Caramel is one of those magical ingredients that makes everything taste so much better. Whether you’re a fan of desserts, tasty snacks, or even unexpected savory treats, there’s a caramel recipe here with your name on it! From gooey cakes to chewy cookies, I’ve put together some of the tastiest caramel-inspired recipes that are sure to delight your taste buds.

Salted Caramel Sheet Cake

Salted Caramel Sheet Cake. Photo credit: Southern Food and Fun.

Rich, sweet caramel combined with a touch of salt creates a flavor that’s hard to resist. This sheet cake is tender, moist, and topped with an incredible caramel icing. It’s simple to make, so it’s ideal for feeding a crowd at your next gathering. Don’t be surprised if this one gets rave reviews from family and friends!
Get the Recipe: Salted Caramel Sheet Cake

Southern Caramel Cake

Southern Caramel Cake. Photo credit: Southern Food and Fun.

Layers of buttery cake slathered with a thick caramel frosting make this classic Southern dessert unforgettable. It perfectly balances the sweetness of the caramel with a light, fluffy cake base. Whether you’re an experienced baker or a beginner, you’ll enjoy preparing this nostalgic treat. Slice into it and prepare for indulgence with every bite.
Get the Recipe: Southern Caramel Cake

Banana Caramel Cake

Iced banana cake with pecans on top.
Banana Caramel Cake. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

This cake is a beautiful combination of sweet bananas and rich caramel. It’s finished with a silky caramel drizzle that takes the flavor to the next level. The moist cake pairs beautifully with the richness of the caramel, creating a dessert that’s both comforting and luxurious. It’s a must-try for anyone who loves a twist on traditional flavors.
Get the Recipe: Banana Caramel Cake

Caramel Apple Cake

Caramel Apple Cake. Photo credit: Southern Food and Fun.

This dessert combines the warm, cozy flavors of spiced apples and caramel in the most delicious way. The spiced cake is packed with chunks of apple and topped with a luscious caramel glaze. It’s the kind of dessert that makes you want to go back for seconds. Perfect with a cup of tea or coffee!
Get the Recipe: Caramel Apple Cake

Caramel Apple Cheesecake Brownie

A piece of cake on a blue plate with a fork.
Caramel Apple Cheesecake Brownie. Photo credit: Ginger Casa.

Decadent brownies meet creamy cheesecake and caramelized apples for a dessert mash-up like no other. The layers work together to create a rich, fudgy, and tangy treat that’s bursting with flavor. It’s a great dessert to share (or not!). Every bite is an explosion of caramel and chocolate goodness.
Get the Recipe: Caramel Apple Cheesecake Brownie

Caramel Apple Dump Cake

A bowl of cake with ice cream on top.
Caramel Apple Dump Cake. Photo credit: Little House Big Alaska.

For an easy, no-fuss dessert, this dump cake ticks all the boxes. Apples and caramel combine with a buttery, golden topping to create the ultimate comfort food dessert. Serve it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for some serious dessert magic. It’s as easy to make as it is to enjoy!
Get the Recipe: Caramel Apple Dump Cake

Caramel Apple Popcorn

A white bowl with caramel apple popcorn.
Caramel Apple Popcorn. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

Sweet, crunchy, and downright addictive, this caramel apple popcorn is everything you crave in a snack. Each kernel is coated in a caramel glaze that’s boosted with bits of apple flavor. It’s perfect for movie nights or as an afternoon sweet treat. You won’t be able to stop at just one handful!
Get the Recipe: Caramel Apple Popcorn

Caramel Apple Upside Down Cake

A slice of apple cinnamon coffee cake on a plate.
Caramel Apple Upside Down Cake. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

If you love a classic upside-down cake, this version with caramel and apples will quickly become a favorite. Sweet apple slices bake into a sticky caramel sauce on the bottom, creating a truly show-stopping dessert. Flip it over for the big reveal, and bask in the compliments!
Get the Recipe: Caramel Apple Upside Down Cake

Caramel Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies

Overhead image of caramel chocolate thumbprint cookies.
Caramel Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

These buttery cookies feature a rich chocolate base with a gooey caramel filling in the center. They’re small enough to make a perfect bite-sized treat but big on flavor. These cookies are ideal for holiday baking or anytime you want a little caramel indulgence. Pair them with a glass of milk or your favorite coffee.
Get the Recipe: Caramel Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies

Caramel Swirl Brownies

A plate of chocolate brownies with caramel swirls.
Caramel Swirl Brownies. Photo credit: Trina Krug.

Chocolate and caramel come together in these fudgy, decadent brownies. Rich chocolate batter is swirled with a caramel ribbon that adds sweetness and depth of flavor. They’re the ultimate treat for anyone who can’t get enough of this classic flavor combo. Cut them into squares and watch them disappear!
Get the Recipe: Caramel Swirl Brownies

Chocolate Caramel Shortbread Bars

Chocolate Caramel Shortbread Bars. Photo credit: Southern Food and Fun.

