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Creamy Butterscotch Sauce Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 51 reviews

This rich and creamy butterscotch sauce recipe combines butter, dark brown sugar, heavy cream, and vanilla extract to create a luscious topping perfect for desserts like ice cream, cakes, and pies. Made on the stovetop with simple ingredients, this classic sauce thickens as it cools, delivering a smooth, buttery flavor with deep caramel notes.

Ingredients

Scale

Butterscotch Sauce Ingredients

  • ½ cup salted sweet cream butter
  • 1 cup dark brown sugar (packed)
  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 1½ teaspoons vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Melt the Butter: Using a 2 to 3-quart heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat, add the salted sweet cream butter and stir until completely melted. This creates the base for the sauce.
  2. Add Sugar and Cream: Whisk in the dark brown sugar and heavy whipping cream thoroughly until the sugar dissolves. This step ensures the sauce will be smooth and creamy.
  3. Boil the Mixture: Stop whisking and allow the mixture to come to a boil for 4 minutes without stirring. This boiling step thickens the sauce and develops its signature butterscotch flavor.
  4. Finish with Vanilla: Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract. This adds a warm aromatic depth to the sauce.
  5. Cool and Thicken: Let the butterscotch sauce sit for 10 to 15 minutes to thicken further. Pour the sauce into a ½ pint mason jar for storage. Note that the sauce will thicken more as it cools.

Notes

  • Use a heavy-bottomed saucepan to prevent the sugar from burning during the boiling process.
  • Do not stir while the sauce is boiling; stirring can cause crystallization and affect texture.
  • The sauce can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.
  • Warm the sauce slightly before using if it becomes too thick after refrigeration.
  • For a dairy-free version, substitute salted butter with a vegan butter and heavy cream with coconut cream, but the flavor will differ slightly.

Keywords: butterscotch sauce, caramel sauce, dessert sauce, homemade butterscotch, easy sauce recipe, stovetop butterscotch

Find it online: https://www.sanacooks.com/creamy-butterscotch-sauce-recipe/