A Delicious And Easy Homemade Butterscotch Ice Cream

Learn all you need to know to make a deliciously easy homemade butterscotch ice cream with our simple recipe and easy-to-follow method. Perfect for ice cream lovers craving a rich, buttery treat!

Butterscotch ice cream offers a favourite flavour profile for many that brings together the best of both worlds: the deep caramel notes of brown sugar and the luxurious richness of butter.

Butterscotch has a nostalgic charm, reminiscent of old-fashioned sweets, yet despite its name, there’s no actual scotch in the mix—just a blend of butter and brown sugar that creates an unforgettable taste.

In this article, we’ll share a little background on the name Butterscotch, detail the flavour profiles and of course, we’ll share our Homemade Butterscotch Ice Cream recipe along with detailed step-by-step guidance on how you can recreate this delicious homemade treat.

If you’d rather, you can go straight to the recipe and method by clicking the following link

What is Butterscotch?

Ah, butterscotch! The name alone might have you thinking of a rich, boozy treat, but there’s no actual scotch in this delicious treat. Butterscotch is all about the buttery goodness and the deep, caramelised sweetness of brown sugar. It’s a classic combination that brings a smooth, rich taste with notes of toffee, perfect for those who love a little nostalgia in their homemade treats.

Where’s the Scotch in Butterscotch?

The name “butterscotch” might seem a bit puzzling since there’s no scotch whisky involved. The term “scotch” actually comes from an old 19th-century usage meaning “to cut or score,” referring to how the candy is traditionally scored into pieces before it hardens.

The “butter” part is straightforward, highlighting the rich, buttery component of the treat. Together, they form a name that celebrates the key ingredients and process, creating a delicious confection known for its deep caramel notes and smooth, buttery taste.

Butterscotch, Caramel, Toffee, and More

You might wonder isn’t butterscotch the same as caramel or even toffee? Well, there are actually a few differences between them, each being prepared in a slightly different manner thus creating different flavour profiles and textures.

Understanding the subtle differences between butterscotch, caramel, toffee, and other similar confections can help elevate your dessert-making skills.

Here’s a quick guide to these delicious treats:

Butterscotch: Butterscotch is made by combining brown sugar and butter, and sometimes a touch of cream or vanilla. Unlike caramel, which is cooked to a high temperature, butterscotch is typically cooked to a soft crack stage, resulting in a softer texture. The brown sugar gives it a rich, deep flavour with buttery undertones.

Caramel: Caramel is made by heating white granulated sugar slowly until it melts and turns a deep golden brown. It can be made with or without added ingredients like butter and cream. When butter and cream are added, it creates a smoother, creamier texture, known as caramel sauce. Caramel has a complex, sweet flavour with slightly bitter notes from the caramelised sugar.

👉🏽 Check out our delicious Homemade Salted Caramel Ice Cream recipe here – A Homemade Salted Caramel Ice Cream Recipe – which offers a step-by-step guide to making your own homemade caramel sauce.

Toffee: Toffee is created by cooking sugar and butter together until they reach a hard crack stage. It is typically harder and crunchier than butterscotch. Toffee can also be made with brown sugar or white sugar and often includes nuts or is coated with chocolate. Its flavour is similar to butterscotch but with a more pronounced, brittle texture.

Other Similar Confections:

• Treacle:
  • Definition: Treacle is a thick, dark syrup made from refined sugar, similar to molasses. It’s less refined than golden syrup.
  • Usage: Often used in British baking and sweets like treacle tart, providing a deep, rich sweetness.
• Fudge:
  • Definition: Fudge is a soft, creamy confection made by heating sugar, butter, and milk, often flavoured with chocolate, vanilla, or other ingredients.
  • Usage: Known for its smooth, melt-in-the-mouth texture, it’s a popular sweet treat that can be customized with various flavours and mix-ins.
• Butterscotch Sauce:
  • Definition: A sauce made by melting brown sugar with butter and cream, often flavoured with vanilla or salt.
  • Usage: Perfect for drizzling over ice cream, cakes, or fruits, adding a rich, buttery sweetness.