These bars start with a buttery shortbread crust, layered with chewy caramel, and topped with a smooth chocolate finish. They’re as beautiful as they are delicious. The combination of textures and flavors makes this treat an instant hit. Perfect for parties or as an everyday indulgence.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Caramel Shortbread Bars

Dairy Free Caramel Protein Shake

Mason jar with caramel protein shake topped with coconut whipped cream, caramel sauce and chocolate chips two red straws in the smoothie and chocolate chips on a cutting board behind it.
Dairy Free Caramel Protein Shake. Photo credit: Fitasamamabear.

Who says caramel can’t be healthy? This dairy-free protein shake is packed with nutrients and flavored with a luxurious hint of caramel. It’s creamy, satisfying, and a fantastic way to fuel your day. Whether post-workout or mid-morning, this is one shake you’ll look forward to.
Get the Recipe: Dairy Free Caramel Protein Shake

Dairy-Free Caramel Sauce

Small mason jar with homemade caramel sauce in it and a spoon pulling out the caramel with a blue linen behind it.
Dairy-Free Caramel Sauce. Photo credit: Fitasamamabear.

Learning how to make your own dairy-free caramel sauce is a game changer! This rich and silky sauce is perfect for drizzling over desserts, stirring into coffee, or just enjoying by the spoonful. It’s incredibly easy to make and gives you all the caramel flavor without the dairy.
Get the Recipe: Dairy-Free Caramel Sauce

Gochujang Caramel Cookies

Image shows a wooden table with gochujang caramel cookies on it.
Gochujang Caramel Cookies. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

Looking for something adventurous? These unique cookies combine the spicy kick of gochujang with the sweetness of caramel for a flavor profile that’s out of this world. If you’re a fan of bold, unexpected flavors, these cookies will keep your taste buds guessing and loving every bite.
Get the Recipe: Gochujang Caramel Cookies

Homemade Caramel Sauce

Homemade Caramel Sauce. Photo credit: Southern Food and Fun.

Once you’ve made homemade caramel sauce, you’ll never go back to store-bought. This recipe is wonderfully rich, creamy, and versatile. Drizzle it over ice cream, pancakes, or even your morning coffee for a sweet treat that’s undeniably satisfying.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Caramel Sauce

Homemade Caramelized Banana Ice Cream

Homemade Caramelized Banana Ice Cream. Photo credit: Southern Food and Fun.

This homemade ice cream stands on its own with caramelized bananas lending a deep, natural sweetness. Combine it with creamy caramel for a truly dreamy dessert experience. Every scoop is bursting with flavor that’ll bring delight to balmy summer evenings.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Caramelized Banana Ice Cream

Mini Caramel Apples

Mini Caramel Apples on a stick and dipped in sugar.
Mini Caramel Apples. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

These fun-sized treats are the cutest take on traditional caramel apples! Each apple is dipped in sticky caramel, making it a great choice for parties or kid-friendly activities. With the perfect balance of tart and sweet, they’re as fun to eat as they are to make.
Get the Recipe: Mini Caramel Apples

No-Bake Seal Salted Caramels

Three squares of sea salted caramel candies on a piece of paper.
No-Bake Seal Salted Caramels. Photo credit: Recipes From Leftovers.

Skip the oven and treat yourself to these no-bake sea salted caramels. They’re chewy, buttery, and finished with a sprinkle of sea salt for the ultimate sweet and salty combo. Make them as a gift or keep them all to yourself.
Get the Recipe: No-Bake Seal Salted Caramels

Salted Caramel Brown Butter Snickerdoodles

Two bowls of salted caramel snickerdoodle cookies on a plate with lavender flowers on the table.
Salted Caramel Brown Butter Snickerdoodles. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

These snickerdoodles take it up a notch with browned butter and a gooey caramel center. The cinnamon-sugar coating ties it all together for a cookie experience like no other. A must-try for snickerdoodle fans looking for something a little extra.
Get the Recipe: Salted Caramel Brown Butter Snickerdoodles

Salted caramel protein shake

Mason jar with caramel protein shake topped with coconut whipped cream, caramel sauce and chocolate chips two red straws in the smoothie and chocolate chips on a cutting board behind it.
Salted caramel protein shake. Photo credit: Fitasamamabear.

Packed with protein and flavored with salted caramel, this shake is a delicious way to kick start your day. It’s creamy, satisfying, and perfect for people on the go. Who knew something this good could be healthy too?
Get the Recipe: Salted caramel protein shake

Salted Caramel S’mores

A person holding a s'mores sandwich.
Salted Caramel S’mores. Photo credit: Downsizing Dinner.

Take your campfire favorite to the next level with salted caramel s’mores. The addition of caramel takes these gooey treats from classic to next-level indulgence. They’re the best way to upgrade your favorite fireside dessert.
Get the Recipe: Salted Caramel S’mores

A woman with shoulder-length blonde hair, wearing a white T-shirt and dark jeans, stands in a kitchen with a brick backsplash and stainless steel appliances. She is smiling and resting her hands on the counter.

About the author

Hi, Iโ€™m Lucy! Iโ€™m a home cook, writer, food and wine fanatic, and recipe developer. Iโ€™ve created and tested hundreds of recipes so that I can bring you the best tried and true favorites.

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