Easy Butterscotch Sauce

Easy Butterscotch Sauce is a rich, buttery, and sweet topping made from simple pantry staples. Perfect for drizzling over ice cream, cakes, pies, or even stirring into coffee, this homemade sauce comes together in minutes and adds a warm, caramel-like depth to any dessert.

ingredients

this Recipe

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

unsalted butterbrown sugarsaltheavy creamvanilla extract

directions

In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter.

Stir in brown sugar and salt, and cook for 2–3 minutes, stirring constantly until the mixture thickens slightly and begins to bubble.

Slowly add heavy cream while stirring. Bring to a gentle boil and simmer for 4–5 minutes, stirring frequently.

Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract.

Let cool slightly before serving. Sauce will thicken more as it cools.

Servings and timing

This recipe makes about 1 cup of sauce.
Preparation time: 5 minutes
Cooking time: 8 minutes
Total time: 13 minutes

Variations

Add a splash of bourbon for a boozy twist.

Use dark brown sugar for a deeper molasses flavor.

Stir in a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg for a spiced version.

Make it salted butterscotch by increasing the salt to ½ teaspoon.

storage/reheating

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Reheat in a saucepan over low heat or microwave in short bursts, stirring frequently.
Do not boil when reheating—just warm gently.

FAQs

Can I use milk instead of cream?

You can, but the sauce will be thinner and less rich.

Is this the same as caramel sauce?

No, butterscotch uses brown sugar and has a deeper, buttery flavor.

Can I make it dairy-free?

Use plant-based butter and full-fat coconut cream as substitutes.

Can I freeze it?

Yes, freeze in an airtight container and thaw before reheating gently.

Why is my sauce grainy?

Make sure the sugar is fully dissolved—stir constantly and avoid high heat.

How thick should it be?

It should coat the back of a spoon and thicken more as it cools.

Can I double the recipe?

Absolutely—just use a larger saucepan and extend simmer time slightly.

What’s it best on?

Ice cream, bread pudding, brownies, pancakes, waffles, or stirred into lattes.

Can I can this sauce?

No, this recipe is not suitable for safe canning.

Conclusion

Easy Butterscotch Sauce is a quick and luxurious addition to any dessert, made in minutes with ingredients you likely already have. With its rich, buttery flavor and silky texture, it’s the perfect topping to elevate everything from ice cream to baked goods.

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