A salted caramel crunch to finish doughnuts with sparkle and crunch. Best with Madagascar vanilla (rich, creamy, classic); any pure vanilla works. Makes enough for 12 doughnuts.
Salted Caramel Crunch
Baking
Frostings fillings toppings
Origin: Madagascar
Vanilla: Extract
Easy
A salted caramel crunch to finish doughnuts with sparkle and crunch. Best with Madagascar vanilla (rich, creamy, classic); any pure vanilla works. Makes enough for 12 doughnuts.
Prep
5 min
Cook
10 min
Cool
20 min
Total
35 min
Yield
12 doughnuts
Diet
—
Ingredients
Adjust yield
doughnuts
Ingredient amounts change with yield. Follow the recipe instructions for times, temperatures, and equipment.
- ½ cup (100.0 g)granulated sugar
- 2.0 tbsp (30.0 ml)water
- 1.0 tbsp (14.0 g)unsalted butter
- ½ tsp (2.5 ml)VanillaGoods pure vanilla extract
- ½ tspflaky sea salt
Make it at home
- Must-have HULISEN Round Cutter Set Sharp stainless rounds for doughnuts and holes. View on Amazon › (opens in a new tab)
- Makes it easier Taylor Candy & Deep-Fry Thermometer Clips to the pot so you can watch the sugar or oil climb without guessing. View on Amazon › (opens in a new tab)
- Worth the upgrade Lodge 6-Qt Enameled Dutch Oven Heavy enough to hold an even frying temperature. View on Amazon › (opens in a new tab)
As an Amazon Associate, VanillaGoods earns from qualifying purchases. We only suggest tools that fit this recipe.
Instructions
- Line a baking sheet with parchment. In a small saucepan, cook the sugar and water over medium heat, swirling (not stirring), until deep amber, 6 to 8 minutes.
- Remove from the heat and carefully stir in the butter and vanilla; it will bubble up.
- Pour onto the parchment, tilt into a thin layer, and sprinkle with the flaky salt.
- Cool until hard, about 20 minutes, then crush into small shards. Sprinkle over freshly glazed doughnuts.
Tips
- Hot caramel causes serious burns; work carefully and keep children away.
- Vanilla swap: use vanilla bean paste 1:1 in place of the extract for visible specks, or the seeds of 1 vanilla bean for each tablespoon of extract.
- Best vanilla for this: Madagascar (rich, creamy, classic), or Mexican (spiced, warm, woodsy). Any pure vanilla works.
- Storage: Store airtight with a paper towel for up to 1 week; humidity makes it sticky.
Recipe FAQ
How long does it take to make salted caramel crunch?
Plan on 5 minutes of prep and 10 minutes of cooking, plus 20 minutes to cool. It makes enough for 12 doughnuts.
How should I store salted caramel crunch?
Store airtight with a paper towel for up to 1 week; humidity makes it sticky.
Can I use a different form of vanilla?
use vanilla bean paste 1:1 in place of the extract for visible specks, or the seeds of 1 vanilla bean for each tablespoon of extract.
Estimated · per serving
Nutrition
Per serving = 1 of 12 servings this recipe makes.
41
Calories / serving
0.9g
Fat
8.4g
Carbs
0.0g
Protein
8.4g
Sugar
Whole recipe (12 servings): ~492 cal · 11g fat · 101g carbs · 0g protein · 101g sugar
Estimated values per serving, calculated from standard ingredient data. Not verified Nutrition Facts; actual values vary with brands, measurements, and preparation.
Per serving · 41 calories
What it takes to burn one serving
- Brisk walking 8 min·0.5 mi·~950 steps
- Walking uphill or incline treadmill 6 min·0.3 mi·~600 steps
- Moderate cycling 4 min·0.8 mi
- Swimming laps 6 min
- Jogging 4 min·0.3 mi·~650 steps
- Stair climbing 4 min·~350 steps
- Dancing 7 min
- Bodyweight circuit training 4 min
- Cleaning, errands, or playing with the dog 10 min
Rough estimates for one serving, based on standard MET values at about 155 lb. Your own burn depends on body size, effort, and fitness. Shown for context only — food is not something you have to earn.
Made with VanillaGoods
Recipe Rating
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