With just 3 ingredients, this sweet and simple homemade butterscotch sauce is perfect drizzled on ice cream, apple pie, pancakes, cheesecake, iced coffee, and more!
While working on this recipe, I learned the differences between butterscotch and caramel. And those differences amount to only one ingredient. I’ve never thought much about it, but I guess the flavors are fairly similar. They look very similar, but I’ve often found the flavor of butterscotch difficult to describe. You just know it when you taste it. So, I set out to make a caramel sauce; however, I technically made a butterscotch sauce. Either way- sweet, simple, and absolutely delicious!
Butterscotch is considered candy, and making candy can be tricky! There are usually thermometers involved. But, this recipe is super simple and requires no special equipment. Just melting, stirring, and cooling.
Uses for Butterscotch Sauce
- poured over ice cream
- to dip apple slices
- used in any of these recipes
- or enjoyed by the spoonful!
It’s your life. Who am I to tell you how to live it?!?
Ingredients in Simple Homemade Butterscotch Sauce
Brown Sugar
Butter (can use plant based)
Cream (or dairy free coffee creamer)
Optional: Vanilla, Salt
Does butterscotch sauce need to be refrigerated?
Yes! Because of the dairy, once cooled, it should be stored in the refrigerator. If you use dairy free alternatives, I’d still store caramel sauce in the fridge.
Butterscotch v. Caramel
Traditionally, caramel is made by slowly heating white granulated sugar to a certain temperature- 340 degrees. While heating, the sugar is broken down to create a deeper color and rich flavor! Butterscotch uses brown sugar. So, the difference between butterscotch and caramel is molasses.
40 minutes
Simple Homemade Butterscotch Sauce
Ingredients
- 1/2 c. brown sugar
- 2 Tbsp. butter
- 2 Tbsp. milk or cream
- Optional: vanilla
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, whisk the brown sugar and butter over low heat. Once melted, turn off the heat. Next, stir in the milk/cream. Allow to cool. Then, refrigerate for 20+ minutes.