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Cinnamon Butterscotch

4.5

(2)

Cinnamon Butterscotch on a gold spoon
Photograph by Isa Zapata, food styling by Judy Kim, prop styling by Nicole Louie

Butterscotch is caramel’s easier—and arguably more delicious—sister, featuring brown sugar instead of white and no need for a candy thermometer. A hefty pinch of salt helps the pleasantly bitter edge of the sauce stand up to its sweet side. Ground cinnamon adds a woodsy, spicy note, making this a great sauce to drizzle over apple desserts, vanilla ice cream, or even a stack of buttered pancakes.

What you’ll need

Recipe information

  • Total Time

    10 minutes

  • Yield

    Makes about 1½ cups

Ingredients

1 cup heavy cream
1 cup (200 g) light or dark brown sugar
½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 tsp. vanilla extract
¾ tsp. Diamond Crystal or ½ tsp. Morton kosher salt

Preparation

  1. Cook 1 cup heavy cream, 1 cup (200 g) light or dark brown sugar, ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, cut into small pieces, 1 tsp. ground cinnamon, 1 tsp. vanilla extract, and ¾ tsp. Diamond Crystal or ½ tsp. Morton kosher salt in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, whisking occasionally, until butter is melted. Continue to cook, whisking often, until mixture is slightly thickened, 5–8 minutes.

    Do Ahead: Butterscotch can be made 1 week ahead. Cover and chill. Reheat gently before using.

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