Quick Hot Butterscotch
My Quick Hot Butterscotch is a delicious alternative to hot cocoa. This easy 5 ingredient recipe is made with milk, a touch of half & half, butterscotch morsels, cinnamon, and vanilla. As an extra special finish to this cozy drink, top with toasted marshmallows. A warming drink for cold winter months, this beverage can also be made vegan & dairy-free!
There are two ways to make this recipe, microwave or stovetop method. To learn how to make this yummy hot drink recipe using the quick method, see the printable recipe card below, or take a look at the recipe video. Want a more detailed explanation of this recipe, or learn how to make the stovetop method? See the Step by Step Instructions below. For other recipe variations including vegan and dairy-free options, visit the Pimp My Recipe section in this recipe’s Blog Comments & Tips.
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RECIPE
(Check out our Step by Step Instructions below the recipe card.)
QUICK HOT BUTTERSCOTCH
Ingredients
Instructions
- To a 2-cup measuring cup (microwave safe), add milk, half & half, butterscotch morsels, cinnamon, and salt, and stir to combine.
- Place in the microwave, and heat on high for about 1 ½ to 2 minutes (stopping at 1 ½ minutes to test temperature). Stir, taste with a spoon, or use a candy thermometer (temp between 165°F - 185°F). If not hot enough, microwave for another 30 seconds or until it reaches desired temperature.
- Add vanilla, and stir scraping the melted morsels from the bottom of the measuring cup. Using an electric milk frother (or whisk), whip the hot mixture to make sure it’s completely blended and create a froth. Pour hot butterscotch into a 12 ounce mug.
- Sprinkle with some cinnamon, and/or top with marshmallows (optional). Serve immediately, and enjoy!
Notes
- For details on how to make this recipe vegan & dairy-free, visit the Pimp My Recipe section in my Blog Comments & Tips for this recipe on the website.
- You can opt to use un-toasted marshmallows, as well. If you prefer small marshmallows, add 2 tablespoons per cup. For a quick method to toast marshmallows, see the Step by Step Instructions on the website for this recipe.
- Heating times will vary based on the wattage of microwave.
- Recipe can easily be doubled, tripled, quadrupled, or more by using the stovetop method. For details, visit the Step by Step Instructions for this recipe on the website.
- Makes one 11 or 12 ounce serving.
Nutrition Facts
Calories
433Fat (grams)
22.17Sat. Fat (grams)
17.16Carbs (grams)
48.76Fiber (grams)
0.13Net carbs
48.63Sugar (grams)
49.14Protein (grams)
9.17Sodium (milligrams)
164.81Cholesterol (grams)
23.39Nutritional information provided is strictly an estimate and will vary based on ingredient brands and cooking methods. Optional garnish (extra cinnamon & marshmallows) are not included in the nutritional calculations.
Step by Step Instructions
PREPARATION
Organize all your tools and ingredients before you begin. Getting all your ingredients in one place at the beginning will shorten your prep time.
Quick Microwave Method
STEP 1
To a 2-cup measuring cup (microwave safe), add 8 ounces 2% milk (see Note below), 1 tablespoon half & half, 2 ½ tablespoons butterscotch morsels, ⅛ teaspoon ground cinnamon, and a smidgen of kosher salt, and stir to combine.
Note: For details on how to make this recipe vegan & dairy-free, visit the Pimp My Recipe section in my Blog Comments & Tips below.
STEP 2
Place in the microwave, and heat on high for about 1 ½ to 2 minutes (stopping at 1 ½ minutes to test temperature). Stir, taste with a spoon, or use a candy thermometer (temp between 165°F - 185°F). If not hot enough, microwave for another 30 seconds or until it reaches desired temperature.
Note: Times will vary based on the wattage of microwave.
STEP 3
Add ¼ teaspoon pure vanilla extract, and stir scraping the melted morsels from the bottom of the measuring cup. Using an electric milk frother (or whisk), whip the hot mixture to make sure it’s completely blended and create a froth. Pour hot butterscotch into a 12 ounce mug.
SERVING SUGGESTIONS
Sprinkle with more cinnamon, and/or top with 1-2 large toasted marshmallows (optional - see Note below).
Note: You can opt to use un-toasted marshmallows, as well. If you prefer small marshmallows, add 2 tablespoons per cup. For a quick method to toast large marshmallows, see the Quick Toasted Marshmallows section below.
