25 Recipes For National Caramel Day

Rejoice! April 5 is National Caramel Day, and we'd be remiss to let a holiday honoring one of our favorite sweets pass without proper recognition. Caramel is a simple thing in theory. It's made by just melting down some sugar, but different recipes call for the addition of other ingredients that change the consistency of caramel, such as milk, which will add creaminess, and provide a range of caramel varieties you can make. 

No matter what type of caramel you're interested in making, we've got a sweet recipe for you in our roundup of 25 recipes for National Caramel Day. Looking for a fun twist on a classic candy? Check out the 5-ingredient caramel turtles. Need a new ice cream sundae topping? Get ready for sweetness overload with our caramelized bananas. With cakes, ice cream sandwiches, pies, and candies galore, you're sure to find a way to celebrate National Caramel Day in style with one of these delectable recipes.

Recipe developer Jessica Morone says this salted caramel cake features "sweet and salty flavors in a light fluffy cake." Sign us up! Morone walks you through how to prepare the cake itself using her secret ingredient – plain yogurt – and then how to make the caramel sauce you'll drizzle over the top of the baked cake. Morone says to be careful when melting the sugar and suggests a fix to use if your sauce seizes up.

Recipe: Salted Caramel Cake

Imagine: the combination of flaky dough, tart apples, and sweet caramel, all mixed together to form a delectable turnover. Sounds amazing, if you ask us! We enlisted the help of recipe developer Jessica Morone to make these turnovers, perfect for the fall months, or any time of year you're craving something sweet. Morone shows you how to make the turnovers – she uses Granny Smiths for the apples, then drizzles a store-bought caramel sauce over the finished product.

Recipe: Caramel Apple Turnovers

Tiny treats are perfect for a party dessert spread where guests can just grab them and pop them in their mouths easily. Don't be intimidated by the number of steps it takes to make these mini caramel apple streusel cheesecakes; recipe developer Jessica Morone says the recipe is pretty easy to pull off. When finished, you'll have a dessert featuring a crunchy graham cracker crust, cream cheese, apples, and buttery streusel. After the mini cheesecakes bake, drizzle caramel syrup over the tops of them.

Recipe: Mini Caramel Apple Streusel Cheesecake

Recipe developer Susan Olayinka makes these caramelized bananas specifically as an ice cream sundae topping, as she loves the "soft and ... delicious" bananas with caramelized sugar paired with vanilla ice cream. You'll use both brown and white sugar to caramelize the bananas, adding in the fruit after cutting the bananas lengthwise. Add some spices like cinnamon if desired. This recipe is certainly easy to execute and will take you just 15 minutes from start to finish.

Recipe: Easy Caramelized Bananas

Joanna Gaines gained quite a spotlight through the TV show "Fixer Upper" and has put together some delicious and unique recipes along her path to fame. Recipe developer Susan Olayinka replicated Gaines' French toast recipe and added a twist: Nutella! Of course, there's also homemade caramel, mixed here with cornflakes and hazelnuts that eventually adhere to the brioche bread. Once prepped, you'll cook the French toast pieces in a frying pan. This French toast will take about an hour, so be patient! The results are well worth it.

Recipe: Joanna Gaines' French Toast Crunch With A Nutella Twist

You don't have to give up your beloved buttered popcorn to enjoy this sticky-sweet caramel corn as to make it you'll combine buttered popcorn with sweet caramel. Recipe developer Jessica Morone walks you through how to make the caramel sauce that you'll toss the buttered popcorn in. Be sure to start with plain popcorn. You'll spread the popcorn mixed with caramel sauce on a baking sheet before popping it in the oven. Bake then enjoy while watching your favorite movie.

Recipe: Sticky-Sweet Caramel Corn

This pumpkin bread pudding with caramel sauce recipe is perfect to enjoy during the fall when everyone is raving about pumpkin spice, but there's no reason you can't dig into a serving in April if you'd like. After you make the bread pudding with croissants and pumpkin puree, among other ingredients, you'll turn to the caramel sauce complete with bourbon and pecans. Recipe developer Erin Johnson recommends either serving this pumpkin bread pudding on its own or with some vanilla ice cream.

