Kitchen Divas

  • Recipes
  • About
  • Contact
  • Work With Us
  • Subscribe
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Contact
  • Work With Us
  • Subscribe
    • Bloglovin
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • About
    • Contact
    • Work With Us
    • Subscribe
    • Bloglovin
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×
    Home » Blog » Dessert Recipes

    Caramel Desserts

    Published: Apr 17, 2024 · Modified: May 10, 2024 by Karin and Ken · This post may contain affiliate links. Leave a Comment

    Share
    Pin
    Post
    Email
    Share

    Caramel desserts are always popular with family and friends. Loaded with rich, sweet flavor and a decadent texture, caramel makes the perfect addition to any dessert recipe. This collection of caramel desserts will have your guests begging for more, with a huge variety of sweet treats everyone will love.

    What is Caramel?

    Caramel is a confection made with sugar, butter, and heavy cream or milk. It's cooked slowly until it reaches a rich golden or orange-brown color.

    Caramel is not butterscotch, although they are close cousins. While both are rich, deeply colored sugary confections, caramel is made with white sugar, while butterscotch is made with brown sugar.

    Why Caramel Desserts are so Great

    Caramel is a classic sweet ingredient you'll find in a wide variety of recipes. From coffee to brownies, bars, pies, cakes, cupcakes, and so much more, caramel can and is used in all of them.

    The reason caramel works so well in all kinds of sweet treats is its unique flavor profile. Caramel is made with sugar, butter, and milk, giving it a rich, creamy, luscious texture. The mixture is then cooked over low heat until it thickens and turns a beautiful amber-brown color. This color is the result of the sugars caramelizing, giving it a deep, sweet flavor.

    That's the literal sweet spot, and it's why caramel works so well in all kinds of desserts. That rich, caramelized sugar flavor pairs perfectly with chocolate, peanut butter, fruit, buttery pie crusts - really just about any baked good that you'd ever serve for dessert.

    Why You'll Love These Recipes

    • Caramel is the star of the show for each and every one of these recipes.
    • They're easy to make but hard to stop eating.
    • There's a wide variety of sweets to choose from here, from bars to cupcakes and everything in between.
    • They make the perfect weeknight dessert or addition to any party.

    Caramel Desserts FAQ

    What is caramel?

    Caramel is a sweet confection made by cooking sugar, butter, and cream or milk slowly over low heat until it thickens and turns a deep amber color.

    What's the difference between caramel and butterscotch?

    There's actually only one difference between these very similar confections. Caramel is made with white sugar, while butterscotch is made with brown sugar.

    Are dulce de leche and caramel the same thing?

    No, they're not. While both are thick and sweet, dulce de leche is made with more milk and has a slightly different flavor and texture.

    Are these caramel recipes easy?

    All of these recipes are easy enough that even beginners can make them with no issues.

    What can I serve with these desserts?

    You can pair them with other sweet treats as part of a larger dessert spread. You can also serve them with fresh fruit, a glass of milk, or a cup of coffee or tea.

    Caramel Desserts

    If you love caramel, then these desserts are for you! Over the years, we've added caramel to just about any kind of sweet treat you can think of, and we've collected them all right here for you to enjoy.

    From caramel Chex mix to chocolate cupcakes filled with a caramel center, caramel cookie bars, fudge, and so much more, you'll find something you love in this huge collection of sweet caramel desserts.

