Gather all your ingredients and measure them out. This will make the cooking process much smoother.
In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the white sugar and dark corn syrup. Stir to combine.
Continue stirring the sugar mixture until it melts and turns a beautiful golden brown color. Be careful not to let it burn.
Once the sugar has melted, carefully add the unsalted butter and buttermilk. The mixture will bubble vigorously, so stand back and stir continuously until smooth.
After the mixture is smooth, add the baking soda and vanilla. Stir well to combine. The mixture may foam up a bit, which is completely normal.
Lastly, add a pinch of salt to enhance the flavors. Give it one final stir.
Remove the saucepan from heat and let the caramel cool slightly before transferring it to a heatproof container. Allow it to cool completely at room temperature, then refrigerate.
