The Best Homemade Caramel Sauce Recipe

Caramel sauce is one of those things that can seem a little intimidating – until you actually try it for the first time. And then as you make it more, you realize it’s actually super easy and quick to make. There are just a few things to keep in mind so that you are successful.

This recipe has been on my site forever and is easily one of the most used and loved recipes. Now, you’ll find step-by-step images that walk you through the process, as well as a video where I walk you through the whole process! What has always been easy is now even easier with all my guidance. And trust me, you want this recipe. It’s always a hit!

And in the interest of serving everyone and having options, I also have my Salted Caramel Sauce and Brown Sugar Caramel Sauce, which are both fabulous and 100% deserve your attention.

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What is Puppy Chow?

Puppy chow, also known as Muddy Buddies, is a fun and easy no-bake treat. Chex rice cereal is the base to this addicting concoction. In the original version, the cereal is coated in chocolate, peanut butter and powdered sugar, but we are going to tweak the ingredients to make it look like dirt and worms! Although this is called “puppy” chow, it’s definitely not for dog consumption.

A Fun and Creepy Halloween Treat

In this version of puppy chow we’ll be using Oreo crumbs and gummy worms to create a tasty snack that’s perfect for Halloween, a birthday party, or even a fun weekday snack for chocolate and gummy worm fans. This recipe only has 4 ingredients and it whips up in a flash. It’s the perfect recipe for a last minute party or movie night with the family when you feel short on time.

With the “dirty” looking Chex and the creepy, colorful worms, this treat is full of fun. You just can’t top the combination of Oreos and gummy worms. It doesn’t take much work on your part to create this tasty treat without the use of your oven. You can even package it in a little box or jar to use as a party favor. Kids (and grown-ups!) will be begging you to feed them more dirt and worms!

Still looking for more dirt and worms inspiration? Try my bite-sized Dirt Cookie Cups or my layered Dirt Cake!

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Thick Bourbon Caramel Sauce

This Bourbon Caramel Sauce Recipe takes salted caramel to the next level! The rich, sweet flavor of classic caramel with just the right amount of cream pairs wonderfully with the sweet woodsy tones of bourbon. One taste of this ultra-thick caramel sauce, and you’ll be craving it’s smooth velvety goodness straight from the jar or drizzled over one of your favorite treats like ice cream or gooey brownies.

Plus, this recipe is so easy to make! I use the wet method for this recipe, as opposed to the dry method used in my Classic Homemade Caramel Sauce. The dry method is a little trickier to get right, but the wet method works beautifully every single time. This is the perfect recipe for learning how to make a caramel dessert sauce. This user-friendly recipe will make you feel like a caramel making pro and prepare you for moving onto more difficult caramel recipes.

More dessert topping recipes you won’t want to miss: Easy Salted Caramel Sauce Recipe, Easy Raspberry Sauce, Easy Homemade Hot Fudge Sauce, Easy Strawberry Sauce and Blueberry Sauce!

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Easy Pumpkin Bread Recipe

When the leaves turn gold and the crisp autumn air sets in, there’s no better way to embrace the spirit of the season than with a freshly baked loaf of pumpkin bread. And this is the best pumpkin bread ever! It’s so moist and tender and delivers the perfect marriage between the subtle sweetness of pumpkin puree and the warm flavors of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. It’s easy to make and will fill your kitchen with the nostalgic scent of the holidays.

I love how beautifully simple this classic pumpkin bread is but, if you’re looking for something a little more “exciting” try my Pecan Praline Pumpkin Bread or this Cheesecake Swirl Pumpkin Bread.

Why You’ll Love This Pumpkin Loaf

You are going to love this homemade pumpkin bread. Everything from the smell to the taste to the texture is divine. Here are some of the reasons I think it’s so special.

• Just. So. Yum. The marriage between the subtly sweet pumpkin and the warm spices is just perfect here. You can taste the spices but they don’t overwhelm the palate. Plus, I used real butter instead of oil, which adds a richness and texture to the bread that is just to die for.
• Smell. I love the way the spices in this loaf light up the kitchen with the smell of autumn as it bakes. I swear you can almost taste how good it is before it even comes out of the oven.
• Wonderfully moist. This pumpkin bread is so moist and tender. It really is a treat to sink your teeth into.
• Super easy. This recipe is super straightforward and doesn’t require any complicated mixing techniques, making it perfect for both experienced and novice bakers.
• An all-day treat. You really can enjoy this moist, flavorful loaf any time of day. Have it as a snack or a dessert. Heck, you could even classify it as a breakfast item in my book.
• Mix-in friendly. While this autumn treat is delightful on its own, you can easily add your favorite mix-ins like chopped nuts, raisins, or chocolate chips to the batter for extra flavor and texture.

What You’ll Need

Here’s what you’ll need to make this easy pumpkin bread. Don’t forget to scroll to the recipe card below for precise measurements.

• All-purpose flour – Be sure to measure it properly, with either a food scale or the spoon and level method. Too much flour can ruin your pumpkin loaf.
• Leavening – The combination of baking soda and baking powder gives you the best rise and texture.
• Spices – Cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves give this pumpkin bread the perfect amount of fall spice!
• Salt – For flavor.
• Unsalted butter – The butter should be softened at room temperature. Otherwise, it won’t cream properly with the sugar and eggs.
• Sugar – I used all white sugar here. Some people will add brown sugar to their pumpkin bread for a slightly deeper, more molasses-y flavor but I don’t think it’s necessary.
• Eggs – Be sure to use large eggs, not medium or extra large.
• Pumpkin puree – I highly recommend canned puree. Also, be sure to use pumpkin puree and not pumpkin pie filling.

