The Ultimate Apple Cider Bourbon Caramel Sauce Recipe: Fall Flavors Elevated

Discover a rich and flavorful twist on classic caramel, combining the crisp essence of apple cider with the warmth of bourbon. This homemade caramel sauce is perfect for elevating your favorite fall desserts and beyond.

I’m finally back from vacation, and what a whirlwind it was! Returning home always brings a bittersweet mix of comfort and a profound longing for the adventures just experienced. Our trip to Charleston was nothing short of magical, a true escape that filled both our hearts and our stomachs. Honestly, if we had stayed in that charming South Carolina city any longer, I’m not sure we would have ever wanted to leave. Charleston captivated us with its historic beauty and, more importantly, its incredible culinary scene.

My culinary journey through Charleston was legendary. I literally made it my mission to taste just about everything the city had to offer. Without a doubt, the absolute standout dish for me was the collard greens. You guys, they were beyond top-notch—a creamy, savory, soulful revelation that I savored every single day we were there, no exaggeration. Each bite was a testament to Southern comfort food done right.

My partner, Squirrel, and I packed our days with a ton of fun and memorable activities. We embarked on a delightful horse-drawn carriage ride through the historic streets, soaking in the architectural grandeur and learning fascinating facts from our wonderfully knowledgeable tour guide. But let’s be real, the main event was always the food. Oh, boy, did we eat! We truly indulged, sampling everything from fresh seafood to classic Southern staples. If you’re contemplating a vacation centered around gastronomic delights, Charleston is unequivocally the place to go. Prepare for a true “foodcation” that will leave your taste buds singing!

To fully immerse ourselves in the city’s charm and save on car rental costs, we opted to explore Charleston entirely on foot. While it’s not an overwhelmingly large city, covering it daily on foot certainly provided a fantastic workout, which, let’s face it, was much-needed given the sheer volume of delicious food I consumed. Those picturesque cobblestone streets, however, nearly became my undoing! I must have tripped and almost twisted an ankle on countless occasions. A crucial piece of advice for anyone visiting: do not, under any circumstances, wear heels in Charleston. I packed one pair, and they remained safely stowed away in my luggage for the entire trip. Attempting to navigate those ancient, uneven streets in heels is akin to inviting a visit from disaster. One misstep, and you’re a goner, guaranteed!

I’ll be sharing a more comprehensive visual recap of our incredible Charleston trip, filled with photos and more food anecdotes, next week. So, definitely stay tuned for that installment of our unforgettable foodcation experiences!

This week, however, our attention turns to a topic near and dear to my heart and perfect for the #SundaySupper theme: sauces! There are countless delicious sauces out there, but my all-time favorite has to be caramel. That wonderfully sweet, delightfully sticky, and undeniably gooey concoction, with its signature hint of burnt sugar, elevates just about any sweet treat it graces. It’s truly a magical ingredient.

Feeling inspired to add a creative twist to a beloved classic, I decided to jazz things up a bit and craft an extraordinary apple cider bourbon caramel sauce. I know, right? Bourbon! It’s the secret ingredient that transforms this caramel from delicious to absolutely divine.

In my humble culinary opinion, bourbon possesses an almost magical ability to make everything better. It takes even the most ordinary recipe and infuses it with an incredible depth, complexity, and warmth that is simply unmatched. I adore cooking and baking with it, which is why a good bottle of bourbon is always a staple in my pantry cabinet, ready to transform any dish into something truly special. Its subtle notes of oak and vanilla are perfect complements to both sweet and savory creations.

The addition of fresh apple cider to this homemade caramel sauce introduces a truly delightful sweet tang. This vibrant, fruity note cuts through the richness of the caramel, creating a beautifully balanced flavor profile unlike any other caramel sauce I’ve ever prepared. Then, the bourbon swoops in, adding those glorious hints of oak and vanilla that elevate the entire experience. The resulting combination of crisp apple, sweet caramel, and warm bourbon is utterly decadent and sophisticated. It’s a flavor journey you won’t soon forget.

Imagine this luscious sauce drizzled generously over crisp, fresh apple slices for a simple yet incredibly satisfying sweet treat. But its versatility doesn’t stop there! This apple cider bourbon caramel sauce is also phenomenal over vanilla ice cream, as a topping for pancakes or waffles, stirred into your morning coffee for a special kick, or even as a glaze for pastries. It’s truly a game-changer for any dessert.

You might be surprised to learn that this recipe is hands-down the easiest caramel I’ve ever whipped up in my kitchen. The process begins with a crucial first step: reducing the apple cider. This isn’t just a random instruction; reducing the cider intensifies and concentrates that wonderful, tangy apple flavor. As we always say here on The Messy Baker, concentration equals flavor, and we are absolutely all about maximizing flavor in every dish we create!

Once your apple cider has reduced to a potent quarter-cup, it’s time for the magic of caramelization to begin. Increase the heat slightly, then add the butter, brown sugar, and heavy cream to the saucepan. Stir continuously as the mixture comes to a happy, vigorous boil. It’s important to let this mixture boil steadily for precisely two full minutes, whisking all the while. This ensures the caramel reaches the perfect consistency and develops its rich color. After the two minutes are up, immediately remove the pot from the heat. Now for the star ingredient: the bourbon!