Understanding these differences can help you choose the right flavour and texture for your dessert creations, whether you’re making a rich caramel sauce, crunchy toffee, or smooth butterscotch ice cream.

For more in-depth information, you can refer to sources like The Spruce Eats or BBC Good Food.

Homemade Butterscotch Ice Cream Recipe

Now that you have a greater understanding of what butterscotch is and its flavour profile, let us share our homemade butterscotch ice cream recipe with you:

(Prep Time: 20 minutes | Cook Time: 10 minutes | Chill/Freeze Time: 8 hours | Total Time: 8 hours 30 minutes | Serves: 8 scoops)

Ingredients:

• 300g brown sugar
• 75g unsalted butter
• 500ml double cream
• 250ml whole milk
• 4 large egg yolks
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• A pinch of salt

Method:

1. Prepare the Butterscotch Base: In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the brown sugar and a pinch of salt, stirring continuously until the sugar dissolves completely and the mixture turns a deep caramel colour. This should take about 5-7 minutes.
2. Add the Cream and Milk: Carefully pour in the double cream and whole milk. The mixture will bubble up, so take care. Continue to stir until everything is well combined, then bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
3. Make the Custard: In a separate bowl, whisk the egg yolks until they’re slightly pale. Gradually add a small amount of the hot cream mixture to the eggs, whisking constantly to temper them. This prevents the yolks from curdling. Slowly add the egg mixture back into the saucepan, stirring continuously.
4. Cook Until Thickened: Cook the mixture over low heat, stirring constantly, until it thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon. This should take about 5-7 minutes. Do not let it boil, as this can cause the eggs to scramble.
5. Cool and Churn: Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Pour the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a clean bowl to remove any lumps. Allow it to cool to room temperature, then cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight if possible.
6. Churn the Ice Cream: Once chilled, pour the mixture into your ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer’s instructions. This typically takes about 20-30 minutes. If you don’t have an ice cream maker, you can use the no-churn method by pouring the mixture into a freezer-safe container, freezing it, and stirring every 30 minutes until firm.

• • NB: If you don’t own an ice cream maker, you can still make this recipe; you simply pour the mixture into a freezer-safe container and freeze. Every 30 minutes, stir the mixture vigorously with a fork to break up ice crystals, repeating this process for about 3-4 hours or until the ice cream is firm. Please also check out our post – Homemade Ice Cream: Without an Ice Cream Maker – to learn more.

7. Freeze and Enjoy: Transfer the churned ice cream into a freezer-safe container and freeze for an additional 4 hours, or until it reaches your desired firmness. Scoop into bowls or cones and savour the creamy butterscotch goodness!

Nutritional Values (per serving)

• Calories: 285 kcal | Fat: 20 g | Saturated Fat: 12 g | Carbohydrates: 24 g | Sugar: 23 g | Protein: 4 g | Sodium: 60 mg

Note: Values are approximate and will vary slightly depending on ingredients and mix-ins.

Serving Suggestion

• Serve with a drizzle of warm butterscotch sauce and a sprinkle of flaky sea salt for the ultimate finish.

Tips and Tricks

• Balance the Sweetness: If you prefer a less-sweet ice cream, you can reduce the amount of brown sugar slightly.
• Add Mix-ins: For a fun twist, consider adding some crushed toffee or caramel swirls during the last few minutes of churning.
• Storage: Homemade ice cream is best enjoyed fresh, but can be stored in the freezer for up to 2 weeks.

Take Your Butterscotch Up a Notch With Some Irresistible Mix-Ins

Looking to elevate your homemade butterscotch ice cream? These irresistible mix-ins add texture, flavour, and a little extra fun to every scoop. From crunchy toffee to gooey caramel swirls, here’s how to take your butterscotch from delicious to downright decadent!

