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READY IN 45 mins

Butterscotch Candy

Read Reviews (21)

"My kids didn't think it possible to make butterscotch candies. This proved them wrong!" — Susan White

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Original recipe makes 40 servings Change Servings

1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup butter
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup water

2 teaspoons vinegar
1 pinch salt
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

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Directions

Generously butter a 10x15 inch baking pan (with sides).
In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine brown sugar, butter, white sugar, water, vinegar and salt. Cover and bring to a boil. Remove lid and heat, without stirring, to 270 to 290 degrees F (132 to 143 degrees C), or until a small amount of syrup dropped into cold water forms hard but pliable threads. Pour in vanilla, but do not stir. Remove from heat and pour into prepared pan. Let cool slightly before cutting into squares and allowing candy to cool completely.

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PREP 10 mins
COOK 15 mins
READY IN 45 mins

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I think the pan size is stated wrong for this recipe (10x15) as the candy only filled about half the space. Next time I would use 11x7 glass dish, which would make for more even candy sizes as the candy would be an even thickness. Cut the candy when it is still quite warm. Next time I want to wrap individual pieces in waxed paper.

—TheChattyHousewife

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Most Helpful Critical Review

Feb 18, 2003

This is not a good recipe for butterscotch. It has no taste and smells awful.

—GOLDPROSPECTER

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25 Ratings

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Dec 16, 2002

Fantastic recipe, thanks! My four year old loves this candy. The recipe requires little in the way of tending and the finished product is of sufficient texture to be broken by hand.

—CYNTHIAE

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Jan 26, 2009

Great recipe and easy to make. I didn't use the vinegar but it came out fine. I didn't need to check if i cooked it long enough because when it all is golden brown to brown it is ready. Thanks. It tastes great too. Too clean up is easy too, just use hot water and it melts away if it gets stuck.

—JakeW123

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Sep 07, 2010

This is a great recipe from scratch! If it does not turn out correctly, it is an error on the cooks part, not the recipe. We cut it with buttered shears into bite sized pieces and then shake in a bag with sugar. Will keep for a while. Phenomenal unadulterated flavor. Thank you so much for a great recipe!!

—sandycooky

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Dec 29, 2010

I attempted this recipe 3 times. The first time i put it in a pot that was too large and it burned (my fault!). The second time I put it in a smaller pot. I waited for the candy thermometer to reach 280, and just as it did, it burned.... The third time I FINALLY got it right... but in my opinion it just wasn't worth the effort...

—Morganleah201

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Jul 12, 2012

One reviewer said the temp needs to be at 240 degrees and this is incorrect. That temp will produce a chewy-praline like consistency. Butterscotch candy needs to be stirred constantly as the higher the temperature, the less water content and more concentrated the sugar becomes. This means it can burn easily if not stirred constantly. Butterscotch needs to come up to the temperature of soft crack stage (see below)just as the submitter wrote. . Soft-Crack Stage 270° F–290° F sugar concentration: 95% As the syrup reached soft-crack stage, the bubbles on top will become smaller, thicker, and closer together. At this stage, the moisture content is low. When you drop a bit of this syrup into cold water, it will solidify into threads that, when removed from the water, are flexible, not brittle. They will bend slightly before breaking. Saltwater taffy and butterscotch are cooked to the soft-crack stage. By following this recipe exactly and stirring constantly, it will be awesome!

—VJGUNKEL59

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Dec 05, 2004

very good recipe. the only thing that went wrong for me is that i couldn't cut it very well. i ended up breaking it with my hands. odd shapes, but it still tasted wonderful.

—mousie8

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Nutrition

Calories
30 kcal
2%

Carbohydrates
5.2 g
2%

Cholesterol
3 mg
1%

Fat
1.2 g
2%

Fiber
0 g
0%

Protein
0 g
< 1%

Sodium
19 mg
< 1%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

Nutritional Information

Butterscotch Candy

Serving Size: 1/40 of a recipe
Servings Per Recipe: 40
Amount Per Serving
** Calories: 30
** Calories from Fat: 10

% Daily Value *
** Total Fat 1.2g 2 %
** Saturated Fat 0.7g 4 %
** Cholesterol 3mg 1 %
** Sodium 19mg < 1 %
** Potassium 4mg < 1 %
** Total Carbohydrates 5.2g 2 %
** Dietary Fiber 0g 0 %
** Protein 0g < 1 %
** Sugars 5.2g
** Vitamin A < 1 %
** Vitamin C 0 %
** Calcium < 1 %
** Iron < 1 %
** Thiamin < 1 %
** Niacin < 1 %
** Vitamin B6 < 1 %
** Magnesium < 1 %
** Folate < 1 %

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.
(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.