Our collection of decadent, delicious, dessert-worthy Caramel Sauce and Butterscotch Sauce recipes will take your next scoop of ice cream or slice of pie to a whole new level of awesome.
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Butterscotch and caramel remind me a little of Patty and Cathy Lane. (Showing my age again. Oh well.)
Patty and Cathy were identical first cousins, both played by Patty Duke in The Patty Duke Show, which aired on television back in the early 60’s. (I only remember seeing it in reruns, if that makes you feel any better.)
While both girls were identical in physical appearance, their style, tastes, and attitudes were very different, as the show’s theme song illustrates:
…where Cathy adores the minuet, the Ballet Russe and crêpes Suzette, our Patty loves to rock ‘n’ roll, a hot dog makes her lose control...?
Butterscotch and caramel are like that. Except for maybe the hot dog part. And like Patty and Cathy, people get butterscotch and caramel mixed up. If you see them from across a crowded room, chances are you won’t be able to tell them apart. But up close, there are some distinct differences.
What’s the difference between Butterscotch and Caramel?
Caramel’s primary flavors are white cane sugar and cream (or milk). Ingredients usually include granulated [white] sugar, milk and/or cream, butter, and vanilla.
Butterscotch’s dominant flavors are traditionally brown sugar and butter. Butterscotch does not contain any dairy (i.e., milk, cream, etc.) except for that in the butter. Historically, butterscotch was made with treacle (blackstrap molasses, a cane-sugar byproduct); however, today it is generally made from brown sugar.
A Brief History of Butterscotch
Butterscotch has an interesting history. While there are many theories about its origins, food historians (yes, that’s a thing!) agree that the first record of the word “butterscotch” appeared in 1817, when Samuel Parkinson began making the candy in Doncaster, Yorkshire, England.
The candy soon won royal approval, and was subsequently advertised as “Royal Doncaster Butterscotch”, or “The Queen’s Sweetmeat”, and was touted as “the best emollient for the chest in the winter season.” Mr Parkinson’s sweet creation was sold commercially from then on, until production ceased in 1977.
Then in 2003, a Doncaster couple discovered the recipe inside an old Parkinson’s St Leger tin found in their cellar. They went on to form Parkinson’s Doncaster Butterscotch Ltd, and now produce butterscotch made from the original recipe for sale all over the world.
Caramel Sauce & Butterscotch Sauce Recipes You Can Make
While making either butterscotch or caramel in candy form can be tricky (or at least require a candy thermometer), both caramel and butterscotch sauces are easy to make, and store well for weeks.
Butterscotch & Caramel Sauce Recipes
Our collection of decadent, delicious, dessert-worthy Caramel Sauce & Butterscotch Sauce recipes will take your next scoop of ice cream or a slice of pie to a whole new level of awesome.
Gluten-free Caramel Sauce
This homemade caramel sauce is thick, creamy, buttery and perfectly sweet. It stays soft at room temperature, and can be warmed just a bit for drizzling.
Homemade Salted Caramel Sauce
Rich and smooth Homemade Salted Caramel Sauce is simple and easy to make. Sugar, Butter, Cream and Sea Salt with a heavy-bottomed pan are all you need to make this gorgeous salted caramel sauce.
Homemade Butterscotch Sauce
Homemade butterscotch sauce is easy to make and it's delicious topped on cupcakes or drizzled on ice cream and apples.
Cracked Pepper Salted Caramel Sauce
A classic caramel sauce that's been given a kick. This unexpectedly decadent and delicious Black Pepper Caramel Sauce is divine on everything from Ice Cream to quick bread.
Coconut Caramel Sauce
Coconut Caramel Sauce is a twist on the standard recipe, where coconut milk gives a unique taste and flavor to the regular caramel sauce.
Cajeta (Milk Caramel Sauce)
Cajeta may be the most delicious caramel that you’ve never tasted. Unlike a basic caramel which is made from sugar, cajeta, like it’s cousin dulce de leche, is a milk-based caramel.
Keto Caramel Sauce { Gluten Free }
This gooey low carb caramel sauce is the decadent dessert sauce you’ve been missing! Perfect for dipping, for drizzling over ice cream, for topping your favorite pies, or even just for eating right out of the jar.
Homemade Salted Caramel Sauce
Homemade salted caramel sauce — seriously addicting and so easy to make!
Life Changing Caramel Sauce
A rich and velvety caramel sauce spiked with a bit o booze. Use Apple Brandy to add a bit of a smoky flavour or use Calvados or Bourbon.
How to Make Caramel Sauce (Salted Caramel)
Make your own caramel (or salted caramel) at home with this easy tutorial! This easy Caramel Sauce recipe takes only four simple ingredients and 15 minutes to make.
How to Make Caramel Sauce [Video]
Caramel is when sugar is heated and becomes a liquid. As it continues to cook it becomes golden brown and has an intense, deep flavour from the caramelization of the sugar.
Butterscotch Sauce
Easy three-ingredient butterscotch sauce. Perfect for pouring on ice-cream, desserts or just licking from the spoon!
Salted Caramel Sauce
Salted Caramel Sauce has been a house favorite for years now. It’s super easy to make, and so mouthwateringly delicious! Silky smooth, soft, buttery, caramel-y (um but you already knew that part), oh just make some and you’ll be super happy!
Chai-Spiced Paleo Salted Caramel (Vegan)
Chai-spiced paleo salted caramel made with a handful of basic ingredients you probably already have in your pantry. This amazing sauce is perfect for dressing up any treat!
Mr. B and I like to keep a jar of caramel or butterscotch sauce in our fridge at all times, for pouring over ice cream, drizzling on desserts, and for mixing in coffee and other delicious beverages.
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I am a caramel lover, but not so much butterscotch! Great links here- I have to check them all out!
I’m a huge fan of butterscotch and caramel! Now that fall is coming up – Try it on your pumpkin pie – Amazing!!!
That is a fabulous idea, Erin!
Really appreciate the history of the sauces!
I think my brain exploded the first time I realized caramel was basically just milk and sugar.
Interesting! I can taste a difference between the two but didn’t actually know the ingredient difference. Now I would really love an ice cream sundae….
That snippet of the theme song cracks me up! Well played, Renee!
I LOVE making caramel sauce but had no idea that butterscotch didn’t have dairy in it. How did I not know that? Now that I do, I am definitely making it! Thanks for the fun and informational post!
Apparently not all the people who are publishing recipes know that either, Marlynn! Most of the butterscotch candy recipes I found have some kind of dairy besides the butter, and all of the sauce recipes I found did. While by definition, there may be clear lines, I think once we enter the real world, the line becomes a lot more blurry.
I love this roundup! So many delicious sauces to try on top of my favorite warm-weather treat, ice cream.
Thanks for all the lovely links! I am more familiar with caramel sauce, but I have a feeling that I am going to add another favorite sauce to my arsenal. 🙂
You can never have too many dessert sauces in your toolbelt!
This caramel looks so yum, I can’t wait to make it. Delicious sauce recipe that will work so well with my favorite desserts!
These are 2 of our favorite toppings at my house. I’ve made my own caramel but never butterscotch. You have made me want to make it. Saving this for later. Thanks!
Love this list! Butterscotch is one of my favorite flavors ever, thanks for sharing!