Quick Toasted Marshmallows
While the milk mixture is heating in the microwave, heat a toaster oven on broil. Line a small broiler pan with aluminum foil, and vertically place 1-2 large marshmallows on the pan. As soon as you finish pouring the hot butterscotch into your mug, broil marshmallows until perfectly toasted on the top (about 15 to 30 seconds). Remove promptly, top the cocoa with toasted marshmallows, and serve immediately.
Stovetop Method
(Recommended method when increasing the recipe (i.e., doubling, tripling, or quadrupling)
STOVETOP - STEP 1 (single serving amounts)
Add 8 ounces 2% milk, and 1 tablespoon half & half to a 1 quart saucepan, and place on medium heat. Add 2 ½ tablespoons butterscotch morsels, ⅛ teaspoon ground cinnamon, and a smidgen of kosher salt, and stir to combine. Using a silicone spatula, stir frequently, scraping the bottom and sides of the pan to prevent morsels from burning or a film from forming on the milk. When the milk is heated through and barely at a low simmer, test temperature (taste with a spoon, or use a candy thermometer - temp between 165°F - 185°F). If not hot enough, continue to heat until it reaches the desired temperature. Remove from heat, and add ¼ teaspoon pure vanilla extract.
STOVETOP - STEP 2
Using an electric milk frother (see Note below) or whisk, whip the hot mixture in the pan (see Note below) to make sure it’s completely blended and create a froth. Pour hot butterscotch into a 12 ounce mug, and garnish with cinnamon and/or marshmallows. Serve immediately.
Note: If you are using an electric milk frother and making only one serving, whipping the mixture directly in the pan can get pretty messy (lots of splattering). Best to use a manual whisk for one serving on the stovetop method. Or use the electric milk frother when making multiple servings on the stovetop.
Notes:
Recipe can easily be doubled, tripled, quadrupled, or more by using the stovetop method!
Makes one 11-12 ounce serving.
VIDEO
How to Make Quick Hot Butterscotch (two ways)!
Blog Comments & Tips
A warm & cozy winter beverage!
This hot drink recipe is a delicious alternative to hot cocoa. When I want a quick warm beverage, this is one of my go-to drink recipes. Using the quick method, my Quick Hot Butterscotch takes only 5 minutes to make. I prefer the microwave method, because there is less clean up and it’s much quicker. When I want to make multiple servings, I use the stovetop method. Either way, my Step by Step Instructions above provide details on how to make either version.
Using only 5 ingredients, this recipe is made with milk, a touch of half & half to add some richness, butterscotch morsels, cinnamon, and vanilla. Top with toasted marshmallows for an extra special finish to this cozy drink. It’s the perfect drink for cold winter months. For those that want a dairy-free option, this recipe can be made with non-dairy milk and vegan butterscotch chips. Visit the Pimp My Recipe section below for details!
How do you ensure the best results from this recipe?
My 5 tips to making this yummy Quick Hot Butterscotch:
Use 2% milk plus half & half. Don’t use whole milk or non-fat milk, as it will throw off the balance of butterscotch flavor.
Don’t boil the milk. You want it to barely come to a simmer, and be hot but not scalding when you sip it. The best way to enjoy a hot beverage is to serve it between 165°F - 185°F.
Wait to add the vanilla until after the butterscotch mixture is completely heated through.
To get the best blend and consistency in this drink, use this electric milk frother. Although a whisk works fairly well, it doesn’t provide the level of froth that the electric milk frother provides.
Enjoy this drink with just a sprinkle of cinnamon on top, or add some marshmallows (mini are great in this drink if they are un-toasted). That first aroma of cinnamon really adds an additional sensory experience. My favorite way to serve this Quick Hot Butterscotch is with toasted marshmallows.
It’s time to customize and Pimp My Recipe.
Pimp My Recipe:
Make it Sweeter: You can make this drink sweeter and with a stronger butterscotch flavor by adding 3 tablespoons of butterscotch morsels instead.
Make it Dairy Free & Vegan: Replace the dairy milk and half & half with 8 ounces plus 1 tablespoon of unsweetened almond milk instead. Then use these vegan & dairy-free butterscotch chips instead of the butterscotch morsels.
Make it Boozy: Remove from heat, and stir in 1 tablespoon of rum.
Enjoy and let me know what you think by commenting below, rating my recipes, subscribing, following, and liking Pimp My Recipe on Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok! Don’t forget to subscribe to get updates on new recipes and tips & tricks.
Santé!
Mich
Footnote: Remember to bring the milk barely to a simmer, and don’t let it boil.
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