20 Sweet and Decadent Caramel Desserts

Caramel lovers, rejoice! If you’re a fan of salted caramel, we’ve put together a treat-filled list just for you. From decadent desserts to creative twists on classic sweets, these recipes will add a gooey, golden touch to your kitchen adventures. Grab your apron and a sweet tooth—we’re diving headfirst into the wonderful world of caramel!

No-Bake Salted Caramels

Three squares of sea salted caramel candies on a piece of paper. — No-Bake Salted Caramels. Photo credit: Recipes From Leftovers.

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A quick and hassle-free way to enjoy rich, salty-sweet caramel without turning on the oven. This no-bake recipe creates soft, melt-in-your-mouth caramels with just the right touch of sea salt.
Get the Recipe: No-Bake Sea Salted Caramels

Chocolate Caramel Shortbread Bars

These multi-layer bars combine buttery shortbread, gooey caramel, and a topping of rich chocolate for a dessert that’s impossible to resist. A bite of these bars is an explosion of textures and flavors.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Caramel Shortbread Bars

Dairy-Free Caramel Sauce

Small mason jar with homemade caramel sauce in it and a spoon pulling out the caramel with a blue linen behind it. — Dairy-Free Caramel Sauce. Photo credit: Fitasamamabear.

Enjoy all the indulgence of caramel without the dairy! This creamy, flavorful sauce is perfect for topping everything from fruit to pancakes.
Get the Recipe: Dairy-Free Caramel Sauce

Gochujang Caramel Cookies

Push your caramel creations to the edge with these sweet and spicy cookies. The unique addition of Gochujang creates a spicy kick that complements the caramel beautifully.
Get the Recipe: Gochujang Caramel Cookies

Caramel Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies

These thumbprint cookies combine the chewy texture of caramel with a dark chocolate drizzle for a bite-size treat that’ll disappear fast.
Get the Recipe: Caramel Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies

Caramel Swirl Brownies

A plate of chocolate brownies with caramel swirls. — Caramel Swirl Brownies. Photo credit: Trina Krug.

Rich chocolate brownies meet swirls of luscious caramel in this dessert that pairs gooey goodness with fudgy decadence.
Get the Recipe: Caramel Swirl Brownies

Homemade Caramelized Banana Ice Cream

Take your ice cream game up a notch with this caramelized banana-flavored frozen treat. Creamy and sweet, it’s an unforgettable summer dessert.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Caramelized Banana Ice Cream

Salted Caramel S’mores

A person holding a s'mores sandwich. — Salted Caramel S’mores. Photo credit: Downsizing Dinner.

Who needs a campfire when you can make these indulgent salted caramel s’mores at home? With layers of caramel and melted chocolate, they’re a dessert dream come true.
Get the Recipe: Salted Caramel S’mores

Caramel Apple Dump Cake

A bowl of cake with ice cream on top. — Caramel Apple Dump Cake. Photo credit: Little House Big Alaska.

A fuss-free dessert filled with spiced apples and pockets of gooey caramel. It’s baked to golden perfection and is absolutely delightful served warm.
Get the Recipe: Caramel Apple Dump Cake

Salted Caramel Sheet Cake

Soft, moist cake gets a flavor boost from a rich salted caramel glaze covering every square inch. Ideal for sharing at your next get-together!
Get the Recipe: Salted Caramel Sheet Cake

Caramel Apple Cake

Celebrate the flavors of autumn with this caramel-drizzled apple cake. Sweet, spiced, and topped with a luscious caramel drizzle, it’s a crowd pleaser!
Get the Recipe: Caramel Apple Cake

Homemade Caramel Sauce

Keep this versatile homemade caramel sauce on hand to drizzle over desserts, stir into coffee, or even enjoy by the spoonful.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Caramel Sauce

Salted Caramel Brown Butter Snickerdoodles

Two bowls of salted caramel snickerdoodle cookies on a plate with lavender flowers on the table. — Salted Caramel Brown Butter Snickerdoodles. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Brown butter and salted caramel give traditional snickerdoodles a rich, flavorful twist. One bite and you’ll be hooked!
Get the Recipe: Salted Caramel Brown Butter Snickerdoodles

Banana Caramel Cake

Iced banana cake with pecans on top. — Banana Caramel Cake. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

Moist banana cake pairs beautifully with a rich caramel glaze in this layered dessert that’ll have everyone asking for seconds.
Get the Recipe: Banana Caramel Cake

Salted caramel protein shake

Mason jar with caramel protein shake topped with coconut whipped cream, caramel sauce and chocolate chips two red straws in the smoothie and chocolate chips on a cutting board behind it. — Salted caramel protein shake. Photo credit: Fitasamamabear.

A creamy protein-packed shake with the sweet boost of salted caramel flavor. Who says post-workout treats can’t be indulgent?
Get the Recipe: Salted caramel protein shake

Southern Caramel Cake

This classic Southern favorite features layers of moist vanilla cake and a deeply flavorful caramel frosting that feels like home.
Get the Recipe: Southern Caramel Cake

Caramel Apple Popcorn

Crunchy popcorn gets a sweet upgrade with caramel and apples, making it the perfect snack whether you’re on the couch or on the go!
Get the Recipe: Caramel Apple Popcorn

Caramel Apple Cheesecake Brownie

A piece of cake on a blue plate with a fork. — Caramel Apple Cheesecake Brownie. Photo credit: Ginger Casa.

Everything you love about caramel apples and cheesecake in one gooey, decadent brownie. Each bite is a flavor overload worth savoring.
Get the Recipe: Caramel Apple Cheesecake Brownie

Caramel Apple Upside Down Cake

A slice of apple cinnamon coffee cake on a plate. — Caramel Apple Upside Down Cake. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This beautifully baked caramel apple upside down cake flips the classic dessert on its head with layers of gooey caramel and spiced apple.
Get the Recipe: Caramel Apple Upside Down Cake

Mini Caramel Apples

Small in size but big on flavor, these adorable mini caramel apples make for a fun and mess-free way to enjoy fall’s favorite treat.
Get the Recipe: Mini Caramel Apples