Sugar Pursuit

menu icon
go to homepage
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Baking basics
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • About
    • Recipes
    • Baking basics
    • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    Home » Frosting and fillings

    Butterscotch sauce

    Published: Aug 19, 2023 by Anna

    • Facebook
    • X
    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video

    This homemade butterscotch sauce recipe offers an incredible caramel flavor and a smooth texture, making it incredibly easy to whip up in no time. Use it as a topping for a variety of desserts, drizzle it over your French toast, or indulge by enjoying it with your morning granola.

    A glass jar filled with butterscotch sauce on a wooden board with silver spoon on it.
    Jump to:
    • Butterscotch sauce vs salted caramel sauce
    • Why you should try this recipe
    • What ingredients you will need
    • What tools you will need
    • Cooking tips
    • Step by step directions
    • Serving options
    • FAQ
    • More recipes you may like
    • Recipe card

    Butterscotch sauce vs salted caramel sauce

    The main difference is the sugar and cooking temperature. The butterscotch sauce uses brown sugar, heated to 115°C (240°F), resulting in a toffee-like taste and a runny texture.

    On the other hand, salted caramel is made with white sugar. The sugar gets heated to 170°C (340°F), then mixed with heavy cream and butter. Once it cools, salted caramel becomes thick with a strong caramel flavor.

    A table listing the differences between butterscotch sauce and salted caramel sauce.

    Why you should try this recipe

    • It takes 10 minutes to make. With minimal effort, you'll have a delicious and easy butterscotch sauce ready to elevate your treats to a whole new level.
    • A versatile sweet condiment. From making Butterscotch cookies to drizzling this sauce over ice cream, dipping pretzels in it, or even spreading it on toast, the possibilities are limited only by your imagination. 

    What ingredients you will need

    • Light brown sugar – You can use dark brown sugar if you want a deeper flavor.
    • Unsalted butter
    • Heavy whipping cream
    • Vanilla extract 
    • Flaky sea salt – Although it’s an optional ingredient, I like to mix some flaky sea salt into my butterscotch sauce.

    What tools you will need

    The most important tool you will need to make this easy butterscotch recipe is a saucepan with a heavy bottom. This type of saucepan helps distribute heat evenly, preventing the sauce from scorching and ensuring a smooth and consistent texture.

    A glass jar filled with butterscotch sauce on a wooden board. A silver spoon is spooning out some sauce from the jar.

    Cooking tips

    • Measure all ingredients using a digital kitchen scale. Using a digital kitchen scale to measure your ingredients ensures accuracy and helps you achieve the perfect balance of flavors and textures.
    • Control the heat. Begin with medium-high heat to melt the butter and sugar, then reduce it to medium to prevent burning while simmering your sauce.
    • No candy thermometer? No problem! You don't need one for this butterscotch sauce. Instead, rely on visual cues and the sauce's texture. It should become smooth, glossy, and coat the back of a spoon in a thick and even layer.

    Step by step directions

    1. In a saucepan, combine the brown sugar, butter, and heavy cream.
    2. Cook over medium-high heat until it starts boiling.
    3. Reduce the heat to maintain an active simmer, and let it cook for about 5 minutes. The mixture should become darker, and the bubbles on the surface should be larger and not burst as quickly as they did initially.
    4. Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract and salt.
    5. Allow the mixture to cool down to room temperature before serving.
    A collage image shows how to make butterscotch sauce in four steps.

    Serving options

    • Ice cream – Drizzle this homemade butterscotch sauce over a scoop of Vanilla bean ice cream, Condensed milk ice cream, or Peanut butter ice cream creating a delightful blend of warm and cold, creamy and silky textures.
    • Brownies – Take these Fudgy brownies to the next level by generously pouring or swirling this decadent butterscotch sauce over the top.
    • Cheesecake – Drizzle this sauce over a slice of San Sebastian cheesecake or Biscoff cheesecake. The sweet butterscotch complements the tangy creaminess of the cheesecake.
    • Pie – Whether it's Homemade apple pie, pecan pie, or Pumpkin pie - a drizzle of butterscotch sauce adds an extra layer of deliciousness.
    A glass jar filled with butterscotch sauce on a wooden board. A spoon with some sauce is lying on the rim of the jar.

