Curious about the difference between these sticky treats? A professional pastry chef explains all.
The Difference Between Caramel, Butterscotch and Toffee
Updated on Mar. 15, 2023
You’ve probably eaten something drizzled with caramel or made with bits of butterscotch and toffee before. But can you point out the differences between these light-brown sweets? At their core, all three are made using sugar and butter. But small tweaks make each dessert delightfully unique. Let’s dive in.
What Is Caramel?
Plain caramel is typically made with white granulated sugar. Water, sugar and corn syrup are heated until the sugar dissolves. Then the mix is left to boil until the syrup turns golden brown. Butter, cream and vanilla syrup are added and the ooey-gooey sauce is heated again. “Caramel can be a sauce, a candy or a topping,” says Helen Fletcher, professional baker and author of European Tarts. “It all depends upon the temperature of the caramel you are making. The higher the temperature, the more set the caramel [will be].” Try out caramel of all kinds with our 10 best homemade caramel recipes
What Is Butterscotch?
Like caramel, butterscotch is a cooked sugar. The main distinction is that butterscotch is made with brown sugar instead of white sugar. The traditional butterscotch recipe calls for butter to be melted with brown sugar to start. Once the mixture becomes more of a liquid (appearing less grainy), cream is added and the ingredients are boiled again until it reaches the optimal temperature. Drooling already? Check out our favorite butterscotch recipes and butterscotch chip recipes.
What Is Toffee?
Toffee is made from sugar and butter. Chefs cook toffee longer than caramel so it reaches a hardened, brittle state. (Check out Aunt Rose’s Fantastic Butter Toffee for a tasty example.) The candy is usually topped with chocolate, nuts or coconut—and gobbled up instantly.
All three are extremely versatile and can be incorporated into other desserts. “I use caramel in brownies, cookies and tarts as well as salted caramel and plain caramel sauce,” Fletcher says. “I use toffee pieces in the bottom of a brown butter tart.” As for substituting one for the other, here’s Fletcher’s expert advice: “As long as the consistency is maintained in the switch, I suppose they can be substituted for each other.”
Ooey-Gooey Desserts You'll Love
Caramel-Pecan Pumpkin Pull-ApartsWe love sticky buns made with my husband's angel biscuit dough, caramel and pecans. For a twist, try apple butter or applesauce instead of the pumpkin. —Carolyn Kumpe, El Dorado, California
Pumpkin Ice Cream RecipeYes, this pumpkin ice cream recipe is sure to get you in the mood for fall, but it’s a delicious frozen treat for every season.
Caramel CornLearning how to make a caramel corn recipe is surprisingly easy! Follow our step-by-step guide for perfect kernels.
Dulce de Leche CheesecakeThis decadent dulce de leche cheesecake features rich cream cheese filling with swirls of dulce de leche atop a spiced gingersnap and walnut crust.
Turtle BrowniesChocolate, caramel and pecans —how can you go wrong with turtle brownies? This recipe is quick and easy to make and might just become one of your new favorites.
Or try this classic turtle candy recipe!
Caramel HeavenliesBefore I cut these bars into triangles, I trim the edges so all the cookies look the same. My husband and daughter love this part because they get to eat the scraps. —Dawn Burns, Lake St. Louis, Missouri
Apple Pie a la ModeForget the single scoop of ice cream on top; we've turned apple pie a la mode into a no-bake ice cream pie.
Salted Cashew & Caramel ChewsNothing says "welcome home" like warm, gooey, chewy cookies right out of the oven with a cold glass of milk—mmm, heaven. You don't need a plate. Just grab and go. —Paula Marchesi, Lenhartsville, Pennsylvania
Salted Caramel Cappuccino CheesecakeAfter spending years living in Seattle, I’ve become a coffee junkie! I had to relocate across the country for a time, so I created this cheesecake with the flavors of salted caramel, coffee and espresso. It lifted me up on days when I felt blue about leaving one of the world’s amazing coffee destinations. —Julie Merriman, Seattle, Washington
Caramel BarsA cross between a cookie and a candy bar, our decadent salted caramel bars with chocolate are a grown-up version of your favorite childhood indulgences.
Contest-Winning Caramel Apple CrispWhen my kids and I make apple crisp, we use all sorts of apples to boost the flavor and texture. Add melted caramels, and you’ve got something scrumptious. —Michelle Brooks, Clarkston, Michigan
Turtle Tart with Caramel SauceBetween the creamy chocolate filling, crunchy nut crust and gooey caramel sauce, this tart has a whole lot to love. Plus, you can make it two to three days in advance. One of my daughters even asks for this instead of cake on her birthday. —Leah Davis, Morrow, Ohio
Salted Peanut RollsA Christmas gift of homemade candy is always a hit with sweet tooths. I dip these peanut rolls in chocolate, but they're yummy plain, too. —Elizabeth Hokanson, Arborg, Manitoba
Caramel Apple CheesecakeThis caramel apple cheesecake will bring back nostalgic memories of your childhood visits to the fair. This version is all grown up, with a rich cheesecake filling and its garnish of pecans.
Caramel Pecan ShortbreadMy grandchildren look for Grandma's "candy bar cookies" every Christmas. I recommend doubling the recipe for these sweet treats because they go so fast. —Dorothy Buiter, Worth, Illinois
Simple Turtle CheesecakeFor an almost instant dessert, I spread homemade ganache and caramel sauce over premade cheesecake. It always makes busy holidays feel slightly less hectic. —Laura McDowell, Lake Villa, Illinois
Apple DumplingsNostalgic apple dumplings are a deliciously sweet, flaky and saucy dessert that may look intimidating, but you'll be surprised how easy they are to make. Festive alert: Decorate them by adhering apple leaves and stems cut from the same dough.
