What is Starbucks Dark Caramel Sauce (calories, how to make, what is in a dark caramel sauce + more Information)

If you buy frappuccinos from Starbucks regularly, you have probably consumed some with dark caramel sauce. What is Starbucks dark caramel sauce?

The Starbucks Dark Caramel sauce refers to a rich sauce that combines caramel and is cooked for longer than the regular cream. Some customers get confused about which sauce to add to their Starbucks drinks. I went through this when I was new to Starbucks. The first time I ordered a frappuccino, I did not know which sauce to pick until I got assistance from a customer behind me in the queue.

I started learning more about Starbucks sauces. This compelled me to write a post to help you learn more about the dark caramel sauce. You will learn its calories, ingredients, and even how to make it at home.

Starbucks Dark Caramel Sauce Calories

The calories depend on the number of pumps you order. A single pump of dark caramel sauce has 50 calories. This sauce is also made up of 13 grams of carbs and 7 grams of sugar. On the other hand, two pumps of this sauce contain 100 calories. Note that this sauce does not contain caffeine.

What is in the Starbucks Dark Caramel Sauce (ingredients)?

Starbucks uses different ingredients to make this sauce, such as whipping cream, sugar, salt, and vanilla extract. Apart from the main ingredients in this sauce, it also contains others such as butter, natural flavors, sodium citrate, sunflower lecithin, sodium bicarbonate, and potassium sorbate.

The whipping cream gives this sauce its texture, while the dark caramel gives it a smoky flavor. This sauce is sweet and tastes like burnt sugar. You can order it with different Starbucks drinks, including the caramel ribbon crunch frappuccino, or buy the sauce alone and use it in different drinks at home.

Can you make the Starbucks Dark Caramel Sauce at home?

Yes. If you don’t want to keep on buying dark caramel sauce from Starbucks, you can learn how to make it at home. To make it, you need a cup of sugar, a teaspoon of vanilla extract, a cup of whipping cream, and some salt. This is easy to prepare since you don’t need some fancy ingredients that are hard to find at a grocery store.

Start by cooking the sugar over medium heat. Pour sugar and water into a heavy saucepan and cook it for at least 6 minutes until it caramelizes. Ensure you use a big pot to offer room for bubbling. Water is not a basic necessity for cooking sugar, but it can help control the cooking process and even slow it down.

If you notice the formation of some sugar crystals, you should swirl the mixture to moisten the pan. Watch the sugar closely until it turns into a dark amber color. To achieve a rich flavor of this sauce, ensure you cook the caramel for longer without burning it.

Once this is ready, remove the sugar from the heat, then add whipping cream gradually. You will notice some bubbles. Wait for this to stop, then stir the mixture until you achieve a smooth consistency. Avoid stirring the sauce before adding the whipping cream. Rather than utilizing cold cream, you should use the cream that is at room temperature. Some people also add butter when preparing this sauce. Feel free to add vanilla and salt, then stir.

You can now cook the sauce a bit longer on the stove so that everything comes together and make it creamier. You can cook it for at least 5 to ten minutes. Give the sauce at least 15 minutes before using it on a drink so that it cools, then serve it. The entire preparation takes about 30 minutes.

If you don’t use the entire dark caramel sauce that you have prepared, you can refrigerate the rest for future use. When properly stored, this can last for up to a month. Avoid storing the dark caramel sauce in the refrigerator when it is not cool since the hot sauce can break a glass jar. If you wish to use the remaining dark caramel sauce, you can reheat it before adding it to a drink.

How to order Starbucks Dark Caramel Sauce?

You can order this sauce with different Starbucks drinks either from the store or through the app. If, for instance, you would like to order it through the app, first specify the drink you want, then click on flavors. This will bring you a list that includes dark caramel sauce. Pick the sauce from the list, then choose the Starbucks location near you.

Though Starbucks accompanies this sauce with caramel ribbon crunch frappuccino, feel free to ask for it in other beverages as a topping. You can even specify the number of pumps you want for the dark caramel sauce.

Conclusion

Many Starbucks customers order frappuccinos with dark caramel sauce due to its rich, creamy flavor. What is Starbucks dark caramel sauce? This is a cream sauce that is prepared by cooking sugar until it turns into a dark amber color. A pump of this sauce contains 50 calories, and the ingredients in it include whipping cream, salt, vanilla extract, and sugar. You can either order it from Starbucks or prepare it at home.

FAQ section

Is caramel syrup the same as caramel sauce?

No, they are not the same. Caramel syrup is made up of water and sugar, while caramel sauce is made up of other ingredients such as whipping cream. The cream gives caramel sauce a richer flavor. While this sauce dissolves and mixes well with drinks, caramel syrup forms a layer on the bottom of drinks.

Does Starbucks have dark caramel sauce?

Yes. Most Starbucks stores in the US have this sauce. Feel free to order it with a Starbucks coffee frappuccino.

Does Starbucks dark caramel sauce have caffeine?

No. According to the nutritional Information that Starbucks offers for this sauce, it does not have any caffeine.