Butterscotch Squares copycat recipe (2024)

FAQs

Did butterscotch originally have scotch in it? ›

Alas, it turns out that butterscotch, traditionally a mixture of brown sugar and butter, never did contain Scotch. While there is no definitive etymology of the word, theories range from scotch being a corruption of the word “scorch,” to the possibility that the candy came from Scotland (this one is dubious).

The term “butterscotch” is thought to originate from the confection's primary ingredients – butter and the process of “scotching,” which in this context means to cut or score. The “butter” part of the name straightforwardly refers to one of the key components of the sweet.

Even though no alcohol is present, it tends to have a sort of liquor flavor that is probably due to the heated sugar. Its history originates in England and the “scotch” part of the name may be derived from the word “scorch,” since the sugar is heated to a fairly high temperature.

Butterscotch is a type of confectionery whose primary ingredients are brown sugar and butter. Some recipes include corn syrup, cream, vanilla, and salt. The earliest known recipes, in mid-19th century Yorkshire, used treacle (molasses) in place of, or in addition to, sugar.

In Doncaster, England, in 1817, Parkinson set off a wave of excitement by creating a candy that used a combination of butter, sugar, and treacle (a version of our modern-day molasses). This confection grew in popularity, and the company ultimately received a Royal Seal of Approval for its high demand in exporting.

Similar to caramel, butterscotch is made by heating sugar. The main difference between the two is that butterscotch uses brown sugar instead of white. The ingredients are also combined in a slightly different order for butterscotch: your start out by melting butter with brown sugar.

Butterscotch vs 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.

Origin. Butterscotch is claimed to have been first named in 1817 in Doncaster, England by Samuel Parkinson. He had begun making the candy earlier under the name of buttery brittle toffee. The company that produced the candy received the Royal Seal of Approval for their highly demanded export.

28 Mile ELF Butterscotch Bourbon Whiskey.

If you're craving something sweet and boozy, try these easy drinks with butterscotch schnapps. They're super smooth, oh-so-sinful, and perfect for parties.

How was butterscotch invented? ›

Butterscotch is traced back to Doncaster, a town in Yorkshire, England, where the word was first recorded. It is often credited to Samuel Parkinson, a confectioner who began making it as a hard candy in 1817. Tins of the treat even had the royal seal of approval! There's no clear origin to the confection's name.

No. The "scotch" part of butterscotch refers to the candy being poured out onto a flat surface, then scored (scotched) in a crisscross pattern to make little rectangular or triangular pieces. It's mainly made of brown sugar, butter and/or cream, vanilla, and sometimes a small bit of salt.

This creamy pudding, thickened with cornstarch and egg yolks and stirred together on the stove, is as homey as it gets. Spiking the mixture with a little bourbon or Scotch isn't strictly traditional, but it does add a pop of flavor.

It's also rather easy to make your own butterscotch schnapps using a brandy or vodka base. This can be done by using butter, brown sugar, and light corn syrup to make a caramel sauce, letting that cool, then adding it to a bottle of liquor. Some recipes add glycerine for smoothness and vanilla extract for extra flavor.

Origin of butterscotch

¹. C19: perhaps first made in Scotland, or perhaps from scotch 1 (sense 3), 'to cut or score', because it was originally cut with a knife into small pieces.