Recipe: Pumpkin Bread Pudding With Caramel Sauce

These cookie bars are easy to make and require only five ingredients: butter, an egg, sweetened condensed milk, caramels, and double chocolate chunk cookie mix. Recipe developer Jessica Morone recommends using the Betty Crocker brand for the latter. After you bake the cookie dough, you'll melt the caramels and spread it across the top, then add some more cookie dough on top and bake again. Let them cool, cut into squares, and serve at a party or save them as a treat for yourself.

Recipe: 5-Ingredient Chocolate Caramel Cookie Bar

You've got a hankering for a good s'more, but chances are, given that it's April and still a bit chilly outside, you don't have access to a campfire. Never fear! These s'mores are baked in the comfort of your own kitchen. You'll of course use graham crackers, marshmallows, and pieces of a chocolate bar for this treat, but recipe developer Jaime Shelbert adds some salt and caramel sauce for extra gooeyness and goodness. We'll have some more, please!

Recipe: Oven-Baked S'mores

Having a good caramel filling recipe in your back pocket is always good, and recipe developer Eric Ngo says you can use this particular caramel filling for "macarons, to flavor your coffee drink, eat it with ice cream, or just eat it by the spoon." Ngo notes this recipe may be a bit tough for beginners at first, but after some practice, you're certain to get the hang of it. Ngo shows you how to combine sugar and honey over medium heat before stirring in cream and butter a bit at a time.

Recipe: Easy Caramel Filling

What's better than a vanilla cake surrounded by Frosted Flakes? Why, one that's also covered in a salted caramel topping, of course! This cake is all about combining textures; there's the fluffy cake, crunchy cereal, and sticky caramel. Plus, the sugary frosting has salted caramel in it, too. Recipe developer Autumn LeAnn shows you how to make the cake batter and frosting, then how to assemble this cake that's as visually appealing as it is tasty. It's sure to impress everyone at a party or get-together.

Recipe: Easy Salted Caramel Vanilla Crunch Cake

We all love a good apple pie, and this fun twist on the classic dessert will only enhance your affinity for apple-based goodies. Recipe developer Carrie Madormo walks you through how to make the crust for these caramel apple pie bars, then how to prepare and cook the apples – Madormo uses Honey Crisps – with granulated sugar, cinnamon, and apple pie spice. After baking the bars, you'll melt down some caramels to drizzle over the top before cutting them into squares.

Recipe: Caramel Apple Pie Bar

Recipe developer Mackenzie Ryan did Starbucks frappuccino lovers everywhere a solid when she thought up this amazing copycat recipe that you can make at home. That's right, you don't have to sit in line in the drive-thru anymore to snag one of your favorite caramel frappuccinos. The secret ingredient is xanthan gum, which Ryan says will help your caramel frappuccino "keep that thick and creamy consistency." Ryan offers suggestions on how to best chill your coffee beforehand and then how to mix all the ingredients in a blender to make this delectable morning beverage.

Recipe: Copycat Starbucks Caramel Frappuccino

There's something about an ice cream sandwich that just hits the spot, especially when it's elaborately constructed and homemade like these sweet treats made from vanilla ice cream, caramel sauce, and Milky Way candy bars all sandwiched between homemade chocolate cookies. Recipe developer Lauren Shumacker shows you how to prepare each element – except the Milky Way bars, of course – from scratch. The whole process will take you about an hour, but you're sure to scarf down these babies in a matter of minutes.

Recipe: Chocolate, Candy, and Caramel Ice Cream Sandwich

Banoffee pie hails from England where it is traditionally made from a combination of bananas and toffee. For this recipe here, however, recipe developer Susan Olayinka has gotten creative and substituted caramel for the toffee. The crust is made from graham crackers and then layered with caramel, sliced bananas, whipped cream, and grated chocolate. After chilling your pie for about two hours, garnish it with more sliced bananas and serve to your party guests or enjoy it on your own.

Recipe: Best Banoffee Pie

Homemade chocolate caramel candy? Sign us up! Recipe developer Kristen Carli breaks down how to make these caramel turtles, first making the caramel sauce from scratch and then assembling the pecans on a baking sheet. You'll pour the caramel sauce over the pecans and then add some melted semi-sweet chocolate – Carli notes dark chocolate or white chocolate will work too. Allow your adorable little "turtles" to set in the fridge for about half an hour, then you're ready to enjoy!