Butterscotch Ice Cream – Irresistible Mix-Ins

Mix-In	Ingredient	Flavour Profile	Texture	How to Add
Crushed Toffee	Toffee pieces, roughly chopped	Extra caramel sweetness that amplifies butterscotch	Crunchy contrast	Fold through in the last minute of churning or layer into the tub
Chopped Pecans	Lightly toasted pecans, chopped	Nutty richness that balances sweetness	Toasty crunch	Cool mix-ins completely, then fold through at soft-serve stage
Chocolate Chips	Semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips	Bittersweet bite that pairs with buttery notes	Firm, melty nibs	Fold through right at the end of churning to prevent sinking
Caramel Swirl	Caramel sauce (homemade or good-quality)	Luscious, extra-caramel ribbons	Silky, gooey streaks	Layer: ice cream → drizzle caramel → repeat; avoid over-mixing
Sea Salt	Flaky sea salt	Sweet-salty lift that sharpens flavour	Delicate crunch	Sprinkle lightly as you layer into the container
Bourbon (Adults)	1–2 tbsp bourbon	Smoky depth; warm vanilla oak	Softer scoop (alcohol lowers freeze point)	Whisk into the chilled base before churning; label “adults only”
Tip: Keep all mix-ins cold and add them at the very end to prevent melting or sinking.

How to Incorporate Your Mix-Ins

1. Prepare Your Mix-Ins: Ensure all mix-ins are ready and at the correct temperature before adding them to your churned ice cream.
2. Fold in the Mix-Ins: After the ice cream has been churned to a soft-serve consistency, gently fold in your mix-ins. Be careful not to overmix, as you want to maintain the texture of both the ice cream and the mix-ins.
3. Layer with Caramel Swirl: If using a caramel swirl, layer it in by adding a spoonful of caramel sauce into the ice cream container, followed by a layer of ice cream, and repeating until all the ice cream is transferred.
4. Final Freeze: Transfer the ice cream with mix-ins into a freezer-safe container and freeze for an additional 4 hours or until it reaches your desired firmness.

By adding these mix-ins, you can customise your butterscotch ice cream to create a unique and decadent dessert experience. As always with homemade ice cream, you have the luxury of experimenting with different combinations to find your perfect scoop!

For more inspiration on homemade ice cream recipes, feel free to check out all our recipes and methods by clicking this link.

❓FAQ – Your Butterscotch Questions Answered

Still have a few butterscotch questions bubbling away? You’re not alone! Here are the answers to some of the most common questions I get about making this rich, creamy classic at home.

1. What’s the difference between butterscotch and caramel?
While both start with sugar and butter, butterscotch uses brown sugar, giving it a richer, deeper flavour with buttery notes. Caramel is made with white sugar, cooked until golden and slightly bitter, for a more complex sweetness.

2. Can I make this ice cream without eggs?
Yes! You can skip the egg yolks and make a no-custard version by increasing the cream slightly and adding a tablespoon of corn syrup or condensed milk. It won’t be quite as rich, but it’ll still be creamy and delicious.

3. How do I stop homemade ice cream from turning icy?
Make sure your base is fully chilled before churning, and add a small splash of alcohol or corn syrup to help prevent ice crystals. Storing your ice cream in an airtight container also keeps the texture smoother.

4. Can I make this recipe dairy-free?
Absolutely! Swap the double cream and milk for coconut cream and oat milk, and use a vegan butter alternative. You’ll still get that buttery sweetness — just with a lighter, tropical twist.

The Final Scoop

Rich, buttery, and brimming with nostalgia, homemade butterscotch ice cream is proof that simple ingredients can create pure magic. From its golden caramel tones to that smooth, velvety texture, every scoop is a taste of classic comfort. Whether you enjoy it on its own, swirled with caramel, or topped with a sprinkle of sea salt, it’s a flavour worth savouring all year round.

We hope that you’ve enjoyed our article – A Delicious and Easy Homemade Butterscotch Ice Cream – and that we’ve inspired you to bring this nostalgic flavour to life in your own kitchen. Whether you’re churning it for a cosy family dessert or adding your own twist with crunchy mix-ins, this creamy, buttery scoop is pure comfort in a bowl. 🍯

If you have any questions or want to share how your butterscotch creation turned out, drop us a comment below – we’d love to hear from you (and see your delicious results!).

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