Caramel Sauce

From Joy of Cooking

• 1 cup sugar
• ¼ cup water
• 8 tbs salted butter, cut into pieces
• ½ cup heavy cream
• 2 tsp vanilla
• pinch of salt

1. Combine sugar and water in small saucepan. Set over medium high heat and swirl gently until sugar is dissolved and sauce is clear. (Never looks clear to me). Do not allow to boil.
2. Increase the heat to high, cover, and boil for 2 minutes, then uncover the saucepan and continue to boil until syrup begins to darken around the edges. Gently swirl until the syrup turns a medium amber and begins to smoke. Remove from heat.
3. Add the butter and gently beat into the syrup.
4. Stir in the heavy cream.
5. If the sauce becomes lumpy, set over a low heat and stir until smooth.
6. Turn off the heat and stir in the vanilla and salt.