Easy Butterscotch Sauce Recipe (2024)

This post may contain paid links. If you make a purchase through links on our site, we may earn a commission.

Jump to Recipe Jump to Video

Bring your best homemade desserts to a whole new level of delicious with our easy butterscotch sauce recipe! With just 4 ingredients and 4 minutes of cook time, this will be your new favorite easy gourmet dessert topping. Trust me!

Simple homemade butterscotch sauce made with butter, brown sugar, and cream is the best for topping ice cream, pies, galettes, and even pound cake. It’s so easy to make and delicious!

Easy Butterscotch Sauce Recipe (1)
Jump to:
  • Best Butterscotch Sauce Recipe
  • What is butterscotch?
  • Butterscotch vs. Caramel
  • Butterscotch Ingredients
  • How to Make Butterscotch Sauce
  • Do I need to refrigerate butterscotch syrup?
  • How long will butterscotch sauce keep?
  • Can this dessert sauce be frozen?
  • Uses for Butterscotch Sauce
  • 📋 Recipe
  • 💬 Reviews

Best Butterscotch Sauce Recipe

I first fell in love with butterscotch when my grandma introduced me to hard butterscotch candies as a child. Is it a requirement for all grandparents to have butterscotch candies hidden around their home to bribe grandchildren with? I think so.

Over the years, my obsession with butterscotch caught up with my love for cooking… and I found out how EASY it is to make butterscotch sauce from scratch!

It’s a great way to get your sweet tooth fix. Make this easy butterscotch sauce recipe at home, and you’ll want to top every dessert with it. And I mean EVERY dessert. It only takes 4 minutes and 4 ingredients to make, and it tastes unbelievably good, so why not?

I made this tonight and it’s ahhhmazing!! Fast, easy and incredibly delicious! Thanks so much for the recipe, I’ll never buy the stuff in the jars again! (That was a lot of exclamation points…it’s THAT good!)

Jennifer

What is butterscotch?

To put it simply, butterscotch is a confection you make by melting butter with brown sugar.

Any butterscotch recipe sauce can include extra ingredients, like heavy cream, corn syrup, salt, and more, but the base is always butter and brown sugar.

Butterscotch vs. Caramel

The difference between butterscotch and caramel is that caramel sauce uses granulated sugar while butterscotch sauce uses brown sugar.

Using brown sugar allows for a richer, sweeter flavor than caramel. It’s much like if you use brown sugar in place of granulated sugar when you’re making cookies. The result is gooey and decadent.

Easy Butterscotch Sauce Recipe (2)

In some cases, you can use butterscotch and caramel sauce in place of the other. But once you learn how to make butterscotch sauce as easily as this quick butterscotch sauce recipe, there’s no reason to turn to anything else!

Sorry caramel, but butterscotch sauce will always be my favorite!

Butterscotch Ingredients

  • butter
  • brown sugar
  • heavy cream
  • pinch sea salt

How to Make Butterscotch Sauce

  1. Combine 2 Tbsp. unsalted butter, ⅓ cup light brown sugar, and ⅓ cup heavy cream in a small saucepan over medium-high heat.
  2. Stir until the butter melts and the ingredients fully combine.
  3. Turn the heat down to medium-low and simmer for 4 minutes.
  4. Remove from the heat and add a pinch of sea salt.
Easy Butterscotch Sauce Recipe (3)

Let your homemade butterscotch sauce cool a few minutes before serving, and enjoy!

I tried it! It came out delicious, so easy it is definitely a keeper!

Karen on Pinterest

Do I need to refrigerate butterscotch syrup?

Because our butterscotch recipe includes heavy cream, it should be refrigerated. Store it in an airtight container in the fridge.

Easy Butterscotch Sauce Recipe (4)

When I tell you this is better than the store bought snickers one! Amazing!

Heidi on Pinterest

How long will butterscotch sauce keep?

Store it properly in the fridge, and butterscotch sauce will last up to a month.

But trust me – it won’t last that long! It’s too delicious! When you’re ready to enjoy it, warm it up in a microwave-safe dish.

Easy Butterscotch Sauce Recipe (5)

Can this dessert sauce be frozen?

Yes. You can freeze butterscotch sauce. Here are some tips:

  • TIP #1: The heavy cream in the sauce will expand when frozen, so don’t use a glass container to store it in the freezer.
  • TIP #2: You can’t go from frozen to eating. You’ll need to thaw the sauce first, then reheat it.

