and so much fun!
Nadia brandt says
This is so simple and taste amazing!!!!!!!!
Do you know how long it will last ?
Megan says
Great, Nadia, thanks so much for sharing! About a week in the fridge, covered.
JS says
Hi there, I just wanted to tell you how great this caramel sauce is. It is super fast and reliable. I made it for my son’s birthday cake, with the AIP vanilla birthday cake recipe, the paleo chocolate ganache and the stiffened whipped cream. Every single recipe came out perfectly. Thanks again for making such reliable recipes. He loved the cake so much. Last year the cake I made for him was not so great, so I was extra grateful that this one was perfect. I will be making all of these recipes again for sure.