    Caramel Cookie Bars
    Cookies and caramel are a match made in heaven, especially in this recipe for Caramel Cookie Bars. The chocolate and caramel center is seriously addictive and pairs so well with the cookie dough's vanilla and brown sugar flavors.
    Get the Recipe
    Caramel cookie bars on the table with rolo candies.
    Chocolate Caramel Cupcakes
    These easy Caramel Chocolate Cupcakes are a chocolate fudge cupcake drenched with caramel sauce and topped with chocolate ganache! It's truly an amazing chocolate fudge cupcake recipe that's perfect to serve for all types of occasions.
    Get the Recipe
    Close up of chocolate caramel cupcake with nuts on dessert tray.
    Gingerbread Cake With Caramel Sauce
    Gingerbread Cake with Caramel Sauce is the best dessert to satisfy cravings and impress guests. Warm spices and rich caramel create a treat hard to resist.
    Get the Recipe
    Closeup of gingerbread cake on white plate with caramel sauce and ice cream.
    Boozy Dirt Cake with Whiskey Caramel Sauce
    Boozy dirt cake with whiskey caramel sauce is a delicious adult version of a classic dessert. Alcohol soaked gummy worms, rich chocolate pudding, whiskey caramel sauce, and classic dirt cake topping come together to create one of the best desserts ever. And it's just for the grownups!
    Get the Recipe
    Three wine glasses full of alcohol soaked gummy worms in dirt with a whiskey caramel sauce.
    Cream Cheese Caramel Apple Dip
    This cream cheese caramel apple cheesecake dip is easy and delicious. This toffee apple dip is the best Heath bar apple dip you'll ever make.
    Get the Recipe
    Fiddle Faddle Recipe
    This Fiddle Faddle Recipe is an easy, sweet, and salty treat. If you love caramel popcorn, you have to try this crunchy snack for your next sweet craving.
    Get the Recipe
    A hand picking up some fiddle faddle from a bowl.
    Butterscotch Caramel Cashew Bars
    These butterscotch caramel cashew bars are loaded with sweet and salty goodness. Everyone always loves them!
    Get the Recipe
    Dulce De Leche Cupcakes (Caramel Cupcakes)
    This dulce de leche cupcakes recipe features a tender, moist cinnamon cupcake and rich, delicious dulce de leche frosting creating the best caramel cupcakes.
    Get the Recipe
    Closeup of a dulce de leche or caramel cupcake on a white counter.
    Caramel Chex Mix
    Caramel Chex Mix is the perfect sweet and salty snack mix that the entire family will love. This crispy dessert will disappear in a blink of an eye.
    Get the Recipe
    Caramel Chex Mix.
    Chocolate Caramel Poke Cake
    If you want an easy dessert recipe, try this Chocolate Caramel Poke Cake. It takes a basic boxed cake mix and turns it into a decadent, showstopping treat!
    Get the Recipe
    Chocolate caramel poke cake with frosting and caramel sauce on a white plate.
    Caramel Brownie Bottom Cheesecake
    Discover the best brownie cheesecake recipe ever! A fudgy brownie crust gets topped with a light cheesecake filling and a decadent salted caramel drizzle!
    Get the Recipe
    A slice of salted caramel brownie cheesecake held in the air.
    Caramel Brownie Trifle
    This Brownie Trifle recipe is a rich and creamy dessert with layers of chocolate brownie, caramel, cheesecake pudding, and more, perfect for any occasion.
    Get the Recipe
    No Bake Cookies with Old Fashioned Oats and Caramel
    Caramel no bake cookies are a winner any time. These easy no bake preacher cookies with old fashioned oats have a caramel twist that everyone loves.
    Get the Recipe
    Caramel Nut Bundt Cake
    This is an easy caramel Bundt cake recipe that's adjustable to be the best caramel apple or salted caramel Bundt cake, with or without nuts.
    Get the Recipe
    Grandma's Old Fashioned Caramel Sticky Buns
    Grandma's Caramel Sticky Buns are old fashioned caramel pecan rolls, with or without nuts, these cinnamon flavored sticky buns are perfect for any occasion!
    Get the Recipe
    Grandma's Caramel Sticky Buns
    Caramel Pecan Cake
    Caramel Pecan Cake includes homemade caramel syrup, caramel frosting and a caramel cake! Covered in pecans or toffee bits this dessert will not disappoint!
    Get the Recipe
    Caramel Pecan Cake
    Chocolate Caramel Marble Fudge
    Chocolate Caramel Marble Fudge is totally easy to make, smooth, creamy and simply irresistible! A little caramel in every chocolatey bite!
    Get the Recipe
    Chocolate Caramel Marble Fudge.
    Caramel Apple Cupcakes
    Caramel Apple Cupcakes are supermoist and so easy! Loaded with apple and caramel flavor throughout, this cupcake will not disappoint!
    Get the Recipe
    Caramel Apple Cupcakes
    Upside Down Apple Cake
    Tender apples, rich caramel, and warm spices come together in this soft, moist, and luxurious apple upside down cake recipe that's a great fall dessert to try!
    Get the Recipe
    A slice of caramel apple upside down cake topped with a scoop of melting vanilla ice cream.
    Caramel Peach Upside Down Cake
    Caramel Peach Upside Down Cake uses fresh, juicy peaches, sliced, covered in a caramel glaze. Served with whipped or ice cream, this dessert is fantastic!
    Get the Recipe
    Caramel Peach Upside Down Cake
    Caramel Pull-Apart Cinnamon Rolls
    Pull-Apart Cinnamon Rolls are soft and full of warm flavors and these caramelize wonderfully in the oven to make the ultimate biscuit treat. They’re easy, too!
    Get the Recipe
    A hand reaching into pull off a piece of pull apart cinnamon rolls.
    Caramel Coffee Cake Muffins
    Caramel Coffee Cake Muffins recipe makes the best, moist, addictive, mini coffee cakes, stuffed with caramel sauce, using oil or applesauce.
    Get the Recipe
    Caramel Coffee Cake Muffins.
    Best Caramel Apple Crisp
    This delicious caramel apple crisp with pecans and raisins is warm and comforting. Made with perfectly cooked tender apples, pecans, raisins, and a crunchy oat topping covered in caramel sauce.  And it's absolutely delicious with or without ice cream!
    Get the Recipe
    A bowl of caramel apple crisp on the table topped with ice cream and more caramel sauce.
    Dulce de Leche Fudge Recipe
    This dulce de leche fudge recipe is rich, creamy, and full of white chocolate and caramel flavor. It's an easy dessert you'll love.
    Get the Recipe

