Butterscotch frosting is a creamy smooth frosting with a delicious true butterscotch flavor, due to the addition of brown sugar. This is a rich frosting, therefore a sprinkle of sea salt complements it well. This frosting is delicious on cakes or cupcakes!

Butterscotch Frosting.

I love everything butterscotch and this creamy Butterscotch Frosting is no exception. It takes less than fifteen minutes to make this frosting and it’s SO good on cupcakes and cakes!

First things first…

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BUTTERSCOTCH AND CARAMEL FROSTING?

I’m so glad you asked –

Butterscotch frosting is made with brown sugar. The darker the brown sugar, the more pronounced the butterscotch flavor. Brown sugar contains molasses. The molasses gives the brown sugar the butterscotch undertones. Powdered sugar is also added.

Caramel frosting is made with granulated sugar that’s cooked into a caramel sauce. The caramel sauce is added to the frosting to give it caramel undertones. Powdered sugar is also added. Caramel is close to but milder in flavor than butterscotch.

Butterscotch Frosting.

Butterscotch Frosting Ingredients

This frosting is made with 6 simple ingredients…

  • cream cheese
  • butter
  • brown sugar
  • powdered sugar
  • vanilla
  • salt

How to make Butterscotch Frosting

This is SO easy!!

  1. Add the cream cheese to the bowl of a stand mixer, fitted with the paddle attachment.  Beat on medium-high speed until the cream cheese is smooth and free of any lumps.  Add the butter, brown sugar, salt, and vanilla.  Mix on medium speed until combined.  Slowly add the powdered sugar on low speed, until all sugar has been almost incorporated.  Turn mixer to medium-high speed and mix until smooth and creamy.
  2. Pipe or spread the frosting onto cooled cupcakes or cake layers.  This is a rich frosting, therefore if I pipe it on cupcakes I don’t pipe the frosting very high.
  3. Garnish the top of the cake or cupcakes with sea salt if desired.  I like the addition of sea salt since this frosting is rather sweet.

This frosting pairs great with the following cupcakes…

Birthday Party Cupcakes: These are super moist yellow cupcakes and the recipe makes about thirteen cupcakes.

Vanilla Cream Cheese Cupcake: These cupcakes are soft and fluffy with a wonderful vanilla flavor, and the recipe makes about 12 cupcakes.

Super Moist Chocolate Mocha Cupcakes: Super moist dark chocolate cupcakes and the recipe makes about 12 cupcakes.

Butterscotch Cupcakes: These moist cupcakes have a true butterscotch flavor and this butterscotch frosting is what I use on these cupcakes. The recipe makes about 14 cupcakes.

Can I freeze Butterscotch Frosting?

Yes, you certainly can!

  1. Transfer the frosting to an airtight container or freezer bag and freeze for up to 3 months.
  2. Thaw overnight in a refrigerator.
  3. Add the frosting to a mixing bowl and mix until it becomes creamy and smooth again.
  4. Frost your cupcakes or cakes.
Butterscotch frosting on a cupcake.

How much frosting does this recipe make?

This frosting makes about 2 cups. It’s enough to frost about 14 cupcakes if you’re not piping it high. This frosting is rich, therefore, I don’t recommend using much of it on cupcakes. If you’re using it on a cake, it will thinly frost one 2-layer 8-inch cake. Again, you don’t need a lot! It will generously frost one 2-layer 6-inch cake and will frost one 13 x 9 cake.

I honestly can’t imagine a world without brown sugar. I use brown sugar in so many dessert recipes. Brown sugar is the only way to have a true butterscotch flavor. Not to be confused with caramel… another flavor I love.

If you love butterscotch desserts, check out these other delicious recipes…

Old Fashioned Butterscotch Cake

Butterscotch Pecan Blondies

Homemade Butterscotch Cream Pie

If you make this recipe please rate it, and leave a comment below on how you liked it. I love hearing from you.

Wanna see different recipes each day? Feel free to follow me on Facebook, Pinterest, & Instagram.

Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
Butterscotch Frosting.

Butterscotch Frosting

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star No reviews
  • Author: Cindy @mycountrytable
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Total Time: 15 minutes
  • Yield: 2 cups 1x
  • Category: Frosting
  • Method: Mix
  • Cuisine: American
Print Recipe

Description

This frosting is creamy and rich with a true butterscotch flavor. It’s perfect on cakes and cupcakes!

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter
  • 1 cup brown sugar, light or dark, see note below*
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 3 cups powdered sugar, sifted
  • Sea salt for garnish, optional

Instructions

  1. Add the cream cheese to the bowl of a stand mixer, fitted with the paddle attachment.  Beat on medium-high speed until the cream cheese is smooth and free of any lumps.  Add the butter, brown sugar, salt, and vanilla.  Mix on medium speed until combined.  Slowly add the powdered sugar on low speed, until all sugar has been almost incorporated.  Turn mixer to medium-high speed and mix until smooth and creamy.
  2. Pipe or spread the frosting onto cooled cupcakes or cake layers.  This is a rich frosting, therefore if I pipe it on cupcakes I don’t pipe it very high.
  3. Garnish the top of the cake or cupcakes with sea salt if desired.  I like the addition of sea salt since the frosting is rather sweet.

Notes

  • *I used dark brown sugar in the frosting recipe.  However, the frosting is very rich.  That’s why I love the added sea salt.  The darker the brown sugar, the more butterscotch flavor.  If you don’t want overly rich frosting, you might try using light brown sugar the first time you make it.