Description
Silky Southern Bourbon Pecan Caramel Sauce blends rich Kentucky whiskey with toasted pecans in a luscious dessert companion. Drizzled over ice cream or baked goods, this sauce brings Southern comfort and spirited elegance to sweet endings you’ll savor.
Ingredients
- 1 cup (200 g / 7 oz) granulated sugar
- ½ cup (120 ml / 4 fl oz) heavy cream
- ¼ cup (60 ml / 2 fl oz) water
- 2 tbsps bourbon
- 2 tbsps unsalted butter
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ cup (60 g / 2 oz) pecans, toasted and chopped
Instructions
- Roasting Pecans: Toast pecans in a preheated 350F (175C) oven for 5-7 minutes until fragrant. Cool completely, then coarsely chop.
- Caramel Base: Combine sugar and water in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir gently until sugar dissolves, then stop stirring and allow mixture to boil undisturbed.
- Caramelization: Monitor the sugar syrup closely, watching for a deep amber transformation without stirring. This process takes approximately 8-10 minutes, requiring careful attention to prevent burning.
- Cream Incorporation: Remove pan from heat and slowly whisk in warmed heavy cream, anticipating intense bubbling during integration.
- Flavor Development: Blend in butter until fully melted, then add bourbon, vanilla extract, and salt. Stir until achieving a smooth, harmonious mixture.
- Pecan Infusion: Fold roasted, chopped pecans throughout the caramel sauce, ensuring even distribution of nutty goodness.
- Serving and Storage: Allow sauce to rest and thicken briefly. Drizzle warm over desired desserts or store in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. Gently reheat before serving.
Notes
Roast Pecans Carefully: Watch closely during roasting to prevent burning, ensuring they release maximum nutty aroma without turning bitter.
Control Caramel Coloration: Monitor sugar transformation vigilantly; even 30 seconds can shift sauce from perfect amber to burnt, ruining entire batch.
Warm Cream Safety: Always heat cream beforehand to prevent aggressive splattering when adding to hot caramel, reducing risk of potential burns.
Store Strategically: Refrigerate sauce in airtight glass container, gently warming with low heat or double boiler method when reusing to maintain smooth, silky texture.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 9
- Calories: 162
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 58 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 24 mg