For a party platter, you may want small treats that guests can pick up; for a sit-down dinner, a warm dessert with a spoon can feel just right. A recipe made with butterscotch chips can take either direction, with their sweet, caramel-like flavor doing much of the work.
The recipes below use butterscotch morsels in three ways: crunchy no-bake clusters, a warm fruit dessert, and a simple dessert sauce. Choose according to your available time and the way you plan to serve, then check the package if your guests have dietary needs.
Butterscotch Chip Recipes for Different Occasions
These butterscotch chip recipes give you a little range without asking you to make a pastry dough. The clusters need time to chill; the baked apples need oven time; the sauce is best made just before serving. Each can be scaled up for a larger table, provided you have enough tray or oven space.
Before you choose a butterscotch chips recipe, taste one chip. Some brands are very sweet, so a pinch of salt or a tart apple can provide a pleasant balance. With butterscotch chips, recipes also benefit from a little attention to heat: melt the chips gently and stir often, since they can scorch or turn grainy if overheated.
No-Bake Crunchy Clusters
Choose these for a buffet, a birthday party, or a treat box. This batch makes approximately 72 tablespoon-sized clusters, or 24 servings of three. Allow about 15 minutes to assemble them, plus chilling time.
You’ll need:
- 1 2/3 cups butterscotch chips, about an 11-ounce package
- 3/4 cup creamy peanut butter
- 8.5 ounces crisp chow mein noodles
- 3 1/2 cups miniature marshmallows
Line two trays with wax paper or parchment. Put the chips in a large microwave-safe bowl and heat at 70% power for one minute. Stir, even if they still look whole; if needed, heat for another 10 to 15 seconds at a time, stirring between bursts, just until melted. Stir in the peanut butter, then gently fold in the noodles and marshmallows until coated.
Drop rounded tablespoons onto the trays and refrigerate until firm. Keep them chilled until serving, then arrange them on a platter with a little space between pieces. This method and the proportions are adapted from Nestlé’s haystacks. For vegan guests, use vegan chips and marshmallows, and check the noodles and peanut butter too. Label the peanuts for guests with allergies.
Baked Apples With a Butterscotch Center
For a cozy meal, serve one apple per guest, warm from the oven. The fruit softens around a sweet center, so you need only a spoon and perhaps a scoop of vanilla ice cream. This version serves four.
You’ll need:
- 4 medium firm apples, such as Granny Smith or Honeycrisp
- 1/4 cup butterscotch chips
- 1/4 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup water for the baking dish
Heat the oven to 375°F. Core the apples, leaving the bottoms intact, and place them in a small baking dish. Mix the chips, nuts, and cinnamon, then divide the mixture among the cavities. Pour the water into the bottom of the dish, not over the filling. Bake for 30 to 45 minutes, until a knife slides easily into the fruit; larger apples may need longer. Let them stand for five minutes before serving, as the centers will be hot.
Spoon a little of the pan juice over each apple. If you are preparing recipes with butterscotch chips for a mixed group, offer dairy-free ice cream alongside the regular kind and label both. Check that the chips themselves suit the guests you’re serving.
A Warm Sauce for Sundaes
A small saucepan of sauce turns plain ice cream, sliced bananas, or a simple cake into a build-your-own dessert. This makes about 3/4 cup, enough for roughly six modest drizzles.
Warm 1/2 cup heavy cream over low heat until steaming, then remove it from the heat. Add 3/4 cup butterscotch chips and let them sit for a minute. Stir until smooth, returning the pan to very low heat briefly if needed. A pinch of salt helps offset the sweetness. Cool for a few minutes before spooning it over ice cream; the sauce thickens as it cools.
For a plant-based version, use vegan chips and a full-fat dairy-free cream suitable for heating. Warm gently and stir until combined. Since different products vary in thickness, add a teaspoon of warm cream at a time if you want a thinner drizzle.
Check the Package and Plan the Table
Some chips contain milk ingredients, including butter, milk powder, or whey. Read the ingredient list and allergen statement on the particular package, and look for a vegan designation if that suits your guests. A product may also carry a shared-equipment advisory; ask guests with allergies what they need. Marshmallows may contain gelatin, and toppings such as cream and ice cream need their own checks.
For recipes using butterscotch chips, think through the other ingredients as carefully as the morsels. Keep nut-containing items separate and provide individual serving spoons. If you prepare a dairy-free sauce, use a clean pan and utensils and label the finished bowl.
Of these recipes featuring butterscotch chips, choose clusters when you want a make-ahead finger food. Choose apples when guests will be seated and you can use the oven close to dessert. Choose the warm drizzle when you already have ice cream or cake and want to finish it at the table. With these chip-based butterscotch desserts, a quick check of the setting and your guests’ needs will settle the choice.
