An Edible Mosaic™

Everyday Fare With Extraordinary Flair

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • about
    • contact
    • accessibility
    • privacy policy
    • terms and conditions
  • cookbooks
  • recipes
  • explore world cuisine
    • arabic and middle eastern
    • asian
    • british
    • buffalo foods
    • czech
    • dutch
    • ethiopian
    • french
    • german
    • greek
    • indian
    • irish
    • italian
    • jamaican
    • jewish
    • latin
    • polish
    • russian and ukrainian
    • swedish
    • tex mex
    • thai
    • west african
  • web stories
  • my other blog

Home » Type » Desserts » Easy Butterscotch Sauce Recipe – Perfect Every Time!

Easy Butterscotch Sauce Recipe – Perfect Every Time!

July 27, 2022 by Faith Leave a Comment

Jump to Recipe

Homemade Butterscotch Sauce is rich, smooth, and velvety with a buttery brown sugar flavor, hint of vanilla, and touch of salt for balance. It comes together in just 10 minutes from start-to-finish and is better than anything you can buy at the store!

butterscotch sauce drizzling off spoon

I don’t know about you, but I can’t remember the last time I had butterscotch sauce.

Maybe it’s from a bygone era, or maybe it’s just not that popular here. It always seems to take the backseat to its more popular cousin, caramel sauce. But butterscotch is worth revisiting!

The best way I can describe butterscotch sauce is pure decadence.

front view of glass jar of butterscotch

Take 10 minutes to whip up this butterscotch sauce and you’ll start to think of a ton of different ways to use it! Here are a few ideas to get you started:

  • On top of ice cream sundaes – this is a classic for good reason!
  • With sliced apple for dipping
  • Drizzled on yogurt or oatmeal
  • On buttermilk pancakes instead of maple syrup
  • Along with whipped cream as a topping for the best hot chocolate of your life
butterscotch sauce with butterbeer in background

Above: One of my favorite ways to use this sticky-sweet syrup is to make a homemade Butterbeer.

In This Article

  • Why This Recipe Works
  • The Best Easy Butterscotch Sauce Recipe
  • Tips to Prevent Crystallization
  • Butterscotch Sauce FAQs
  • More Sweet Sauces to Make
  • Butterscotch Sauce Recipe

Why This Recipe Works

  • Butterscotch sauce isn’t complicated! At its core, it’s a sauce consisting of butter and brown sugar. For this recipe, we keep the ingredient list and the method simple because it works perfectly.
  • To help prevent crystallization, we add a little bit of cream of tartar! No corn syrup need, this method works like a charm.
  • This sauce keeps well for up to 2 months stored in the fridge. It’s perfect to keep on hand for ice cream night, jazzing up pancakes, or making a fancy hot cocoa.

The Best Easy Butterscotch Sauce Recipe

You are going to love how easy this decadent dessert sauce is to make! And you’re going to find a ton of ways to use it.

Ingredients

ingredients for butterscotch sauce
  • Unsalted butter – if you use salted butter, reduce the salt to 1/8 teaspoon
  • Light brown sugar – adds rich, deep notes of molasses
  • Salt – to balance the sweetness and enhance the flavor
  • Cream of tartar (optional) – this is a failsafe to help prevent your butterscotch from crystalizing! Some people use corn syrup, but instead we use cream of tartar, which is a natural by-product of winemaking. Instead of cream of tartar, you can use another acid; 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice works well
  • Heavy whipping cream – makes the sauce smooth, velvety, and absolutely luscious
  • Vanilla extract – adds a hint of flavor and aroma to make this butterscotch syrup irresistible

Step-by-Step Instructions

how to make butterscotch sauce
  1. Add the butter to a medium-sized saucepan over medium heat. Once melted, stir in the brown sugar, salt, and cream of tartar.
  2. Cook until the sugar is melted and the mixture is boiling, about 1 to 2 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  3. Carefully add the cream (it will bubble up), and stir to combine. Let it boil for about 3 to 5 minutes until it’s thick enough to coat the back of a wooden spoon, stirring occasionally. It should reach 225F on a candy thermometer, but you don’t really need a candy thermometer to make this.
  4. Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla.
  5. The resulting butterscotch syrup is rich, decadent, and delicious!

Storage

Let this cool to room temperature, and then transfer it to a glass container with a lid. Store in the fridge for up to 2 months.

You can reheat this sauce in a double boiler on the stovetop or in 10-second increments in the microwave, stirring between each increment.

overhead view of butterscotch sauce in glass jar

Tips to Prevent Crystallization

Cream of tartar is an acid, and we use it here to help prevent sugar crystallization.

If you don’t have cream of tartar on hand or prefer not to use it, you can omit it and instead use 1/2 teaspoon fresh lemon juice. And if you don’t have fresh lemon juice, this recipe will still work, you just have to be more vigilant.

If you start to see crystallization, add more water. You can brush the sides of the pan with water, or stir a couple tablespoons of water into the sauce. Once the water cooks off, the caramelization process will resume and it should have gotten rid of the crystallization.

Pro Tip: To help prevent crystallization, don’t stir the mixture until it starts to change color.

butterscotch sauce graphic

Butterscotch Sauce FAQs

What is the Difference Between Caramel Sauce and Butterscotch Sauce?

Caramel is made with white sugar and butterscotch is made with brown sugar. They both contain butter, and frequently vanilla and salt.