    FAQ

    Can butterscotch sauce be frozen?

    You can freeze it in an air-tight container for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before using.

    How to store butterscotch sauce?

    Store it in a clean air-tight jar in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

    More recipes you may like

    Lemon curd

    Salted caramel

    Chocolate ganache

    Raspberry coulis

    Recipe card

    A glass jar filled with butterscotch sauce on a wooden board with silver spoon on it.

    Butterscotch sauce

    This homemade butterscotch sauce recipe offers an incredible caramel flavor and a smooth texture, making it incredibly easy to whip up in no time. Use it as a topping for a variety of desserts, drizzle it over your French toast, or indulge by enjoying it with your morning granola.
    Print Pin Rate
    Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Servings: 30 tablespoons
    Calories: 74kcal
    Author: Anna

    Equipment

    • Digital kitchen scale
    • Saucepan
    • Rubber spatula

    Ingredients

    • 200 g brown sugar
    • 60 g unsalted butter
    • 300 ml heavy cream
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • Flaky sea salt

    Instructions

    • In a saucepan, combine the brown sugar, butter, and heavy cream.
    • Cook over medium-high heat until it starts boiling.
    • Reduce the heat to maintain an active simmer, and let it cook for about 5 minutes. The mixture should become darker, and the bubbles on the surface should be larger and not burst as quickly as they did initially. The ideal temperature for fully cooked butterscotch sauce is 115°C (240°F).
    • Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract and salt.
    • Allow the mixture to cool down to room temperature before serving.

    Video

    Notes

    Store in a clean air-tight jar in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
    Freeze in an air-tight container for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before using.

    Nutrition

    Nutrition Facts
    Butterscotch sauce
    Serving Size
     
    2 tablespoons
    Amount per Serving
    Calories
    74
    % Daily Value*
    Fat
     
    5
    g
    8
    %
    Saturated Fat
     
    3
    g
    19
    %
    Trans Fat
     
    0.1
    g
    Polyunsaturated Fat
     
    0.2
    g
    Monounsaturated Fat
     
    1
    g
    Cholesterol
     
    16
    mg
    5
    %
    Sodium
     
    5
    mg
    0
    %
    Potassium
     
    19
    mg
    1
    %
    Carbohydrates
     
    7
    g
    2
    %
    Sugar
     
    7
    g
    8
    %
    Protein
     
    0.3
    g
    1
    %
    Vitamin A
     
    198
    IU
    4
    %
    Vitamin C
     
    0.1
    mg
    0
    %
    Calcium
     
    13
    mg
    1
    %
    Iron
     
    0.1
    mg
    1
    %
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    Tried this recipe?Mention @sugarpursuit or tag #sugarpursuit!

    More Frosting and fillings recipes

    • A bowl filled with pastry cream. A silver spoon is lying in the bowl.
      Pastry cream (Crème Pâtissière)
    • Almond cream filling in a transparent glass mixing bowl.
      Almond cream
    • A cake decorated with a frosting made with brown butter is served on a wooden cake stand.
      Brown butter frosting
    • A brown butter glaze sits in a white ramekin while a silver spoon scoops some of it out.
      Brown butter glaze

    Leave a comment Cancel reply

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

    Recipe Rating




    Avatar

    Hey there! My name is Anna, and I am here to share with you my sweet and savory baking recipes and show you how to make beautiful cakes.

    More about me →

    Trending recipes

    • Polish cream cake dusted with powdered sugar on a large round plate.
      Karpatka

    • A piece of napoleon cake topped with fresh raspberries and blackberries served on a small round plate, more berries are lying around.
      Napoleon cake

    • Freshly sliced piece of honey cake topped with fresh raspberries on a plate with a silver spoon, more raspberries are lying around.
      Honey cake

    • Two glass ice cream bowl filled with vanilla ice cream.
      Condensed milk ice cream

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Copyright policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2025 Sugar Pursuit