    Try All These Caramel Desserts

    Whether you love bars, cupcakes, fudge, or something else, you're going to find a caramel treat to suit your tastes on this list. Heck, you'll probably find more than one.

    We hope you'll give all of these delicious desserts a try. They're so sweet and decadent. They're also very easy, which means there's no reason not to try them all!

    Share
    Pin
    Post
    Email
    Share

    More Dessert Recipes

    • Popcorn bars in a pan with a spatula holding one up and over the dish.
      Toffee Crunch Popcorn Bars 
    • Lemon Chex Mix
    • Chocolate pudding cake on a stack of plates with ice cream on top.
      Chocolate Pudding Cake
    • A bite of buffalo snake mix held in the air.
      Buffalo Snack Mix

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating





    Welcome!

    We are the kitchen divas: Karin and my partner in life, Ken.

    We have been attached at the heart and hip since the first day we met, and we love to create new dishes to keep things interesting. Variety is definitely the spice of life!

    More about us

    Most Popular Summer Salads!

    • Cucumber and onion salad in vinegar in a bowl.
      Old-Fashioned Cucumbers and Onions in Vinegar
    • Cold asparagus salad on a plate with spoonful held above it.
      Easy Cold Asparagus Salad
    • Mediterranean Tortellini Caprese Salad (Costco Copycat)
    • A bowl of creamy cucumber salad.
      Creamy Cucumber Salad

    More Red, White and Blue Desserts ➡️

    Summer Favorites

    • Grandma's Old Fashioned Fruit Salad
    • A bowl of cheesecake fruit salad with a wooden spoon.
      Cheesecake Fruit Salad
    • Orange fluff salad in a teal colored bowl on a table with marshmallows and mandarin oranges around the bowl.
      Orange Fluff Salad
    • A slice of cherry cream cheese pie on a plate.
      Cherry Cream Cheese Pie (No Bake)

    More Sweet Treats ➡️

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About
    • Privacy Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign up for emails and what's new!

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Work With Us

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2025 Kitchen Divas All Rights Reserved