Butterscotch vs. Caramel: Is there a difference? If you have a sweet tooth, you may love everything about caramel, from caramel sauce to caramel apples. You may even love butterscotch, which you think is a form of caramel, but did you know that it's not caramel?
Butterscotch is not caramel. While they may taste the same in some regards, they have a different process of being made. They also have mildly different flavors and nutritional differences. However, this still makes them delicious to have as a dessert.
This article uncovers the differences between these sweet treats. We unravel what makes caramel different from butterscotch, how it's made, why it's nutritional, why it tastes different, and more. You'll ultimately have a better understanding of what makes them so different.
- 4-serving meals starting at $3.77 per serving (up to 25% cheaper than HelloFresh).
- Incredible variety with 10+ weekly meal options, delivered directly to you.
- Easy to prepare meals ready in 30-minutes or less.
Butterscotch vs. Caramel: The Process of Making Them
In 1817, Samual Parkinson came out with butterscotch. Since then, butterscotch has undergone various changes to be what it is today. Some say the name butterscotch came from the word scorch because it's made under such high degrees of heat.
The process of making butterscotch is fascinating. It's made with two ingredients: butter and brown sugar. Depending on the brand of butterscotch you get, or if you make it homemade, you may also notice that it has heavy cream, vanilla, and salt. The key difference in how butterscotch is made is that it uses brown sugar, where the molasses comes from, whereas caramel uses granulated sugar.
Caramel has a more extensive history. It was first thought to have been made over a thousand years ago. In America, caramel became popular in the 1850s. When the 1900s appeared, caramel diversified. You could find it in creams and different kinds of candy.
Today, you can find butterscotch candy in nearly every grocery store. You can also find caramel candy or sauce in nearly every grocery store. You can also see various caramel-flavored items in the store, like cream, popcorn, and much more.
Why They Taste Different
While butterscotch and caramel have similar tastes, unique things make them different in flavor.
For example, butterscotch has more of a buttery and salty taste. This is because there's significantly more butter in butterscotch. There's also more salt that's in butter. There's also a creamy sweetness that comes from butterscotch.
- 4-serving meals starting at $3.77 per serving (up to 25% cheaper than HelloFresh).
- Incredible variety with 10+ weekly meal options, delivered directly to you.
- Easy to prepare meals ready in 30-minutes or less.
Similarly, caramel has a buttery richness to it. It's also sweet and creamy. Since there are more varieties of caramel, the flavor of the caramel you're eating may change a bit.
What Are the Nutritional Differences?
You may not think much of the nutritional value when it comes to either butterscotch or caramel because they are candies. Still, they have some nutritional value that may surprise you.
While they contain many carbohydrates and sugars, they also help your immune system. Caramel and butterscotch should also be eaten in moderation to avoid the high intake of sugar and butter that can increase the risk of diabetes. However, when eaten in moderation, they offer a lot of benefits. For example, caramel has tryptophan, which reduces stress and promotes relaxation.
Here are the best benefits of butterscotch:
- Improved eye vision
- Improved digestion
- Reduces anxiety
- Improves brain function
Here are the best benefits of caramel:
- Promote brain function
- Improves your mood
- It helps promote strong teeth
Recipes to Include With Either One of Them
The best thing to make with either caramel or butterscotch is a tasty and sweet treat. You'll find that there are a variety of desserts to make with either one of them that will satisfy your sweet tooth.
Here's a list of the most popular caramel desserts
- 4-serving meals starting at $3.77 per serving (up to 25% cheaper than HelloFresh).
- Incredible variety with 10+ weekly meal options, delivered directly to you.
- Easy to prepare meals ready in 30-minutes or less.
- Caramel brownies
- Caramel cookies
- Caramel sauce for ice cream
- Salt caramel butter bars
- Caramel popcorn
Here's a list of the most popular desserts around butterscotch
- Butterscotch pecan dessert
- Butterscotch pudding
- Butterscotch apple crumble
- Butterscotch sauce
- Butterscotch cookies
Beyond desserts, you can also try adding caramel or butterscotch-flavored cocktails. These are a great way to add some extra sweetness to whatever alcohol you're drinking.
Is Caramel or Butterscotch a Better Choice?
Finding the perfect candy sweetness with either caramel or butterscotch is a matter of preference. However, if you like one, you'll probably like the other because they are similar. The only major difference is how one is made with brown sugar and the other with granulated sugar.
Overall, trying both can give you an idea of which one you like more. It can give you an idea of what your favorite kind of caramel or butterscotch dessert is. But whatever you try, you'll find that either is beyond delicious.