Nutella Caramel Sauce! Sweet and decadent this sauce is a perfect combination of caramel, chocolate, and hazelnut. A great ice cream topping!
I think, given the opportunity, I would be nocturnal. I am most aware and creative when the sun goes down. When my mind should be winding down from the busy day and slipping into "hibernate" mode, it is usually doing quite the opposite.
Steve, on the other hand, immediately falls asleep once his head hits the pillow. {And most of the time, when his butt hits the couch.} So that means that when we go to bed at the same time, I spend a lot of time staring at the ceiling and thinking about a bajillion different things.
Many times, this is when I get the best ideas for creative projects, recipes, and completely off-the-wall schemes. I try to jot them down, or even type them into my phone so I won't forget {since it's easier than writing in the dark}, but sometimes the things I thought were brilliant the night before seem to lack appeal in the light of day.
This recipe I dreamed up a few nights ago did not fall into the lackluster category the next morning. Oh, no. In fact, it sounded more and more delightful every time it popped into my head.
Caramel Nutella Sauce
Yes, yes, and yes. When I made my Chubby Hubby Bars a few weeks back, I made some homemade Peanut Butter Caramel to spread over the cookie layer, and it got me to thinking... Nutella has a similar texture to peanut butter... why not try the same thing with Nutella? And so I did.
This stuff is super sweet, but makes a fantastic topping for a big scoop {or two} of vanilla ice cream. I'm sure you could also stir it into coffee & make yourself a Nutella Caramel Latte or drizzle it over a slice of pound cake for a dose of decadence.
The recipe makes enough sauce for quite a few servings... and I can't wait to show you what I decided to incorporate it into. It will knock your socks off.
Here are a few tips you might want to read before you make this:
- Do practice safety around scalding hot caramel.
- Do stop to lick Nutella off the spoon.
- Do Not freak out when your pot of molten caramel and cream starts threatening to boil over. {P.S. It is not bluffing.}
- Do Not burn the crap out of your tongue when you lick the spoon. {Use a spoon that you DID NOT just dip into the lava-hot liquid.}
- Do Not eat so much of this while you "taste test" that you make yourself ill.
Follow these simple directions and you will soon find you've whipped up the stuff that dreams are made of.
Nutella Caramel Sauce
Ingredients
- ½ cup half & half
- ¼ cup sugar
- ¼ cup water
- ¾ cup Nutella
- 1 tablespoon corn syrup
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ⅛ teaspoon sea salt
Instructions
- Warm half & half in a microwaveable cup until steaming (30-45 seconds).
- Combine the sugar and water in a small saucepan over high heat and bring to a boil without stirring, until amber brown. (Keep an eye on this, it can burn VERY quickly.)
- Carefully whisk in warm cream until smooth and let cook for 1 minute. The caramel will bubble & rise, so use a big enough saucepan so it does not overflow.
- Remove from the heat and whisk in the Nutella, corn syrup, salt and vanilla extract until smooth. Transfer to a heat safe bowl.
- Allow to cool until thickened, then transfer to jar or container. Once slightly cooled, keep refrigerated.
ashley purdy says
Dianna,
LOVE this idea! Kelly gave me your blog info so now I have a short cut icon to it on my phone. I check it while I'm nursing. You are so creative! I'm excited to keep reading!
Ashley (Franco) 🙂
The Kitchen Prep says
Thank you for reading, Ashley.. I'm so glad you are enjoying it! Hope you & your family are well! 🙂
Anonymous says
Dianna, sorry i'm italian and i don'tknow half&half. What is?
Thanks a lot
Romi
The Kitchen Prep says
Hi Romi! Here is a great answer from David Lebowitz about the fat percentages in half & half: http://www.davidlebovitz.com/2011/11/what-is-half-and-half/
You could always use cream in place of it if you'd like. Thanks for stopping by!