homemade salted caramel

This salted caramel has been renamed in my house as crack!  Made simply with high quality ingredients it is the perfect addition to any cake or even to be eaten with a spoon!

2 cups granulated sugar
2 sticks softened unsalted butter
1 cup cream 
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon vanilla

This recipe starts by melting the sugar in a pan over medium heat until its clear and light yellow.  While sugar is melting shake the pan rather than stirring; this will help keep the sugar from forming rocks and burning on the bottom.
Once sugar is melted add softened butter and quickly whisk until combined and becomes dark amber in color *wear an oven mitt while stirring, sometimes the butter splashes up and can burn your hand*.
Remove from heat and add cream, vanilla, and salt. quickly whisk! 
Pour into a mason jar and let cool before sealing and refrigerating.