A crucial safety warning here, and one we take very seriously: **DO NOT stir in the alcohol while the pot is still over the heat.** This is a significant no-no and can be extremely dangerous. Alcohol is highly flammable, and adding it to a hot pan over an open flame or burner can cause a dangerous flare-up or, in the worst-case scenario, your house to catch on fire. Always, always, always remove the pot completely from the heat source before incorporating any alcohol into your recipe. Got it? Great! We certainly don’t want anyone blaming The Messy Baker for a house fire because they skipped this vital safety step. So, remember our new motto: “Remove before booze.” It could save you a lot of trouble!

Once the bourbon is safely whisked in, allow the glorious apple cider bourbon caramel sauce to cool completely. As it cools, it will thicken to that perfect, luxurious consistency we all adore. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator, and it will keep beautifully for up to two weeks, ready for all your impromptu dessert cravings.

Prepare yourself, because from this day forward, you’ll want to eat this incredible homemade caramel every single day of your life. It’s truly that good, and you are absolutely welcome for bringing such a delicious creation into your world!

And now, for more incredible inspiration from the #SundaySupper crew, don’t forget to visit these other fantastic saucy recipes:

Savory Sauces

• Port Wine and Fig Sauce from A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
• Jalapeno Cranberry Sauce from Hot Momma’s Kitchen Chaos
• Homemade Steak Sauce from Juanita’s Cocina
• Tomato Kasundi from What Smells So Good?
• Homemade Tartar Sauce from The Foodie Army Wife
• Creamy Dairyfree Mushroom Sauce from The Not So Cheesy Kitchen
• Homemade Teriyaki Sauce from Curious Cuisiniere
• Red Wine Sauce | Molho de Vinho Tinto from Family Foodie
• Guava BBQ Sauce from Basic N Delicious

Pasta Sauces and Pastas with Sauce

• Chardonnay Seafood Sauce (with Linguine) from Country Girl in the Village
• Italian-Style Tomato Sauce from Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
• Homemade Guiltless Alfredo Sauce from Momma’s Meals
• Sicilian Marinara Sauce from Growing Up Gabel
• Basil Pesto from Take A Bite Out of Boca
• Angel Hair Pasta with Neapolitan Sauce from Cookin’ Mimi
• Roasted Vegetable Pasta Sauce from Peanut Butter and Peppers
• Lentil Marinara Pasta Sauce from Alida’s Kitchen
• Lamb Ragout from Maroc Mama
• Black Walnut Kale Pesto with Zucchini Spaghetti from Sue’s Nutrition Buzz
• Amatriciana Sauce from The Weekend Gourmet

Entreés with Sauces

• Chicken Tikka Masala from I Run For Wine
• Pork Tenderloin with Plum Sauce from That Skinny Chick Can Bake
• Garlic Mushrooms In Red Wine Sauce from Kudos Kitchen By Renee
• Jack Daniel’s Honey Barbecue Baked Wings from Chocolate Moosey
• Salmon with Homemade Caper Onion Mayonnaise from Food Lust People Love
• Chicken with Mushroom Demi-Glace from Crazy Foodie Stunts
• Mrs. A’s Skillet Lemon Chicken from Cupcakes & Kale Chips
• Philly Strip Steaks with Provolone Sauce and Caramelized Onions from The Texan New Yorker
• Sweet & Sour Garlic Chicken Wings from Big Bear’s Wife

Sweet Sauces

• Banana Pudding Sauce from Killer Bunnies, Inc
• Raspberry Red Wine Sauce from Treats & Trinkets
• Pumpkin Applesauce from Bobbi’s Kozy Kitchen
• Dark Chocolate Salted Caramel Sauce from Daily Dish Recipes
• Slow Cooker Applesauce from Citronlimette
• Apple Cider Caramel Sauce from The Messy Baker
• Port Wine Cranberry Sauce from Webicurean
• Pumpkin Caramel Sauce from Noshing With The Nolands

Desserts with Sauces

• Sticky Toffee Pudding w/ Toffee Sauce from girlichef
• Salted Bourbon Caramel Sauce (over Chocolate Rosemary Cake) from Gotta Get Baked
• Pear Tatin with Rum Caramel Sauce from Jane’s Adventures in Dinner
• Bananas Foster from MidLife Road Trip
• Baked Espresso Berry Pudding from The Urban Mrs
• Caramel Apple Sheet Cake from Pies and Plots

Join the #SundaySupper conversation on Twitter each Sunday! We tweet throughout the day, sharing delicious recipes and culinary insights from talented food bloggers all over the world. Our vibrant weekly chat officially kicks off at 7:00 pm EST. Be sure to follow the #SundaySupper hashtag and, crucially, remember to include it in all your tweets to actively participate in the lively discussion. For even more fabulous recipes and mouth-watering food photos, don’t forget to check out our #SundaySupper Pinterest board—it’s a treasure trove of culinary inspiration!

Would you like to become a part of the amazing Sunday Supper Movement? It’s incredibly easy and a fantastic way to connect with fellow food enthusiasts and share your passion for cooking. You can sign up and learn more about how to join our welcoming community by simply clicking here → Sunday Supper Movement. We’d love to have you!