Name: Best Homemade Butterscotch Sauce
Prep time: 2 min
Cook time: 8 min
Total time: 10 min
Ingredients: 6 tablespoons heavy cream; ¾ cup dark brown sugar (packed); 4 tablespoons unsalted butter; 1 tablespoon light corn syrup; ½ teaspoon baking soda; ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

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A fun, easy, and flavorful treat, this Butterscotch Sauce is the perfect topping for all your favorite desserts! It’s a family hit; there’s no need to buy at stores when you can make it at home.

Butterscotch Sauce in clear jar with white linen.

I love making things that I can regularly buy at stores at home, and this Butterscotch Sauce is one of them. It is super simple, uses easy-to-find ingredients, and tastes amazing.

I always think homemade tastes better than store-bought, and with this recipe, you really cannot go wrong! We absolutely love it, and if I could eat it with a shovel, I would.

I mean, who doesn’t love a good butterscotch recipe? Especially when it’s an easy recipe like this one. The easy way is usually the best way when cooking.

I’m a huge ice cream fan, so this is my number one best friend, but the possibilities are literally endless. As I said, you can serve it over any of your favorite desserts.

You can even use this in baking! Swirl it into some blondies, bars, or brownies. Layer it between cake layers. Drizzle it over cupcakes. There is just so much you can do.

In the end, you get a silky smooth sauce that will get you a five-star rating with any crowd. I pretty much keep a mason jar of this stuff on hand all the time.

With a rich flavor, this Butterscotch Sauce does not disappoint in the slightest! It comes together in about 10 minutes, so you really cannot go wrong with this recipe at all!

Some of my other favorite condiments we have on our site include: Cinnamon Buttermilk Caramel Sauce, Whole Berry Raspberry Curd and Strawberry Honey Butter.

Spoon drizzling some Butterscotch Sauce in jar.

WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS:

Easy and common ingredients make it quick to make.
It comes together in 10 minutes. Less time than most desserts!
You can use it for so many different things. It’s one of my favorite ways to enjoy ice cream!

INGREDIENTS NEEDED (SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST FOR THE FULL RECIPE CARD):

Heavy cream
Dark brown sugar
Unsalted butter
Light corn syrup
Baking soda
Fine sea salt
Pure vanilla extract

Ingredients needed to make Butterscotch Sauce.

HOW TO MAKE BUTTERSCOTCH SAUCE:

In a medium-sized saucepot, place the heavy cream, dark brown sugar, butter, corn syrup, baking soda, and salt.
Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring until everything is melted and combined. Once at a boil, reduce the heat to low.
Simmer for 8 minutes, stirring occasionally. Be sure to keep an eye on it so it doesn’t boil over.
Take off the heat and whisk in the vanilla.
Let the creamy sauce cool slightly and serve.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS RECIPE:

I DON’T LIKE MY SAUCES RUNNY, DOES THIS THICKEN?

Yes! This will thicken the longer it cools.

Anything that is heated like this will start off runny but then will thicken once it sits.

If it gets too thick, you can just reheat it in the microwave.

WHAT IS THIS USED ON/IN?

This can be used on or in so many different things.

As stated above, we love using this over a scoop of ice cream, banana split, or pie slices baked into brownies, bars, or blondies.

This can be used as a dip for fruit as well, that is something that we often do when making this sauce also.

Real butterscotch is the way to go!

SOME OF MY OTHER FAVORITE SAUCES:

I’m a sauce fiend, so we love making and trying so many different homemade sauces, some of my other favorite sauces include:

Overhead of Butterscotch Sauce in clear jar.

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ANY ADDITIONS?

Try mixing some chocolate sauce in! It’s a super tasty variation.

That rich, buttery flavor is hard to beat.

A splash of bourbon: For a more intense flavor.
Chopped pecans: Add for a crunchy texture.
Sea salt flakes: Sprinkle on top for a salted butterscotch variation.
Cinnamon: A pinch for a warm spice note.
Maple syrup: Replace some of the corn syrup for a unique twist.
Peanut butter: Stir in a spoonful for a nutty flavor.
Flaky sea salt: Elevate your sauce even more.
Cocoa powder: For a hint of chocolate.
Pumpkin spice: Perfect for a holiday season variation.
Toffee bits: Stir in for an extra crunchy texture just before serving.

ANY SUBSTITUTIONS?

Butterscotch is a flavor from a bygone era.

This golden brown sauce has been around for ages.

Here are some subs for your personal preference.

Light brown sugar: Can be used instead of dark brown sugar for a milder flavor, but it will not technically be butterscotch; it will be caramel.
Honey: Use in place of corn syrup for a natural sweetener.
Coconut cream: Substitute for heavy cream.
Kosher salt: Instead of fine sea salt.
Maple syrup: Swap for light corn syrup for a different flavor.

HOW TO STORE:

This can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator where it will keep for up to 1 week.

I do not recommend freezing.

Reheat in the microwave until pourable before using.

DANA’S TIPS AND TRICKS:

Make sure you use dark brown sugar, which is essential.
You do not want this to boil over, so make sure that you keep an eye on it!
This will thicken as it sits, you can heat it in the microwave until your desired thickness. Don’t cook it too long or you’ll get a grainy texture.
Serve in or over so many desserts, see my suggestions above.

Spoon drizzling butterscotch sauce over a piece of pie.

Are you looking for a new recipe for that perfect sauce that you buy from the stores but want to make at home?

Then you need this Butterscotch Sauce!

It’s a super easy sauce that delivers big-time flavor. Make it, and everyone will know what a great cook you are.

If you like this recipe, you might also like:

If you’ve tried this BUTTERSCOTCH SAUCE let me know in the comments how it turned out! You can follow me over on PINTEREST, INSTAGRAM OR FACEBOOK to find some more of our mouthwatering recipes!

Close up square image of sauce in clear jar.

Rate this Recipe

5 from 3 votes