Easy Caramel Sauce--posted by Joy

I LOVE LOVE LOVE caramel in my coffee. I am also BROKE BROKE BROKE....so am getting more creative in how to save money and still enjoy life's little luxuries. This morning as I was talking myself out of a Dunkin Donuts run I wondered, "How hard can it be to make caramel?" Not hard at all, as it turns out. This recipe is brought to you by: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ree-drummond/easy-caramel-sauce-recipe/index.html

I just made it, so I don't know how it is in coffee, but will post an update once it's cooled enough to try :-) I didn't have half and half so I mixed 1/4 cup heavy cream with 1/4 cup 2% milk. And of course I added just a touch extra vanilla because I love vanilla. So we'll see how it turns out... smelled heavenly as I was making it though! (How could it not? brown sugar, cream, butter, salt and vanilla? Yum!!)

Ingredients

• 1 packed cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup half-and-half
• 4 tablespoons butter
• Pinch salt
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

Directions

Mix the brown sugar, half-and-half, butter and salt in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Cook while whisking gently for 5 to 7 minutes, until it gets thicker. Add the vanilla and cook another minute to thicken further. Turn off the heat, cool slightly and pour the sauce into a jar. Refrigerate until cold.