Butterscotch Squares copycat recipe (2024)

This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, read my disclosure policy.

If you love those Butterscotch Squares from your favorite candy shop…this recipe is for you! It’s a copycat recipe – a soft brown sugar candy covered in chocolate. The perfect candy recipe!

Butterscotch Squares copycat recipe (1)

Table of Contents

  • Ingredients Needed
  • How to make Butterscotch Squares
  • Expert Tips
  • Butterscotch Squares Recipe Recipe

I’ve mentioned before about my See’s Candy addiction. Growing up, a pound lasted less than a day. The chocolate factory is in my hometown, so that whenever I smell the inside of See’s store, I think I’m home.

If I had to pick one kind of See’s Candy to eat for the rest of my life it would be the Butterscotch Square (or the maple truffles). There would be no deliberation, hesitation, or hemming and hawing.Butterscotch Squares: they’re my favorite!

The boxes of See’s we’d get when I was a kid came with one butterscotch square. And it was mine – always. Everyone knew to back away from the square. My mom got the divinity, my dad the bordeaux. Me? I got the butterscotch square.

Of course, in true Dorothy fashion (and since I didn’t know the name for the longest time), called them brown sugar squares. I’d polish it off and then tell everyone I knew how much I hated butterscotch. Yes, I’ve learned the error of my ways. Butterscotch and me, we’re BFFs. And now I’ve made a copy cat of my favorite candy. So you can make it at home.

Butterscotch Squares copycat recipe (2)

Ingredients Needed

The base of the recipe is a cooked mixture of unsalted butter, brown sugar and heavy whipping cream. When that trifecta boils together, you get a rich butterscotch candy.

Have you ever heard of penuche? This recipe is very similar to penuche candy/fudge. The difference is the amount of powdered sugar used at the end.

Butterscotch Squares copycat recipe (3)
Butterscotch Squares copycat recipe (4)
Butterscotch Squares copycat recipe (5)
Butterscotch Squares copycat recipe (6)
Butterscotch Squares copycat recipe (7)

How to make Butterscotch Squares

I did a lot of searching online for a copycat recipe and kept coming up with the same base recipe (some with just a few changes or additions) over and over. I finally traced it back to the oldest one I could find, but I’m not sure where that one came from.

I do recommend using a candy thermometer for this recipe. The recipe I used as a guideline just gave times, and the first time I made this it really did not turn out. The candy has to cook to 236°F for it to set up properly and it’s too hard to gauge that without a thermometer.

Once the candy is cooked you let it set in a 9-inch square pan lined with foil or parchment paper. Once it’s set you cut it into 64 squares and coat them with chocolate.

Butterscotch Squares copycat recipe (8)

Butterscotch Squares copycat recipe (9)

Tip From Dorothy

Expert Tips

  • Use a large kitchen knife to cut the candy.
  • Remove the candy from the pan using the foil. Cut it in quarters.
  • Cut each quarter into slices, then cut each slice into squares. Make small cuts to avoid breaking the candy.
  • I prefer using Ghiradelli candy melts – they taste the best. If you can’t find them, use Candiquik.
  • Store these in an airtight container for up to a week in the refrigerator or freeze for up to a month.

Butterscotch Squares copycat recipe (10)

Butterscotch Squares Recipe

4.36 from 114 votes

This is a copycat See's Candy recipe – a creamy butterscotch like filling to a truffle dipped in chocolate.

Prep Time 1 hour hour

Cook Time 15 minutes minutes

Chill Time 3 hours hours

Total Time 4 hours hours 15 minutes minutes

Yield 64 truffles

Serving Size 1 square

Save RecipeRate RecipePrint Recipe

Ingredients

  • 2 cups (400g) packed brown sugar
  • ¾ cup (177ml) heavy whipping cream
  • 6 tablespoons (84g) unsalted butter
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup (113g) powdered sugar
  • 16 ounces chocolate melts

Instructions

  • Line a 9×9” pan with foil and spray with nonstick cooking spray.

  • Place brown sugar, cream, and butter in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir until melted. Bring to a rolling boil, then reduce heat to low and place a candy thermometer in the pot.

  • Stir occasionally and simmer until the mixture reaches 236º, about 7-8 minutes. Turn off heat and stir in vanilla and salt. Whisk in powdered sugar. Pour into prepared pan and allow to set at room temperature (a few hours, but this can be done the day ahead).

  • When ready to cut, remove from pan. Use a large kitchen knife and cut the square into quarters. From here, use small cuts to cut them into small squares (about 16 squares per quarter).

  • Melt chocolate according to package directions and dip each square, tapping off excess. Place on a wax paper lined cookie sheet and chill to set.

