Step 1

Place all of the ingredients in a 2.5-quart heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil while whisking occasionally.

Step 2

Once boiling, reduce to a simmer while stirring frequently.

Step 3

Depending on how thick you want your caramel to be, cook until the mixture is caramel colored and resembles one of the following states:

Step 4

Cook until the sauce barely coats the back of a spoon and easily drips off. The sauce will be lighter in color. You're aiming for a consistency of coffee syrup, the kind they have at coffee shops.

Step 5

Cook until a medium golden color forms and the sauce coats the back of a spoon without easily dripping off. It should look glassy.

Step 6

For making harder candies and desserts - cook until a darker amber color forms and the caramel pulls away from the sides of the pot when stirred. It should coat the back of a spoon in a thick coat.