Butterscotch Squares copycat recipe (2024)

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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

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Last Updated on December 5, 2023

Butterscotch Squares copycat recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the main ingredient in butterscotch? ›

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.

What makes butterscotch flavoring? ›

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 butterscotch hard candy made of? ›

butterscotch, usually hard candy made by boiling brown sugar and butter and sometimes corn syrup together in water. The derivation of the name is disputed as to whether it denotes the candy's origin in Scotland or an original ingredient of “scotched,” or scorched, butter.

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.

What is the difference between Carmel and 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 is the original butterscotch? ›

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.

Can you buy butterscotch flavouring? ›

This high strength natural butterscotch flavouring gives a buttery toffee flavour. Ideal for biscuits, cakes, confectionery and more. Foodie Flavours offer a huge range of flavours, which are suitable for a huge range of dietary needs.

What are the ingredients in butterscotch extract? ›

Butterscotch Type, Natural Flavor Blend contains propylene glycol, ethyl alcohol, water and natural flavor. This extract is gluten and sugar-free.

What is the crunchy stuff in butterscotch? ›

What is that crunchy thing in 'ready-made' butterscotch icecreams? Is it caramel-coated cashew/almonds or is it something else? It is not any coated dry fruit but it is hardened sugar,corn syrup along with few other ingredients then dropped with teaspoon to made chocolate chips like candies.

Are Werther's originals butterscotch? ›

Werther's Original (from the original German: Werther's Echte) is a brand of caramel candy owned by the German company August Storck, based in Berlin, Germany. The candy is popular in Europe and North America.

What's the difference between butterscotch and Scotch? ›

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).

What is the brown thing in butterscotch? ›

Butterscotch is made using brown sugar and butter as its primary ingredients. The brown sugar contains molasses and imparts a rich, deep sweetness with toffee notes. Butter adds a creamy, rich flavour; often, butterscotch recipes include cream and vanilla for added richness and depth.

Why does see's candy taste so good? ›

See's candies are made from fresh ingredients sourced almost exclusively in state. Like Teuscher, See's has never used preservatives, and for most of its existence the company has been family-owned and operated.

How many calories are in butterscotch squares with mango bits? ›

Rgies Butterscotch Squares With Mango Bits (2 pieces) contains 25g total carbs, 25g net carbs, 5g fat, 2g protein, and 150 calories.

How many calories are in lemon square butterscotch? ›

Lemon Square Butterscotch (1 serving) contains 23g total carbs, 22g net carbs, 5g fat, 2g protein, and 150 calories.

What is the combination of butterscotch? ›

Butterscotch is similar to caramel in flavor and use, but its formula relies on a combination of ingredients: brown sugar, butter, cream and vanilla. It is creamy, luxurious, complex and elegant.

What's the difference between butterscotch and scotch? ›

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).

What alcohol is in butterscotch? ›

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.

References

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