Uses for Butterscotch Sauce

This won’t come as any surprise, but I think the best way to use up your butterscotch sauce is in an ice cream sundae.

You can also use it as a topping when decorating cakes or cupcakes. Mix it into a buttercream batter to make butterscotch buttercream, or eat it as is on fresh fruit! Butterscotch sauce is delicious for an apple dump cake, apple crisp, or even caramel apple empanadas, too.

One of my most favorite recipes to make with butterscotch syrup is pumpkin cobbler with spiced butter toffee. It is out-of-this-world delicious, trust me! Or even pumpkin crunch cake. Yum!

I also love it on Banana Bread Waffles and Pumpkin Waffles for brunch!

Easy Butterscotch Sauce Recipe (6)

You can even dip the rim of an apple pie sangria in this butterscotch sauce and boy oh boy, will that sangria taste amazing!

Love making your own sauces at home? We do, too. Try one of our favorite dessert sauces, strawberry sauce, next! It’s amazing in our strawberry swirl cheesecake. And if you love cream cheese, my Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe is a must!

We’d love to know what you think of this butterscotch sauce recipe. Let us know if you try it out in the comments below! You can visit our 📌 on Pinterest too, and leave a comment with a photo of your favorite dessert to eat with this butterscotch sauce.

📋 Recipe

Easy Butterscotch Sauce Recipe (7)

Butterscotch Sauce Recipe

Isabel Laessig

Try homemade butterscotch sauce made with butter, brown sugar, and cream, on your favorite desserts! This butterscotch sauce recipe is simple and delicious.

4.67 from 27 votes

Print Recipe

Prep Time 1 minute min

Cook Time 4 minutes mins

Total Time 5 minutes mins

Course Sauce

Cuisine American

Servings 1 cup

Calories 756 kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 Tbsps.
  • cup
  • cup
  • pinch

Cooking Conversions

See our Cooking Conversions Chart for help converting measurements!

Instructions

  • Combine butter, brown sugar and heavy cream in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir until the butter has melted and the ingredients are fully combined.

  • Turn the heat down to medium-low and simmer for four minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the salt.

  • Let cool before serving.

Video

Notes

TIP:You can freeze this butterscotch sauce recipe to use for later! The heavy cream in the sauce will expand when frozen, so don’t use a glass container to store it in the freezer. Keep in mind, you can’t go from frozen to eating. You’ll need to thaw the sauce first, then reheat it. Enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 756kcalCarbohydrates: 74gProtein: 1gFat: 52gSaturated Fat: 32gCholesterol: 169mgSodium: 53mgPotassium: 157mgSugar: 71gVitamin A: 1875IUCalcium: 113mgIron: 0.5mg

Keyword Butterscotch Sauce, Butterscotch Sauce Recipe, Butterscotch topping, sauce recipe

Did you try this recipe?Tag on social and leave a comment below!

Easy Butterscotch Sauce Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is butterscotch sauce made of? ›

Ingredients for Butterscotch Sauce

A traditional butterscotch sauce recipe requires only three main ingredients: brown sugar, butter, and heavy cream. That's it! We also add in a little vanilla and salt to boost the flavor.

What is the difference between caramel and butterscotch sauce? ›

The difference between butterscotch and caramel is that caramel is made with white granulated sugar and cooked to 340 degrees Fahrenheit, whereas butterscotch is made with brown sugar and cooked to 289 degrees Fahrenheit.

Is butterscotch just vanilla and caramel? ›

What Is Butterscotch? Like caramel, butterscotch is a cooked sugar. The main distinction is that butterscotch is made with brown sugar instead of white sugar. The traditional butterscotch recipe calls for butter to be melted with brown sugar to start.

What is the main ingredient in butterscotch? ›

Butterscotch is a type of confectionery whose primary ingredients are brown sugar and butter. Some recipes include corn syrup, cream, vanilla, and salt. The earliest known recipes, in mid-19th century Yorkshire, used treacle (molasses) in place of, or in addition to, sugar.

Why is my butterscotch sauce runny? ›

Why won't my butterscotch sauce thicken? Once your sauce comes to a bubbling simmer let it cook for 3 full minutes without touching it. If you don't cook the sauce enough it won't thicken. If you cook it for too long, or at a full boil, then it will thicken too much and be more like butterscotch candy.

