There’s chocolate, there’s marshmallow, there’s tutti-frutti, and, yes, for those most adventurous souls, there’s even licorice. One unsung hero among this shrine of sugar is butterscotch. Today, we’ll take a closer look at butterscotch, and find out why it’s just as at home in the sundae bar as it is wrapped in plastic in your grandmother’s purse. Let’s talk about butterscotch, buds!
What is butterscotch?
Butterscotch is a brown sugar-based confection. It can be a soft candy (like a butterscotch chip) or a hard candy (like a Werther’s), or a gooey sauce.
What is butterscotch made of?
Butterscotch’s primary ingredients are brown sugar, butter, and heavy cream. Some recipes include corn syrup, cream, vanilla, and salt. Going back to the earliest known recipes, in mid-19th century Yorkshire, they used treacle (aka molasses) in place of, or in addition to, the brown sugar.
How do you make butterscotch?
Butterscotch is made by cooking butter and dark brown sugar together in a pot until the sugar starts to melt. Heavy cream is whisked in, and then the whole mixture is cooked until thickened. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can top the sauce with some salt for a little added sweet/savory juxtaposition.
What does butterscotch taste like?
The primary taste of butterscotch comes from, as one might surmise, its main ingredient: brown sugar. The brown sugar imparts a deep, caramel-like sweetness, which is both familiar and unique simultaneously. The taste of butterscotch is characterized by notes of toffee and a hint of molasses. In short…it tastes good!
What is the difference between butterscotch and caramel?
The difference between butterscotch and caramel is that caramel is made with white granulated sugar and cooked to 340 degrees Fahrenheit, whereas butterscotch is made with brown sugar and cooked to 289 degrees Fahrenheit. While similar, butterscotch is usually sweeter, softer, and richer, without those bitter notes that give caramel a slight bite. There is one glaring similarity between the two, however: You wouldn’t want to get either one stuck in your hair.
If you’re living life correctly (or even if you’ve just done well on a final exam or something like that) then it’s highly likely an ice cream sundae is in your near future. Be sure to get the most out of it by including some delicious butterscotch on top (and in between, and on the bottom).
Thoughts? Questions? Complete disagreement? Leave a comment!