Great tasting butterscotch frosting with a wonderfully creamy texture. This recipe is incredibly easy to make and perfect for topping any of your favorite desserts.
When it comes to butterscotch frosting, it’s all about that rich flavor and texture, and this recipe is one of the absolute best I’ve ever made!
It’s amazing on cakes, cupcakes, cookies, and even waffles and crepes. It’s silly how easy it is to make, and I am sure it will be one of your new favorite frosting recipes.
Make sure to bookmark or pin this recipe so you can find it the next time you need a delicious butterscotch icing.
How to Make Homemade Butterscotch Icing from Scratch
Once you’ve tried this frosting, you’ll ditch the premade butterscotch and never look back!
With its amazingly rich flavor and mouthwatering texture, this frosting checks all boxes for becoming a new family tradition.
And on top of that, it’s a breeze to make, so there’s no reason not to add it to your regular frosting making rotation.
Prep time is under ten minutes and the only equipment you need is a double boiler, mixing bowl, and hand mixer.
This recipe yields enough butterscotch frosting for the following desserts.
- 1 13″x9″ sheet cake
- 3 layer 9″ cake
- 12 cupcakes
- 12-24 cookies
Related Recipe: Chocolate rum frosting
Butterscotch Frosting Ingredients
With just a handful of common baking ingredients you can make this recipe. In fact, many will find they already have all the necessary ingredients on hand.
And even if you don’t, they’re all easy to find and affordable!
Ingredients List
- Unsalted Butter
- Brown Sugar
- Salt
- Evaporated Milk
- Powdered Sugar
- Vanilla Extract
Butter: I use unsalted butter to better control how much salt I actually get in my frosting. But if all you have is salted butter, you can use it instead. Just omit the additional salt to compensate.
Brown Sugar: Go with light brown sugar if you have it. The moisture level and flavor is perfect for this frosting. But if all you have is dark brown sugar, it will work. It just has a more pronounced molasses flavor, which won’t be a big deal.
Try this recipe: Homemade coffee frosting
Easy to Follow Instructions
This recipe is super easy to make, and the only issue I’ve received from a few readers is that not everyone has a double boiler.
While I recommend using one for this recipe, there are alternatives. So even if you don’t have a double boiler, you can still make your butterscotch frosting.
Step 1: In your double boiler, heat butter, brown sugar, and evaporated milk. Stir until smooth
Step 2: Remove mixture from heat and allow to cool for a few minutes
Step 3: Using your mixer on medium high speed, combine powdered sugar in mixture
Step 4: Stir in vanilla extract
Step 5: Use immediately or store covered in the refrigerator
Step 6: Enjoy!
Save this favorite recipe: Chocolate marshmallow frosting
Simple Homemade Butterscotch Frosting
Equipment
- 1 Double Boiler
- 1 Hand Mixer
- 1 Mixing Bowl
Ingredients
- ¼ Cup Unsalted Butter
- ½ Cup Brown Sugar
- ⅛ tsp Salt omit if using salted butter
- ⅓ Cup Evaporated Milk
- 2 Cups Powdered Sugar
- ½ tsp Vanilla Extract
Instructions
- In your double boiler, heat butter, brown sugar, and evaporated milk. Stir until smooth
- Remove mixture from heat and allow to cool for a few minutes
- Using your mixer on medium high speed, combine powdered sugar in mixture
- Stir in vanilla extract
- Use immediately or store covered in the refrigerator
- Enjoy!
Nutrition
Liv’s Recipe Notes
- For a thicker frosting, add 1-2 tablespoons of powdered sugar
- For a thinner frosting add 1 tablespoon more evaporated milk
- Store leftover frosting in an airtight container in your refrigerator for up to three days
- For a slightly nuttier flavor, replace your vanilla extract with almond extract