How To Make Homemade Pumpkin Bread

Here comes a quick look at how to make homemade pumpkin bread. Be sure to scroll to the recipe card below for more detailed instructions.

• Prep. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease two 9×5 loaf pans with nonstick baking spray.
• Combine the dry ingredients. Whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and spices.
• Combine the wet ingredients. Beat the butter and sugar together and then mix in the eggs, one at a time.

• Cream. Beat the wet ingredients on medium speed until light and fluffy.
• Add the pumpkin. Mix the pumpkin puree with the wet ingredients.
• Put it all together. Mix the dry ingredients with the wet ingredients.

• Bake. Divide the batter between the two loaf pans and bake for 60-70 minutes.
• Cool. Allow the loaves to cool in their pans for a few minutes before turning them out onto a cooling rack to cool completely.

Tips for Success

Here come some tips and tricks that will help you get this easy pumpkin bread recipe right the first time. Happy baking!

• Grease your pans. Not just a little. A lot. You really want to get in there with some non-stick cooking spray as these pumpkin loaves have a tendency to stick to their pans.
• Room temperature butter. Allow the butter to soften at room temperature before using it. Cold (or overly melted butter) will not cream properly with the sugar and eggs. This can give you an overly dense loaf.
• Don’t skimp on cream time. When creaming together the butter, sugar, and eggs, do so until you see that the mixture has significantly lightened in color and has become nice and fluffy. This adds air to the batter, helping to ensure that you don’t end up with an overly dense loaf.
• No over-mixing allowed. Unless you want tough, dense pumpkin bread. Over-mixing after adding the dry ingredients to the batter can cause the glutens in the flour to overdevelop, making the finished product tough and much less pleasant to bite into.
• Remember that baking is a science. In order to get the right texture and rise out of your pumpkin bread, you want to treat this recipe as a high-stakes science project. Measure meticulously (I suggest using a food scale, especially for the flour) and use an oven thermometer to make sure your oven is preheated to the proper temperature.
• Patience. Once you put the bread in the oven, keep the oven door closed. It can be tempting to check on the progress of your loaf but letting cool air in can cause the bread to collapse. So be patient.

Proper Storage

• Counter. Once it has cooled completely, wrap the pumpkin bread tightly in plastic wrap or seal it in an air-tight container. Store it at room temperature for up to 4 days.
• Refrigerator. If you would like to give your pumpkin bread a slightly longer shelf life, allow it to cool completely before wrapping it in plastic wrap or sealing it in an airtight container. Store it in the fridge for up to 1 week. Note that the cool temperatures of the refrigerator might dry the bread out a bit.
• Freezer. Allow the bread to cool to room temperature before wrapping it (either the whole loaf or individual slices) in plastic wrap and then in foil. Pop the bread in a ziplock bag and store it in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before indulging.

More Easy Pumpkin Recipes

Fall is in the air and I am in a pumpkin mood. Here are some of my absolute favorite pumpkin-y recipes for you to try out. Let me know which is your favorite.

• Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bundt Cake
• Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
• Cinnamon Streusel Pumpkin Coffee Cake
• Pumpkin Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting
• Pumpkin Cheesecake
• Classic Pumpkin Pie

See How to Make Pumpkin Bread

Read Transcript

Recipe

Pumpkin Bread Recipe

★★★★★ 5 from 22 reviews

• Author: Lindsay
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Yield: 2 loaves (10-12 slices per loaf)
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Oven
• Cuisine: American

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Description

This Pumpkin Bread recipe is soft, moist and full of flavor with lots of pumpkin and spice! It’s easy to make and made with butter, instead of oil.

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Ingredients

• 3 cups (390g) all purpose flour (measured properly)
• 1 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 3/4 tsp baking powder
• 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1 1/2 tsp ground cloves
• 3/4 tsp salt
• 1 cup (224g) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 3 cups (621g) sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 2 3/4 cups (638g) pumpkin puree (about 1 1/2 cans)

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Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease two 9×5 loaf pans very well with non stick baking spray.
2. In a medium size bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder and spices. Whisk together to combine, then set aside.
3. In a large mixer bowl, combine the butter and sugar and mix just until combined.
4. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing until well combined after each addition.
5. Turn the mixer to medium speed and beat until light and fluffy, 2-3 minutes.
6. Add the pumpkin purée and beat until well combined. The mixture may like a little curled and separated.
7. Add the dry ingredients and mix on low speed just until combined. Do not over mix. If you need to stir it a bit more, use a spatula and do it gently by hand.
8. Divide the batter evenly between the two loaf pans and bake for 60 to 70 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.
9. Remove the loaves from the oven and allow to cool for about 10 minutes and then remove to a cooling rack to cool completely.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 slice
• Calories: 242
• Sugar: 26 g
• Sodium: 163.9 mg
• Fat: 8.6 g
• Carbohydrates: 39.8 g
• Protein: 2.8 g
• Cholesterol: 43.6 mg

Keywords: pumpkin bread, pumpkin loaf, easy pumpkin bread

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Easy Salted Caramel Sauce Recipe

Just hearing the words “salted caramel sauce” makes my mouth water. The rich, sweet flavor of classic caramel with just the right amount of cream marries beautifully with a perfect pop of salt, creating an unforgettable dessert topping. The addicting flavor and the silky smooth, velvety texture of this caramel sauce make it good enough to eat out of the jar, but I suppose you could go a more conventional route and drizzle it over ice cream or a gooey brownie. However you choose to enjoy it, you won’t be sorry. Plus, it’s super easy to make!

This is the perfect recipe for those of you looking to dip your toes into the world of caramel. Other versions, like my Classic Homemade Caramel Sauce, are a little trickier to get right. This recipe, on the other hand, is super user-friendly and will yield fabulous results every time.

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