What makes butterscotch taste like butterscotch? ›

The primary taste of butterscotch comes from its main ingredient, brown sugar, which imparts a deep, caramel-like sweetness. This sweetness is characterised by notes of toffee and a hint of molasses, a complexity due to the molasses content in brown sugar.

Why is my butterscotch sauce grainy? ›

Troubleshooting Butterscotch Sauce

Grainy Texture: If your sauce has a grainy texture, it may be due to the crystallization of the sugar. To prevent this, make sure there are no sugar crystals on the sides of the pan before starting. In addition, avoid stirring the mixture once it begins to boil.

Is brown sugar just white sugar with molasses? ›

Refined brown sugar is simply white sugar with molasses added to it. This means that brown sugar is pure, unrefined sugar and undergoes less processing than white sugar, allowing it to retain some of its molasses content and natural brown color.

Is dulce de leche caramel or butterscotch? ›

While it is often likened to caramel, dulce de leche possesses its own unique flavor profile produced by the Maillard reaction, a chemical reaction and transformation of sugars and proteins via heat. Caramelization does not actually take place when you make dulce de leche.

Why do they call it butterscotch? ›

butterscotch, usually hard candy made by boiling brown sugar and butter and sometimes corn syrup together in water. The derivation of the name is disputed as to whether it denotes the candy's origin in Scotland or an original ingredient of “scotched,” or scorched, butter.

Why does butterscotch taste so good? ›

The original recipes for butterscotch used a similar method of caramelizing sugar, but also added the butter and molasses as essential ingredients. Modern techniques for butterscotch use brown sugar and butter as the foundation for the deliciously distinct flavor.

Why do people love butterscotch? ›

People love butterscotch cakes for a variety of reasons. First and foremost, butterscotch lends a unique flavour profile that strikes a perfect balance between sweetness and a hint of buttery richness. Its smooth and creamy texture complements the cake's moist crumb, creating a delightful contrast.

How to thicken butterscotch? ›

When it comes to making a thick butterscotch sauce, the key to thickening it up is all in the timing. Butterscotch sauce doesn't need much time to thicken when it's cooked at medium heat: only 3 minutes at a simmer. Since it doesn't take much time to cook, keep your eye on the saucepan.

How long does butterscotch sauce last? ›

It can be stored in a jar, in the refrigerator, for up to two weeks. Reheat the butterscotch sauce in a saucepan over low heat. Note: I sometimes use unrefined brown sugar, which can leave undissolved bits of sugar. They don't bother me, but if you wish, you can strain the warm sauce to remove them.

What alcohol is in butterscotch? ›

It's also rather easy to make your own butterscotch schnapps using a brandy or vodka base. This can be done by using butter, brown sugar, and light corn syrup to make a caramel sauce, letting that cool, then adding it to a bottle of liquor. Some recipes add glycerine for smoothness and vanilla extract for extra flavor.

What is the crunchy stuff in butterscotch? ›

What is that crunchy thing in 'ready-made' butterscotch icecreams? Is it caramel-coated cashew/almonds or is it something else? It is not any coated dry fruit but it is hardened sugar,corn syrup along with few other ingredients then dropped with teaspoon to made chocolate chips like candies.

How was butterscotch originally made? ›

The original recipes for butterscotch used a similar method of caramelizing sugar, but also added the butter and molasses as essential ingredients.

Is butterscotch made with alcohol? ›

Alas, it turns out that butterscotch, traditionally a mixture of brown sugar and butter, never did contain Scotch. While there is no definitive etymology of the word, theories range from scotch being a corruption of the word “scorch,” to the possibility that the candy came from Scotland (this one is dubious).

Does butterscotch have scotch in it? ›

No. The "scotch" part of butterscotch refers to the candy being poured out onto a flat surface, then scored (scotched) in a crisscross pattern to make little rectangular or triangular pieces. It's mainly made of brown sugar, butter and/or cream, vanilla, and sometimes a small bit of salt.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Mr. See Jast

Last Updated:

Views: 6520

Rating: 4.4 / 5 (55 voted)

Reviews: 94% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Mr. See Jast

Birthday: 1999-07-30

Address: 8409 Megan Mountain, New Mathew, MT 44997-8193

Phone: +5023589614038

Job: Chief Executive

Hobby: Leather crafting, Flag Football, Candle making, Flying, Poi, Gunsmithing, Swimming

Introduction: My name is Mr. See Jast, I am a open, jolly, gorgeous, courageous, inexpensive, friendly, homely person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.