Recipe Video

Recipe Notes

  • Be sure to use small but swift cuts. The candy can be fragile and is prone to flaking and breaking, so a quick cut will make the candy stay together.
  • Read my post about dipping chocolate easily for tips.
  • Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week in the refrigerator.
  • You can freeze the candy, but know the chocolate might dull when defrosted.

Recipe Nutrition

Serving: 1square | Calories: 88kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 3mg | Sodium: 13mg | Potassium: 41mg | Fiber: 0.5g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 41IU | Vitamin C: 0.02mg | Calcium: 10mg | Iron: 0.3mg

Nutritional information not guaranteed to be accurate

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Author Dorothy Kern

Did you try this recipe? Click the stars to rate the recipe below

Favorite Candy Recipes

Candy

Butterfinger Fudge

Candy

Lemon Meringue Pie Fudge

Candy

Maple Nut Truffles

Candy

Reese’s Fudge

Last Updated on December 5, 2023

Butterscotch Squares copycat recipe (2024)

FAQs

Did butterscotch originally have scotch in it? ›

One misnomer is certain, however: that butterscotch contains any trace amounts of scotch or alcohol. Nearly all past and current recipes do not contain any Scotch whisky (unless the recipe is enhanced by adventurous cooks for their personal preference!).

How many calories are in a See's candy butterscotch square? ›

See's Candies Butterscotch Square (2 pieces) contains 24g total carbs, 24g net carbs, 9g fat, 1g protein, and 170 calories.

Where does the word butterscotch come from? ›

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.

Does butterscotch contain alcohol? ›

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.

Is butterscotch liqueur the same as butterscotch schnapps? ›

In this particular flavor, there is no noticeable difference between schnapps and liqueur and brands will use the two labels interchangeably.

Which bourbon tastes like butterscotch? ›

28 Mile ELF Butterscotch Bourbon Whiskey.

Is Carmel the same as butterscotch? ›

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.

What makes butterscotch taste like butterscotch? ›

What Is Butterscotch? Butterscotch is butter and brown sugar that has been slowly heated together to create a soft-crack candy. Just like caramel, the brown sugar molecules break down and, thanks to the addition of molasses in the sugar, caramelize into a richer, deeper flavor than classic caramel.

What is the brown thing in butterscotch? ›

Butterscotch sauce is made of brown sugar cooked to 240 °F (116 °C) mixed with butter and cream.

What alcohol tastes like butterscotch? ›

Butterscotch schnapps can be swigged solo, poured over a little ice or even diluted in cold seltzer. It's also a dreamy co*cktail ingredient that adds butterscotch flavor to traditional drinks and new classics alike.

Can you drink butterscotch schnapps straight? ›

Drinking Schnapps Neat

Schnapps are usually enjoyed after dinner with many of them flavourful enough to enjoy on their own. In Germany, it's common to take a shot of schnapps after dinner to aid digestion. Schnapps is best served at room temperature in a small glass.

What is the crunchy thing in butterscotch ice cream? ›

The base is made with cream (and milk sometimes) and it has crunchy praline (made with sugar and nuts) swirled into it. The crunchy praline give the ice cream an amazing texture. What are the nuts in butterscotch ice cream? Cashews and almonds are commonly used to make the praline in butterscotch ice cream.

What is the original butterscotch? ›

Early mentions of butterscotch associate the confection with Doncaster in Yorkshire. An 1848 issue of the Liverpool Mercury gave a recipe for "Doncaster butterscotch" as "one pound of butter, one pound of sugar and a quarter of a pound of treacle, boiled together" (500 g each of butter and sugar and 125 g treacle).

Did butterscotch originate in Scotland? ›

Incidentally, it does not come from Scotland, it originated in Doncaster, in South Yorkshire in England. Source Wikipedia article on butterscotch.

Does butterscotch pudding contain scotch whiskey? ›

Spiking the mixture with a little bourbon or Scotch isn't strictly traditional, but it does add a pop of flavor. Choose bourbon to underscore the caramelized notes of the brown sugar, or Scotch for a savory smokiness and a nod to the name.

How is butterscotch different from Carmel? ›

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.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Ouida Strosin DO

Last Updated:

Views: 5943

Rating: 4.6 / 5 (76 voted)

Reviews: 83% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Ouida Strosin DO

Birthday: 1995-04-27

Address: Suite 927 930 Kilback Radial, Candidaville, TN 87795

Phone: +8561498978366

Job: Legacy Manufacturing Specialist

Hobby: Singing, Mountain biking, Water sports, Water sports, Taxidermy, Polo, Pet

Introduction: My name is Ouida Strosin DO, I am a precious, combative, spotless, modern, spotless, beautiful, precious person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.