Butterscotch Icing

Prep: 10 min Cook: 2 min Cuisine: American

Butterscotch icing offers a rich, caramel-like flavor perfect for cakes and cupcakes, appealing to those who love sweet, buttery finishes on their baked treats.

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Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 6 tablespoons butter
  • 1/3 cup milk
  • 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

Instructions

  1. Melt the brown sugar and butter together.
  2. Add the milk to the melted mixture.
  3. Bring to a boil and cook for 2 minutes, then chill.
  4. In a mixer, gradually add powdered sugar to the cooled mixture until the desired consistency is achieved.
  5. Spread the icing on your baked goods.

Tips & Substitutions

For a richer flavor, use dark brown sugar instead of light brown. If you don't have powdered sugar on hand, you can blend granulated sugar in a blender until fine. Be sure to let the mixture cool completely before adding the powdered sugar to avoid any lumps. This icing pairs beautifully with Pineapple Cream Meringue Pie for a delightful dessert.

Serving Suggestions

This butterscotch icing is perfect for drizzling over cakes, cupcakes, or cookies. It pairs well with chocolate desserts or can be used to enhance simple baked goods like vanilla pound cake. For a fun twist, try it on top of Low-Fat Chocolate Chip Cookies for a decadent treat.

Storage & Reheating

Store any leftover butterscotch icing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. When ready to use, gently reheat in the microwave in short intervals, stirring in between, until it reaches a spreadable consistency. Avoid overheating to maintain its texture.

Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)

Each serving of Butterscotch Icing contains roughly 753 calories, with 6g protein, 117g carbohydrates, and 30g fat. It is an excellent source of iron (31% of the Daily Value) and calcium (30% of the Daily Value), and a good source of vitamin A and vitamin C.

753 kcal 38% DV
Protein Fat Carbs

Macronutrients

Protein 5.9g 12% DV
Total Fat 29.9g 38% DV
Carbs 116.7g 42% DV
Fiber 0.4g 1% DV
Sugar 92.5g 100% DV

Electrolytes

Sodium 296mg 13% DV
Potassium 269mg 6% DV
Cholesterol 65.4mg 22% DV

Vitamins & Minerals

Vitamin A 169.2mcg 19% DV
Vitamin C 13.9mg 15% DV
Vitamin D 1.5mcg 8% DV
Calcium 394.1mg 30% DV
Iron 5.6mg 31% DV
Contains Milk

Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.

* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this icing in advance?

Yes, you can make butterscotch icing ahead of time. Just store it in the refrigerator in an airtight container and reheat it gently before using. This makes it convenient for batch baking or preparing for a party.

What can I use if I don't have brown sugar?

If you don't have brown sugar, you can substitute it with granulated sugar mixed with a small amount of molasses. For every cup of sugar, add 1 tablespoon of molasses to achieve a similar flavor and moisture level.

How can I thicken the icing if it's too runny?

If your butterscotch icing is too runny, gradually mix in more powdered sugar until you reach your desired consistency. Alternatively, you can simmer the mixture a bit longer to thicken it before adding the powdered sugar.

Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).

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