Silky, Easy Butterscotch Sauce Recipe for Sweet Drizzling Fun

Whipping up a delectable butterscotch sauce can turn an ordinary dessert into something magical.

Sweet caramel notes mingle with rich butter, creating a luxurious drizzle for ice cream or pastries.

Crafting this sauce requires minimal ingredients and surprisingly little culinary expertise.

Home cooks adore how quickly the mixture comes together in a single pan.

Smooth and velvety, the golden liquid will instantly elevate your favorite treats.

Simple techniques unlock deep, complex flavors that feel professionally crafted.

You’ll want to keep this recipe close for impromptu dessert emergencies.

Drizzle generously and watch everyone’s eyes light up with pure delight.

What Makes Butterscotch Sauce So Versatile

• Butterscotch sauce requires just 15 minutes from start to finish, making it a speedy dessert companion for busy home cooks.
• Only five simple pantry staples create a rich, decadent sauce that transforms ordinary desserts into extraordinary treats without complicated techniques.
• Drizzle over ice cream, pound cake, apple pie, or use as a dipping sauce for fruits, adding luxurious butterscotch warmth to multiple sweet dishes effortlessly.
• No advanced cooking skills needed – anyone can master this foolproof recipe with basic stirring and heat management, guaranteeing delicious results every single time.

Ingredients for Butterscotch Sauce

• Butter: Rich, creamy foundation that provides deep flavor and smooth texture for the sauce.
• Brown Sugar: Delivers signature caramel-like sweetness and deep golden color.
• Heavy Cream: Creates silky, luxurious consistency and balances the sweetness.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor profile and balances the sweetness.

• Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, complex background note and rounded sweetness to the sauce.

• Use unsalted butter for better control of sauce's saltiness.
• Dark brown sugar provides more intense molasses flavor compared to light brown sugar.
• Use pure vanilla extract for best flavor, avoiding artificial substitutes.
• Choose high-fat heavy cream for richer, more stable sauce.

How to Make Butterscotch Sauce in Minutes

Step 1: Prepare Cooking Vessel

Select a medium saucepan with sturdy construction for even heat distribution.

Step 2: Transform Butter

Place butter in the saucepan and melt over medium heat, watching carefully to prevent burning.

Step 3: Create Flavor Base

• Brown sugar
• Heavy cream
• Salt

Stir ingredients continuously until mixture begins to bubble gently.

Step 4: Develop Sauce Consistency

Lower heat to medium-low and allow sauce to simmer slowly.

Stir occasionally to prevent sticking or burning.

Continue cooking for 5-7 minutes until sauce develops a smooth, slightly thickened texture.

Step 5: Enhance with Aromatic Touch

Remove saucepan from heat source.

Pour vanilla extract into the warm mixture.

Stir thoroughly to incorporate delicate vanilla flavor throughout sauce.

Step 6: Rest and Finish

Allow sauce to cool at room temperature.

Sauce will naturally continue thickening during cooling process.

Sauce can be served warm or at room temperature over desserts like ice cream, puddings, or baked goods.

Optional: Store in sealed glass container in refrigerator for up to one week.

Gently reheat before serving if sauce becomes too thick.

Tricks That Perfect Your Butterscotch Sauce

• Prevent Burning: Stir constantly while cooking to avoid scorching the butter and sugar, which can quickly turn bitter and ruin the sauce's delicate flavor.
• Customize Consistency: Adjust the simmering time to control thickness – shorter time creates a thinner sauce, while longer simmering produces a more viscous butterscotch.
• Storage Secrets: Refrigerate leftover sauce in an airtight container for up to two weeks, gently reheating in the microwave or on the stovetop when ready to serve.
• Dairy-Free Swap: Replace heavy cream with full-fat coconut milk for a lactose-free version that maintains the rich, creamy texture of traditional butterscotch sauce.
• Flavor Boosters: Enhance the sauce by adding a pinch of sea salt, a splash of bourbon, or a sprinkle of cinnamon for depth and complexity.

Store and Warm Butterscotch Sauce Like This

• Transfer leftover butterscotch sauce to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
• Gently warm the sauce in a saucepan over low heat, stirring frequently to prevent burning and restore smooth consistency.
• If sauce becomes too thick, whisk in a small amount of cream or milk while reheating to reach desired consistency.
• Before reusing, inspect the sauce for any signs of spoilage like off-smell or mold and discard if necessary.

