Decadent Caramel Apple Sauce (Vegan Option)

Somewhere between caramel apple dip and indulgent fruit sauces you have this decadent caramel apple sauce recipe. Once you make it you’ll want to pour it over cheesecakes, stuff into doughnuts, drizzle over cupcake frosting, spread on pancakes, and more. 

Growing up in West Virginia there weren’t many things to do. Every year though there was a small carnival that came to our tiny town. It was there that I discovered my love for caramel apples.  It was one of the few times that we were allowed to get two treats when we went somewhere – caramel apples and cotton candy. Of course, there came a stipulation — you had to eat the actual apple if they were going to buy one. I used to try to figure out how to eat the entire middle of the apple and leave the caramel and nuts until the end. Unfortunately, I was never great at that!

I’ve never outgrown my love of caramel apples. However, as I’ve grown older, I have figured out that my true love is not necessarily with the apples, but with the caramel sauce. Andrew and our girls share this love with me too. I’ll never grown out of my fondness for caramel apples or caramel, but this caramel apple sauce recipe is my current love obsession.

What is caramel apple sauce?

Caramel Apple Sauce is a simple caramel sauce recipe that has been cooked with actual apples and apple pie spice. After cooking down, the apples are mashed into the liquid sauce. You can either leave the tiny bits inside or it can be strained to remove any chunks. The end result is this decadent caramel apple sauce that will leave your mouth watering for more.

What are the ingredients in caramel apple sauce?

While this is a truly decadent caramel apple sauce, it’s an easy caramel sauce. The ingredients include:

• apples
• apple cider
• unsalted butter
• apple pie spice
• brown sugar
• water
• lemons.

It’s proof that you don’t need a ton of fancy ingredients to have a truly remarkable recipe.

Can I make this a vegan caramel apple sauce?

The only ingredients in this recipe that make it not vegan are the butter.  You can simply swap that ingredients with a vegan approved butter (we like Earth Balance Soy free) and proceed with the recipe as called for.

How can you use caramel apple sauce?

Try this amazing caramel apple sauce recipe these these Caramel Apple Cheesecake Baked Apples!

Or spread on this delicious Caramel Apple Cheesecake!

How do you make caramel apple sauce?

5 from 1 vote

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Caramel Apple Sauce

Prep Time

5 mins

Cook Time

20 mins

Total Time

25 mins

 

Somewhere between caramel apple dip and indulgent fruit sauces you have this decadent caramel apple sauce recipe. Once you make it you'll want to pour it over cheesecakes, stuff into doughnuts, drizzle over cupcake frosting, spread on pancakes, and more. 

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: dessert

Servings: 12

Calories: 78 kcal

Author: Larisha Campbell

Ingredients

• 2 fuji apples (or other sweet variety), peeled and diced small
• 1 lemon
• 3/4 cup water, divided
• 1/2 cup apple cider
• 4 tbsp unsalted butter (use vegan or dairy free if needed)
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 tbsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tbsp apple pie spice
• 1/8 tsp nutmeg

Instructions

1. In a bowl, combine the brown sugar, cinnamon, apple pie spice, and nutmeg.  Set aside. 

2. In a bowl, combine the diced apples and juice from one lemon. 

3. In a medium saucepan, add 1/2 cup of water over medium heat. 

4. Once water begins to boil, add apple and lemon mixture. Occasionally stirring. 

5. After about 10 minutes, the water should be almost evaporated and the apples beginning to break down.  Add another 1/4 cup water. 

6. After that 1/4 cup water almost evaporates, add the cider. Stir to combine. 

7. Let cook for two minutes, then add the butter.

8. After butter has melted, add the brown sugar mixture. 

9. Let cook, stirring often, until brown sugar has completely melted and caramel apple sauce is well combined. 

Recipe Notes

If any chunks remain, you can use a masher to make them smaller. 

**Nutritional facts are just estimates. Please utilize your own brand nutritional values to double check against our estimates. 

Nutrition Facts

Caramel Apple Sauce

Amount Per Serving (2 tbsp)

Calories 78 Calories from Fat 27

% Daily Value*

Fat 3g5%

Saturated Fat 2g13%

Cholesterol 10mg3%

Sodium 4mg0%

Potassium 34mg1%

Carbohydrates 11g4%

Sugar 10g11%

Vitamin A 120IU2%

Vitamin C 4.9mg6%

Calcium 19mg2%

Iron 0.2mg1%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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This post was originally published on 3/9/2018. Updated on 4/5/19.

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