Sticky Homemade BBQ Sauce

Name: Sticky Homemade BBQ Sauce
Ingredients: 2 cups ketchup (preferably without high fructose corn syrup); 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar (substitute with white vinegar if necessary); 1/3 cup brown sugar (packed, coconut sugar works as an alternative); 1/4 cup molasses (creates that signature sticky texture); 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce; 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard (yellow mustard can work in a pinch); 1 tablespoon liquid smoke (optional, but adds authentic smoky character); 2 teaspoons garlic powder; 2 teaspoons onion powder; 1 teaspoon smoked paprika; 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust according to heat preference); 1/2 teaspoon black pepper (freshly ground); 1 teaspoon salt