This banana caramel sauce is what happens when you combine the deep, toasty flavor of caramelized sugar with ripe bananas and a splash of warm cream. The result is a creamy, pourable sauce with just enough fruitiness to make it feel fresh, but still indulgent. You start by caramelizing sugar to a light amber, then whisk in pureed bananas followed by warmed heavy cream. The texture is silky and the taste lands somewhere between bananas foster and a classic caramel drizzle.
Why I Made This Fruity Caramel Sauce
This recipe started as a way to top banana cupcakes, inspired by a few leftover bananas and a craving for something different. Once the idea of banana caramel popped into my head, I couldn’t stop thinking about it and I love the process of figuring out a new recipe and getting it just right. After a few tests, I landed on a version that’s creamy, smooth, and full of banana flavor without being overpowering.
My favorite ways to enjoy it? Over chocolate ice cream, or spooned on vanilla ice cream with chunks of dark chocolate. I’ve also swirled it into my ermine frosting for a banana cupcake topping that feels like something you'd get at a bakery.
For more caramel recipes check out my Apple Cider Caramel Sauce made with apple cider and my more traditional Salted Caramel Sauce.
What Makes This Banana Caramel Sauce Different
This isn’t your typical caramel sauce and here’s why it stands out:
- Bananas are pureed, not chopped: Instead of stirring in banana chunks or blending them after cooking, the bananas are pureed before adding to the caramel. This keeps the texture smooth and spoonable.
- Precise temperature guidance: The recipe gives you exact temperature targets (340°F for caramelization, 240°F for post-banana simmer), so you’ll know exactly when to move to each step.
- Heavy cream for a rich finish: A splash of warmed cream is added at the end, giving the sauce a velvety texture and helping it stay smooth in the fridge.
- Balanced sweetness: Because the bananas add natural sweetness, the sauce is rich without being overly sugary.
- Small batch and multi-use: You’ll get just over a cup of sauce, perfect for topping desserts or mixing into frosting, without leftovers lingering for weeks.
Banana Caramel Sauce Ingredients
This sauce has only a few ingredients and is easy to make. I think you'll love the subtle banana flavor and the creamy texture.
Full ingredients, measurements, and instructions are in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
How to Make Banana Caramel Sauce
Step 1: Combine the sugar and water and heat to 340°F. While the sugar is caramelizing puree the bananas.
Step 2: Add the puree banana and stir until incorporated.
Step 3: Cook the caramel until it has darkened in color and reached 240°F.
Step 4: Remove the pan from the heat, add the heavy cream, and whisk until fully incorporated.
Tips for Making Homemade Banana Caramel Sauce
Caramel-making can feel intimidating, but a few careful steps make all the difference:
- Stir gently at the start: When combining sugar and water, stir just enough to blend. Too much stirring or vigorous stirring can cause crystallization if sugar splashes up the sides.
- Don’t stir once boiling: Once it starts to boil, step back and let it do its thing. Stirring at this stage can cause crystals or uneven cooking. Pay attention to caramel and don't walk away.
- Watch for “sugar webbing”: If you see a spiderweb-like formation on the surface, crystallization has started, and you’ll need to start over.
- Use an instant-read thermometer: It takes the guesswork out and helps you learn what caramel should look like at each stage.
- Be ready when it hits 340°F: Caramel can go from perfect to burnt quickly, so don’t walk away during this step.
- Add banana carefully: The mixture will bubble up when you stir in the puree. Whisk quickly and return to heat right away.
- Cook to reduce moisture: Heating the sauce to 240°F helps evaporate excess liquid from the bananas, browns the bananas to a beautiful brown color, and thickens the sauce naturally.
If you make this luscious banana caramel sauce please leave a rating and a comment below.
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Creamy Banana Caramel Sauce (with Real Bananas)
Ingredients
- 1 cup (200 grams) granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) water
- 2/3 cup (150 grams) fresh bananas
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) heavy cream warmed to 80-100°F
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4-1/2 teaspoon Diamond kosher salt
Instructions
- Note: Use an instant-read thermometer to check the temperature of the caramel as it’s cooking. When you become more experienced at making caramel, you’ll be able to make caramel based on color.
- Please the sugar and the water in a 2 or 3-quart saucepan. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium high heat. In the beginning as it’s heating, gently stir the sugar and water together. When the mixture comes to a boil reduce the heat to medium. Cook the sugar mixture until it is a light amber and 340°F.
- While the sugar is coming to temperature place the banana in a mini food processor and process the bananas until they’re smooth. Scrape the bananas into a small bowl and set aside until ready to add to the caramelized sugar. If you don’t have a food processor, use a hand mixer to mix the bananas until they’re smooth.
- Once the caramel reaches the right temperature, remove the pan from the heat, and add the pureed bananas. Quickly whisk the bananas in the caramelized sugar. The mixture will be very light in color, a blond color.
- Return the caramel sauce to the heat and over medium heat and stirring frequently cook the caramel until it reaches a temperature of 240°F. As the caramel cooks it will darken and reduce. The reduction comes from the water evaporating from the banana puree.
- When the caramel reaches 240°F, remove it from the heat, then stir in the heavy cream. The mixture will bubble up. Continue to whisk and once it subsides, add the vanilla extract and 1/4 teaspoon of the kosher salt. If you want the caramel to be a little saltier add the remaining 1/4 teaspoon after tasting the caramel.
Storing the Caramel Sauce
- Pour the caramel into a heat proof glass container that has a lid. Let it cool to room temperature, place the lid on top and store it in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Serving the Caramel Sauce
- This caramel sauce tastes great over ice cream, especially vanilla or chocolate ice cream. You can also combine it with whipped cream.
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