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    Home » Recipe Round-ups

    Butterscotch & Caramel Sauces (Recipe Roundup)

    September 3, 2015 • Updated: July 12, 2021 • by Renée B. • This post may contain affiliate links.

    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.

    Butterscotch & Caramel Sauce Recipe Roundup

    This post may contain affiliate links, but don't worry - they won't bite.

    Butterscotch & Caramel Sauce Recipe RoundupButterscotch 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 & Caramel Sauce Recipe RoundupButterscotch 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.

    1

    Gluten-free Caramel Sauce

    Photo Credit: mygluten-freekitchen.com

    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. 

    2

    Homemade Salted Caramel Sauce 

    Photo Credit: confessionsofabakingqueen.com

    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.

    3

    Homemade Butterscotch Sauce

    Photo Credit: redcookbook.com

    Homemade butterscotch sauce is easy to make and it's delicious topped on cupcakes or drizzled on ice cream and apples.

    4

    Cracked Pepper Salted Caramel Sauce

    Photo Credit: basilandbubbly.com

    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.

    5

    Coconut Caramel Sauce

    Photo Credit: www.whiskaffair.com

    Coconut Caramel Sauce is a twist on the standard recipe, where coconut milk gives a unique taste and flavor to the regular caramel sauce.

    6

    Cajeta (Milk Caramel Sauce)

    Photo Credit: www.baking-sense.com

    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.

    7

    Keto Caramel Sauce { Gluten Free }

    Photo Credit: trinakrug.com

    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.

    8

    Homemade Salted Caramel Sauce

    Photo Credit: theunlikelybaker.com

    Homemade salted caramel sauce — seriously addicting and so easy to make!

    9

    Life Changing Caramel Sauce

    Photo Credit: dishnthekitchen.com

    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.

    10

    How to Make Caramel Sauce (Salted Caramel)

    Photo Credit: livforcake.com

    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.

    11

    How to Make Caramel Sauce [Video]

    Photo Credit: www.kopiaste.org

    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.

    12

    Butterscotch Sauce

    Photo Credit: charlotteslivelykitchen.com

    Easy three-ingredient butterscotch sauce. Perfect for pouring on ice-cream, desserts or just licking from the spoon!

    13

    Salted Caramel Sauce

    Photo Credit: lifecurrentsblog.com

    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!

    14

    Chai-Spiced Paleo Salted Caramel (Vegan)

    Photo Credit: www.theroastedroot.net

    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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    Butterscotch & Caramel Recipe Roundup

    Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, including Amazon affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that we have recommended. While clicking these links won't cost you any extra money, they do help keep this site up and running. As always, all opinions and images are my own. Please check out our disclosure policy for more details. Thank you for your support!

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    About Renée B.

    Renée is writer, music maker, artist, and storyteller. In her spare time, you can find her writing love songs about cowboys, exploring the moss-covered nooks and crannies of the Pacific Northwest, and making music with her talented singer-husband.

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    1. Cate says

      April 27, 2020 at 3:29 pm

      Love this list! Butterscotch is one of my favorite flavors ever, thanks for sharing!

      Reply
    2. Krissy Allori says

      April 27, 2020 at 3:07 pm

      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!

      Reply
    3. Mahy says

      April 27, 2020 at 2:25 pm

      This caramel looks so yum, I can't wait to make it. Delicious sauce recipe that will work so well with my favorite desserts!

      Reply
    4. Anita says

      April 27, 2020 at 2:18 pm

      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. 🙂

      Reply
      • Renée ♥ says

        April 27, 2020 at 2:24 pm

        You can never have too many dessert sauces in your toolbelt!

        Reply
    5. Sharon says

      April 27, 2020 at 2:06 pm

      I love this roundup! So many delicious sauces to try on top of my favorite warm-weather treat, ice cream.

      Reply
    6. Marlynn [UrbanBlissLife] says

      September 03, 2015 at 9:42 pm

      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!

      Reply
      • Renée ♥ says

        September 03, 2015 at 9:51 pm

        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.

        Reply
    7. Catherine says

      September 03, 2015 at 3:29 pm

      That snippet of the theme song cracks me up! Well played, Renee!

      Reply
    8. Erin says

      September 03, 2015 at 3:16 pm

      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....

      Reply
    9. Cyra says

      September 03, 2015 at 12:41 pm

      I think my brain exploded the first time I realized caramel was basically just milk and sugar.

      Reply
    10. Meredith {MarthaChartreuse} says

      September 03, 2015 at 10:14 am

      Really appreciate the history of the sauces!

      Reply
    11. Erin @ Platings and Pairings says

      September 03, 2015 at 9:52 am

      I'm a huge fan of butterscotch and caramel! Now that fall is coming up - Try it on your pumpkin pie - Amazing!!!

      Reply
      • Renée ♥ says

        September 03, 2015 at 10:47 am

        That is a fabulous idea, Erin!

        Reply
    12. Rachel Lloyd says

      September 03, 2015 at 9:00 am

      I am a caramel lover, but not so much butterscotch! Great links here- I have to check them all out!

      Reply

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