Caramel Pretzel BitesI created this recipe wanting to make my own version of a popular candy store pretzel log dipped in caramel, chocolate and nuts. These bites are smothered with homemade caramel. —Michilene Klaver, Grand Rapids, Michigan
Caramel Chocolate TrifleA highlight of our annual family reunion is the dessert competition. The judges take their jobs very seriously! Last year's first-place winner was this tempting trifle.—Barb Hausey, Independence, Missouri
Blond Brownies a la ModeEver since I tried the maple blondie at Applebee's, I've been determined to figure out the recipe. I tried several variations until I came up with this one, and it's become one of our family favorites. —Pat Parker, Chester, South Carolina
Caramel Peanut FantasyPacked with peanuts and gooey with caramel, this do-ahead treat is one sweet dream of a dessert to serve company. With an easy cookie crust and scrumptious candy bar layers, it goes together quickly—and will disappear just as fast! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Caramel Pear PuddingDon't expect this old-fashioned dessert to last long. The delicate pears and irresistible caramel topping make it a winner whenever I serve it. It's nice to have a tempting fall cake that puts the season's best pears to excellent use.
—Sharon Mensing, Greenfield, Iowa
Caramel CandyCaramel candies are homemade treats that can be stored long-term to give as gifts or whenever you have a sweet craving. Wrap individually in wax paper for a traditional presentation or simply store between layers of wax paper.
Caramel Apple FloatWho doesn't love the flavors of caramel, apples, and vanilla ice cream together? If I'm feeling fancy, I drizzle caramel syrup around the inside of my glass before adding the apple cider and ginger ale. —Cindy Reams, Philipsburg, Pennsylvania
Rustic Nut BarsMy friends love crunching into the crust—so much like shortbread—and the wildly nutty topping of these chewy, gooey bars. —Barbara Driscoll, West Allis, Wisconsin
Caramel-Apple Skillet BuckleMy grandma used to bake a version of this for me when I was a little girl. She would make it using fresh apples from her tree in the backyard. I've adapted her recipe because I love the combination of apples, pecans and caramel. —Emily Hobbs, Springfield, Missouri
Cookout Caramel S'moresEasy delectable treats make a playful finish to an informal meal. Toasting the marshmallows extends our after-dinner time together, giving us something fun to do as a family. —Martha Haseman, Hinckley, Illinois
Apple Dumpling Roll-UpsA family friend gave me a simple way to make apple dumplings without lots of steps. I love the sticky cinnamon topping. —Jenny Leighty, West Salem, Ohio
Caramel Whiskey CookiesYogurt replaces part of the butter in this traditional cookie, but you would never know. I get a lot of requests for these and can’t make a cookie tray without them. —Priscilla Yee, Concord, California
Tres Leches CakeExperience the ultimate in creamy, dreamy desserts with this easy-to-make tres leches cake, soaked in a trio of milks and finished with a cloud of whipped cream.
Turtle CheesecakeWith rich layers of chocolate and caramel cheesecake, crunchy pecans and a silky chocolate ganache topping, this turtle cheesecake is a showstopping dessert that's a labor of love. But they'll love you for it!
Gooey Caramel-Topped GingersnapsMaking these cookies is therapeutic for me. And they are always quite popular at fundraisers. If you’d like, you can make variations by using different nuts.
—Deirdre Cox, Kansas City, Missouri
Caramelized Pineapple SundaesWhenever we get a craving for a tropical escape, this super simple recipe whisks us away in no time. Vanilla's nice but drizzling the sauce over salted caramel ice cream and taking a bite is just pure paradise. —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah
Caramel Thumbprint CookiesIf you want a thick, chewy cookie that's loaded with chocolate flavor and smooth caramel, these caramel thumbprint cookies are perfect. With chopped pecans and a chocolate drizzle, these cookies will be the star of any party or potluck.
Apple CrostataThis apple crostata recipe has firm apple slices covered with cinnamon sugar and a drizzle of caramel topping, resting in a simple dough circle. This is a terrific dessert to make when you don't want to bother with shaping and blind-baking a pie crust.
Turtle Cookie CupsFor a twist, use white chocolate chips in the cups and drizzle with white chocolate. — Heather King, Frostburg, Maryland
Gingerbread CheesecakeThis is my twist on Christmas gingerbread...cheesecake-style! I like to garnish it with small gingerbread men all the way around the sides and a dollop of whipping cream on each slice. —Cindy Romberg, Mississauga, Ontario
Glazed Apple-Maple BlondiesMy 6-year-old son and I conjured up this recipe to use the last of the apples we picked from the local apple orchard. Each bar goes beautifully with a dollop of sweetened whipped cream. —Heather Bates, Athens, Maine
Apple Bread Pudding with Caramel SauceThis apple bread pudding with caramel sauce has been in my life for a long time. It's a family fave and always on my buffet when I put together a brunch. It's also special enough for dinner dessert. —Cleo Gonske, Redding, California
Oatmeal Cookie BarsThese oatmeal cookie bars include a simple caramel sauce hack. The recipe comes together so fast that it will instantly become your go-to fall treat!
Caramel CheesecakeWhat makes cheesecake even better? A delicious, gooey caramel topping. Our caramel cheesecake has a crushed vanilla-wafer crust and a warm caramel-walnut topping. Oh yeah, it's really easy to make too!
