Why make this vegan caramel sauce?

A spoonful of warm caramel turns sliced apples, ice cream or a plain cake into dessert. Most dairy-free caramels swap the cream for coconut milk, which is delicious but always tastes a little like coconut. This one uses JOI Cashew Base instead. Cashews are mild and subtly sweet, so the brown sugar and maple stay front and center, and the base gives the sauce a creamy, glossy body. There is no candy thermometer and no risky dry-sugar stage: you simmer brown sugar and maple for a few minutes, then whisk in the cashew base off the heat. Expect a pourable, butterscotch-leaning caramel in about 10 minutes that thickens as it cools. If you love this flavor in your mug, try our salted caramel creamer.

Why this recipe is so easy

• One small saucepan, 10 minutes.

• No thermometer and no melting white sugar.

• No coconut flavor.

Recipe card

• Servings: about 1 cup (16 servings of 1 tbsp)

• Prep time: 2 minutes

• Cook time: 8 minutes

• Total time: 10 minutes, plus cooling

• Category: Dessert, Sauce

• Dietary: vegan and dairy-free by ingredients; gluten-free

• Equipment: small heavy saucepan, whisk, heatproof jar

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar

• 1/3 cup pure maple syrup

• 2 tbsp refined coconut oil or vegan butter (refined coconut oil has no coconut flavor)

• 1/3 cup JOI Cashew Base, used directly (shake well first)

• 3 to 5 tbsp hot water

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• 1/4 to 1/2 tsp fine sea salt (use 1/2 for salted caramel)

Directions

1. Combine brown sugar, maple syrup and coconut oil in a small heavy saucepan over medium heat. Stir until the sugar dissolves and the mixture comes to a boil, about 2 minutes.

2. Lower to a steady simmer and cook 3 to 4 minutes, stirring often, until it bubbles thickly and smells toasty. Do not walk away; sugar mixtures can scorch quickly.

3. Remove the pan from the heat. Squeeze in 1/3 cup Cashew Base and 3 tbsp hot water. The mixture will bubble up, so stand back. Whisk 30 seconds until smooth and glossy.

4. Whisk in vanilla and salt. If it is thicker than you want, whisk in more hot water 1 tbsp at a time.

5. Cool 10 minutes before serving. It thickens as it cools, so warm sauce drizzles and cold sauce spreads.

Why the JOI squeeze bottle works here

Hot sugar does not wait while you scrape a measuring cup. With a squeeze bottle the cashew base goes in quickly and in one stream, off the heat and at arm's length, so you can keep whisking. And once the caramel cools, you can pour it into a clean squeeze bottle for the same neat drizzle.

Customizations and substitutions

• Peanut caramel: use JOI Organic Peanut Base for a Snickers-style sauce, great on our dairy-free vanilla ice cream.

• Spiced: add 1/2 tsp cinnamon and a pinch of nutmeg with the vanilla.

• Coffee caramel: replace the hot water with hot espresso.

• Serving ideas: spoon over grilled peaches, drizzle over cinnamon apple cake, or use as a dip for apple slices.

Common mistakes

• Adding the base over heat: it can scorch. Always take the pan off first.

• Over-boiling in step 2: past 5 minutes the sauce can set hard once cold. If that happens, warm it with 1 to 2 tbsp water.

Storage and reheating

• JOI base: pantry, cool and dark.

• Finished caramel: cool completely, then refrigerate in a sealed jar. Suggested window: up to 1 week (verify in testing; it contains no preservatives).

• Reheat in 10-second bursts in the microwave or in a small pan over low heat, stirring, until pourable.

Frequently asked questions

1. Can you make caramel sauce without coconut milk? Yes. A cashew base gives the creamy body without coconut flavor.

2. Why is my vegan caramel grainy? The sugar was not fully dissolved before simmering. Stir until smooth in step 1 before it boils.

3. How do I make it thicker? Simmer 1 minute longer in step 2, or use less water in step 3.

4. Can I freeze vegan caramel sauce? It is not tested frozen. Keep it in the fridge and make small batches.

Make JOI part of your kitchen

One bottle of JOI Cashew Base makes this caramel, creamy sauces and about 4 quarts of cashew milk. Curious why cashew is the creamiest milk? Read cashew milk benefits.