Recipe: 5-Ingredient Caramel Turtles

Let's be honest, caramel sauce is pretty darn tasty, but when you add in the element of pumpkin, it's taken to a whole new level. Recipe developer Susan Olayinka came up with this recipe that combines the best of both worlds mixing caramel sauce with pumpkin puree and some pumpkin spice. It takes just eight minutes to make from start to finish. Olayinka recommends dipping crispy waffles or apples in the pumpkin caramel sauce for a special treat.

Recipe: Simple Pumpkin Caramel Sauce

You'll combine dried cherries and pecans for this bread pudding before baking and drizzling caramel sauce on top. Recipe developer Kate Shungu recommends using French or Italian bread for this bread pudding, cubing it, and being sure to make sure each piece soaks up some of the whole milk you'll pour over the cubes. Shungu notes that with this recipe it's very important to follow the instructions accurately, or the cherry pecan bread pudding won't come out right.

Recipe: Cherry Pecan Bread Pudding

Caramel goodies don't have to be reserved for just dessert; they can be enjoyed for breakfast, too. Recipe developer Jessica Morone is all about sweets for breakfast, that's why she worked to come up with this caramel apple pancake soufflé recipe that's sure to knock your socks off. This dish also looks as pretty as a picture when the Granny Smith apples are coated in a butter and brown sugar mixture and baked up in the pancake soufflé batter.

Recipe: Caramel Apple Pancake Souffle

Okay, we know, we know. Halloween is months away, but that doesn't mean you can't enjoy caramel apples in the spring! Simply switch out the Halloween sprinkles featured in this recipe for some pastel or Easter-inspired sprinkles and you'll be right on trend. Making these caramel apples is simple; you just insert sticks into the tops of the apples and cover the apples with some melted caramel. Roll in your choice of sprinkles, let cool, then enjoy.

Recipe: Halloween Caramel Apples

It's getting to be that time of year again when you make the switch from hot coffee to iced coffee. If you're looking for a way to spice up your regular 'ole iced coffee during the warmer months this year, look no further than this salted caramel iced coffee recipe. Recipe developer Ting Dalton uses brewed coffee – espresso works too if you need a bit more caffeine to make it through your day – milk, caramel syrup, whipped cream, sea salt, and, naturally, ice cubes to whip together what's sure to be your favorite new morning beverage.

Recipe: Salted Caramel Iced Coffee

You'll need quite a few ingredients for this vanilla salted caramel budino, which recipe developer Ting Dalton explains is an Italian custard or pudding. But don't let that deter you from trying out this recipe, which yields delicious results. You'll also need to make a custard, which demands your utmost attention. Once the custard is finished, you'll spoon it into a mini jar and top it with the next layer of the budino: caramel. The top layer is made up of whipped cream with some crushed cookies sprinkled on top.

Recipe: Vanilla Salted Caramel Budino

Making homemade macarons doesn't have to be scary, thanks to this foolproof recipe from recipe developer Melissa Olivieri. Plus, who can resist this salted caramel flavor? Olivieri shares all her tips and tricks for making the perfect macarons – hints: make sure your eggs are at room temperature and your equipment is squeaky clean before you begin. Also, it helps to have your ingredients pre-measured before you begin and to create a mise en place. Once finished, share these macarons with friends at a party or you can even give them out as gifts.

Recipe: Foolproof Salted Caramel Macaron

Recipe developer Jaime Bachtell-Shelbert takes caramel popcorn to the next level by adding dried apple to this awesome recipe. Bachtell-Shelbert shows you how to make a caramel sauce to drizzle over the popcorn using butter, brown sugar, maple syrup, vanilla, and cinnamon, noting that this homemade caramel works better than store-bought versions because it is thinner. After you toss your popcorn in the caramel sauce, you'll transfer it to a baking sheet where you'll add the dried apples. Bake for about 20 minutes, tossing halfway through.

Recipe: Caramel Apple Popcorn

Last but certainly not least, we have a classic homemade caramel sauce recipe for you. Recipe developer Catherine Brookes walks you through each step of preparation from melting the butter and sugar to stirring in the heavy cream and vanilla extract. Be sure to stir frequently to prevent the mixture from sticking to the bottom of the pot and burning. The finished caramel sauce is versatile and can be used with just about any sweet you'd like – we're looking at you, vanilla ice cream – or for any recipe calling for a caramel sauce.

Recipe: Homemade Caramel Sauce