Why is My Butterscotch Sauce Grainy?

Sugar crystallization can cause butterscotch to be grainy!

In this recipe, adding cream of tartar helps prevent crystallization. Alternatively, instead of cream of tartar you can add 1/2 teaspoon fresh lemon juice.

How Long Does Homemade Butterscotch Sauce Last?

Stored in a covered glass container in the fridge, this will last up to 2 months.

This sauce will thicken after it’s refrigerated. To thin it out, you can reheat it in a double boiler on the stovetop or in 10-second intervals in the microwave.

butterscotch syrup in glass jar

More Sweet Sauces to Make

  • Cherry Sauce – a sweet, richly fruity sauce made from dried cherries
  • Keto Sugar Free Caramel Sauce – perfect if you want a low carb alternative
  • Salted Caramel Sauce – a delicious paleo treat made from coconut milk
butterscotch sauce

Let’s Connect

I love hearing from you!
Did you make this recipe? Please rate it and leave a comment.
You can also tag @anediblemosaic on social media.
To stay up-to-date, follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter!
xoxo, Faith

butterscotch sauce featured image

Butterscotch Sauce Recipe

By: Faith Gorsky
Homemade Butterscotch Sauce is rich, smooth, and velvety with a buttery brown sugar flavor, hint of vanilla, and touch of salt for balance. It comes together in just 10 minutes from start-to-finish and is better than anything you can buy at the store!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 2 mins
Cook Time 8 mins
Other Time 0 mins
Course Dessert
Cuisine British
Servings 9 servings
Calories 152 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1/2 cup light brown sugar lightly packed
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
  • 2/3 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Instructions
 

  • Add the butter to a medium-sized saucepan over medium heat. Once melted, stir in the brown sugar, salt, and cream of tartar. Cook until the sugar is melted and the mixture is boiling, about 1 to 2 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Carefully add the cream (it will bubble up), and stir to combine. Let it boil for about 3 to 5 minutes until it’s thick enough to coat the back of a wooden spoon, stirring occasionally. It should reach 225F on a candy thermometer, but you don’t really need a candy thermometer to make this.
  • Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla.

Faith’s Tips

  • Cream of Tartar: Cream of tartar is an acid, and we use it here to help prevent sugar crystallization. If you don’t have cream of tartar on hand or prefer not to use it, you can omit it and instead use 1/2 teaspoon fresh lemon juice. And if you don’t have fresh lemon juice, this recipe will still work, you just have to be a bit more careful. If you start to see crystallization, add more water. You can brush the sides of the pan with water, or stir a couple tablespoons of water into the sauce. Once the water cooks off, the caramelization process will resume and it should have gotten rid of the crystallization.
  • To Help Prevent Crystallization: Don’t stir the mixture until it start to change color, which means the sugar is starting to caramelize.
  • Recipe Yield and Serving Size: This recipe makes about 18 tablespoons (1 cup + 2 tablespoons) total. Each serving is 2 tablespoons for a total of 9 servings.
  • Storage: Let this cool to room temperature, and then transfer it to a glass container with a lid. Store in the fridge for up to 2 months.
  • To Reheat: You can reheat this sauce in a double boiler on the stovetop or in 10-second increments in the microwave, stirring between each increment.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
Butterscotch Sauce Recipe
Amount Per Serving (2 tablespoons)
Calories 152 Calories from Fat 99
% Daily Value*
Fat 11g17%
Saturated Fat 7g44%
Trans Fat 1g
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g
Monounsaturated Fat 3g
Cholesterol 33mg11%
Sodium 74mg3%
Potassium 49mg1%
Carbohydrates 13g4%
Sugar 12g13%
Protein 1g2%
Vitamin A 415IU8%
Vitamin C 1mg1%
Calcium 23mg2%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Keyword Butterscotch Sauce, Butterscotch Sauce Recipe, Butterscotch Syrup
Tried this recipe?Let me know how it was!
butterscotch sauce recipe pin

Filed Under: British, Desserts, Sauces and Condiments Tagged: Butterscotch Sauce, Butterscotch Sauce Recipe, Butterscotch Syrup

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Hello and welcome to An Edible Mosaic! This is my recipe collection of international favorites and updated American classics with an emphasis on seasonal dishes. Here you’ll find a focus on real foods that sustain body and mind, bring people together, and make a house a home.

 

Affiliate Disclosure

An Edible Mosaic is monetized in part though affiliate links, and as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This means that if you click on an affiliate link and/or purchase an item after clicking on an affiliate link, I may receive a percentage of the sales price. I only recommend products that I love and use. To learn more, please read my Privacy Policy.

meet faith

I’m Faith Gorsky, the writer, cook, and photographer behind An Edible Mosaic. My goal is to inspire you to get in the kitchen and try something new! Feel free to email me with questions or comments.

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

an edible mosaic cookbook

affiliate disclosure

An Edible Mosaic is monetized in part though affiliate links, and as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This means that if you click on an affiliate link and/or purchase an item after clicking on an affiliate link, I may receive a percentage of the sales price. I only recommend products that I love and use. To learn more, please read my Privacy Policy.

Home | About | Accessibility | Privacy Policy | Terms and Conditions | Contact

Copyright © 2023 | Faith Gorsky, An Edible Mosaic™ | All Rights Reserved