Description
Easy Butterscotch Sauce is a rich and creamy homemade topping that’s perfect for drizzling over desserts like ice cream, pancakes, or brownies. Made with simple ingredients including light brown sugar, butter, sea salt, half and half, and vanilla extract, this sauce comes together quickly on the stovetop and thickens to a luscious consistency with gentle simmering and constant whisking.
Ingredients
Scale
Butterscotch Sauce Ingredients
- 1 cup light brown sugar (packed)
- 4 Tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 tsp sea salt (or to taste)
- 1/2 cup half and half (or use equal parts heavy cream and milk)
- 1 Tbsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: Place the light brown sugar, unsalted butter, sea salt, and half and half into a small or medium-sized saucepan. Stir to combine all the ingredients evenly before heating.
- Heat and Whisk: Set the saucepan over low heat and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Whisk constantly to prevent burning and to help dissolve the sugar fully. Continue whisking for 6 to 9 minutes as the sauce thickens and becomes less watery. The consistent whisking ensures a smooth, creamy texture without lumps.
- Finish and Cool: Once thickened, remove the sauce from heat and stir in the vanilla extract. The sauce will thicken further as it cools. You can serve it warm, at room temperature, or chilled based on your preference.
Notes
- Constant whisking is crucial to prevent the sauce from burning and to achieve a smooth texture.
- The sauce thickens significantly as it cools, so avoid overcooking it on the stove.
- For a richer sauce, substitute the half and half with equal parts heavy cream and milk.
- Store leftover sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator and gently reheat before serving.