Sweet Pairings for Butterscotch Sauce

• The rich, caramel-like butterscotch sauce transforms a simple vanilla ice cream into a decadent dessert, creating a perfect balance of sweet and creamy flavors.
• Complement the buttery sauce with a classic warm apple pie, letting the sauce mingle with the flaky crust and tender apple filling for an irresistible combination.
• Select a smooth, aged whiskey to sip alongside the butterscotch sauce, as the spirit's warm notes beautifully enhance the sauce's deep caramel undertones.
• Create a delightful treat by dipping crisp pecan shortbread cookies into the warm butterscotch sauce, offering a satisfying crunch and nutty complement.

Flavor Variations for Butterscotch Sauce

• Dairy-Free Delight: Replace heavy cream with full-fat coconut milk and use vegan butter for a plant-based butterscotch sauce that's creamy and rich.
• Low-Sugar Option: Substitute brown sugar with monk fruit sweetener or erythritol to create a diabetic-friendly sauce with reduced calories and carbohydrates.
• Salted Caramel Spin: Add an extra pinch of sea salt and a tablespoon of bourbon or rum to enhance the depth of flavor and create a more complex butterscotch experience.
• Spiced Butterscotch Drizzle: Incorporate ground cinnamon, nutmeg, or cardamom during the simmering process to infuse warmth and aromatic notes into the traditional butterscotch sauce.

Curious About Butterscotch Sauce? Read Here

• What is butterscotch sauce made of?

Butterscotch sauce is created with simple ingredients: butter, brown sugar, heavy cream, salt, and vanilla extract. These ingredients are cooked together to create a rich, smooth caramel-like sauce.

• How long can I keep butterscotch sauce?

When stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, butterscotch sauce will stay fresh for up to 2 weeks. Just reheat gently before serving to restore its smooth, pourable consistency.

• Is butterscotch sauce the same as caramel sauce?

While similar, butterscotch sauce uses brown sugar and is typically made with more butter, giving it a deeper, more complex flavor compared to traditional caramel sauce which uses white sugar.

• Can I make butterscotch sauce without heavy cream?

While heavy cream provides the best texture and richness, you can substitute with whole milk or half-and-half, though the sauce might be slightly less creamy and rich.

Easy Butterscotch Sauce Recipe

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4.8 from 15 reviews

• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 1 1x

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Description

Sweet butterscotch sauce elevates desserts with rich, caramel-like magic from classic brown sugar and butter. Drizzled over ice cream or baked goods, this simple sauce brings indulgent warmth to your plate.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 cup (200 g) brown sugar (light or dark)
• 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
• ½ cup (1 stick / 115 g) unsalted butter

Flavor Enhancers:

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon salt (or to taste)

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Instructions

1. Position a medium saucepan over medium flame and allow butter to transform into a silky liquid, stirring gently to ensure even melting.
2. Introduce brown sugar, heavy cream, and salt into the melted butter, whisking continuously to create a harmonious blend of ingredients.
3. Elevate the mixture to a gentle, rolling boil, maintaining constant movement with your whisk to prevent any potential scorching or uneven heating.
4. Dial down the heat to a soft simmer, allowing the sauce to develop depth and richness for approximately 5-7 minutes, occasionally stirring to monitor consistency and prevent sticking.
5. Observe the sauce gradually thickening and developing a luxurious, glossy texture during the simmering process.
6. Carefully remove the saucepan from the heat source and infuse the vanilla extract, stirring thoroughly to distribute the aromatic essence throughout the butterscotch sauce.
7. Allow the sauce to rest and cool slightly, understanding that it will continue to consolidate and intensify in thickness as the temperature decreases.
8. Once the sauce reaches a desirable serving temperature, transfer to a suitable container for drizzling over desserts or storing for future culinary adventures.

Notes

• Experiment with different types of butter like salted or European-style for unique flavor depths in your butterscotch sauce.
• Control the sauce’s consistency by adjusting cooking time; shorter simmering creates a thinner sauce, while longer simmering produces a more luxurious, caramel-like texture.
• Enhance the sauce’s complexity by adding a splash of bourbon or dark rum during the final moments of cooking for an adult-friendly twist.
• Store the sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks, gently reheating before serving to restore its smooth, pourable consistency.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1
• Calories: 800
• Sugar: 70 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Fat: 66 g
• Saturated Fat: 40 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 73 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 1 g
• Cholesterol: 200 mg