Mom's Best Recipes
Recipe

Spiced Simply Recipe

A creamy, warmly spiced sauce you can spoon over pancakes, swirl into yogurt, or drizzle on roasted fruit. Big flavor, low effort, weeknight friendly.

Author By Matt Campbell
4.8
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If you have about 15 minutes, a saucepan, and the ability to stir without getting distracted by your phone, you can make this. Spiced Simply is my go-to “make everything taste like you tried” sauce: luscious, rich, and cozy without being heavy. Think warm cinnamon, a little ginger, a pinch of salt, and a glossy finish that clings to whatever you put it on.

It is basically the grown-up, pantry-friendly answer to, “How do I make breakfast feel special on a Tuesday?” Drizzle it over waffles. Stir it into oatmeal. Brush it on roasted sweet potatoes. Or do what I do and eat a spoonful straight from the jar while pretending you are “checking the seasoning.”

Quick note: keep the heat low once the dairy goes in. That is the whole secret to silky sauce.

Why It Works

  • Butter plus brown sugar equals depth. Letting the sugar fully melt and bubble at the edges gives you caramel vibes without candy thermometer drama.
  • Sweetened condensed milk makes it more forgiving. It brings sweetness and creaminess, but low heat still matters so it stays smooth.
  • Warm spices bloom in fat. Toasting the spices briefly in the butter wakes them up fast, so the flavor hits immediately.
  • A pinch of salt keeps it from tasting flat. This is the difference between “nice” and “pause mid-bite, okay wow.”

Pairs Well With

Storage Tips

Refrigerator: Cool completely, then transfer to a jar or airtight container. Refrigerate for 7 to 10 days. It will thicken when cold. That is normal. If it smells off, shows mold, or has separation that will not whisk back together after reheating, toss it.

Reheat: Warm gently in the microwave in 10 to 15 second bursts, stirring between rounds. Or reheat in a small saucepan over low heat. If it is too thick, loosen with 1 to 2 teaspoons warm water, milk, or cream.

Freezer: You can freeze it for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge, then rewarm slowly and whisk vigorously. Dairy sauces can separate a bit after freezing, but a good whisk usually brings it back. If the texture stays broken, it is still safe to eat, just less silky.

Common Questions

Is this like caramel sauce?

It is caramel-adjacent, but easier and creamier. You get brown sugar richness, plus the condensed milk gives it a smooth, fudge-like vibe without needing precise temperatures.

Can I make it dairy-free?

You can try using a plant-based butter and sweetened condensed coconut milk. The flavor shifts a bit toward coconut, but it is still delicious. Keep the heat low to help prevent splitting.

How do I keep the sauce from getting grainy?

Low heat is the whole trick here. Once the dairy goes in, keep it below an aggressive simmer and stir steadily. Graininess usually comes from overheating or sugar that did not fully dissolve. If it looks grainy, whisk in 1 tablespoon warm water (or warm milk), then keep whisking over very low heat for 1 to 2 minutes. If it is still stubborn, strain it through a fine-mesh sieve.

Is it spicy-spicy?

Nope. The “spiced” here means warm baking spices. If you want a little kick, add a tiny pinch of cayenne or black pepper.

Can I double it?

Absolutely. Use a slightly larger saucepan and keep the simmer gentle. Doubling does not change the method, just the stirring commitment.

What if it is too thin or too thick?

Too thin: Simmer 1 to 2 minutes more, whisking often, until it coats a spoon. It will also thicken as it cools.

Too thick: Whisk in warm cream, milk, or water 1 teaspoon at a time until it loosens up.

This sauce started as a “use what you have” moment. I had pancakes on the griddle, no syrup, and that very specific kind of confidence that makes you say, “I can definitely make something.” Ten minutes later, I had a buttery, spiced, glossy sauce that made the whole kitchen smell like a candle you would actually want to eat. Now I keep a jar of it in the fridge like a little flavor cheat code for busy mornings and lazy desserts.