Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Buttermilk Caramel Syrup

Okay, if you long-time readers think you may be experiencing a little deja vu, that's because you are! I posted this recipe last year not too long after we started our blog. As we continue to bribe gain new readers, we want to highlight some of our favorite recipes from days gone by, especially when they're updated with new photos!

You're probably gagging just a little as you read this. Hear me out. I had this syrup at a bed and breakfast once and promptly came home to recreate it.  This is pure evil and so incredibly delicious that you'll never go back to Aunt Jemima. I suppose that's not an entirely fair comparison because this is caramel, not maple. But after this, you'll say, "Maple WHAT, now?"

You can put this on pancakes, waffles, French toast, ice cream, or eat it with a spoon. Admit it. You know you'll do it.

Buttermilk Syrup

3/4 c. buttermilk
1 1/2 c. sugar
1 stick real butter
2 Tbsp. corn syrup
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. vanilla

Combine buttermilk, sugar, butter, corn syrup, and baking soda in a LARGE pot. Like one you'd make soup in. Yes, you'll have way more pot than ingredients (and I'm not referring to the green leafy stuff), but this will boil all over your newly-cleaned stove if you put it in a smaller saucepan.


Bring ingredients to a boil and reduce heat to low (as long as it's still bubbling, you're okay). Cook, stirring very frequently, for 8-9 minutes. You're basically making candy here and candy-making requires constant vigilance.

When it's done, it should take on this luscious golden-brown color. Remove from heat and add vanilla.



There will be foam on top. It tastes just as good, but it's not super pretty. If you're into aesthetics, you can skim it off; otherwise, just give it a good stir.

Now eat it however you darn well please.







And this ain't just for breakfast, folks. Try it on ice cream over a chocolate waffle!

 




61 Click HERE to leave a comment:

Cami said...

I've made this before, but it was a little different. I boiled everything but the baking soda and vanilla together. Then removed from heat and added the baking soda and vanilla and stirred like crazy.

What difference does it make to boil the baking soda with everything else?

P.S. Hope you feel better soon. My daughter has the same thing, too. It's pretty miserable! (I'm really hoping it doesn't get passed around the fam.

Kate said...

Cami, I bet it would turn out great either way. The ONLY thing I can think of is the whole baking soda aftertaste thing; when I only cooked it for 7 minutes, I could still taste a hint of baking soda aftertaste, but when I cooked it a little longer, that went away. Maybe cooking it kills the taste? I dunno.

Jen said...

Pseudoephedrine may be a no-no, but Afrin is your friend, my friend.

This looks SO yummy! Hmm, I might foresee breakfast for dinner in my very immediate future.

And tell Sara that I'm STILL waiting for her caramel corn recipe :D

Shelley said...

sounds amazing to me! Can't wait to try it. I love your blog! Feel Better!

Sara said...

ooh, someone needs caramel corn?? You ask and I deliver, my friend! Lol. I'm always looking for an excuse to make a treat, so I'll whip some up and post in place of something coming up that I haven't made yet!

And this buttermilk syrup is so good. But I think the fact that it's called "syrup" is almost misleading. It's really a delicious caramel sauce. I made it the same day that I had made some homemade caramel sauce (the traditional way with caramelized sugar, heavy cream, and butter)and this buttermilk syrup tasted almost identical to it and is a lot easier to make. I like it on ice cream! Or on a spoon... ;)

Erin said...

Okay, so I'm almost ashamed to admit that in my 10 1/2 years of marriage I have never purchased buttermilk. Is there some wonderful world of buttermilk I am not aware of? What would I do with the rest of the quart (besides throw it away)? Also, does the rest of it (assuming there is any left) store well in the cupboard, or do you need to keep it in the fridge?

Kate said...

Ooooh, Erin, there's LOTS of yummy buttermilk stuff! I think it's kind of like liquid sour cream. I use it in cakes, pancakes, etc. You can also usually buy it in an 8-oz. container, so then you won't waste much. I bought a quart because I was planning on making pancakes with the other 3 c. of buttermilk. I have a recipe for buttermilk pancakes that I plan on posting someday, but I'll email it to you now if you want it. Just email me at thedailybite@gmail.com.

Kate said...

Oh, and you should keep the rest of the syrup in the fridge. :)

lynnette said...

Kate, I might have to try this recipe out at my B&B if that's ok. You're the best! Thanks!

Lisa said...

I will have to add that to my chocolate sauce recipe. Anything with a whole stick of real butter HAS to be good!

teeny said...

this syrup is so good. you can eat WITHOUT the waffle. i'm glad you're my daughter-in-law kate! love, teeny

rubyjade said...

Okay, I just tried this tonight, and YES, it is PURE EVIL. I seriously wanted to eat it like soup. Sooooooo good.

Manda said...

So I made this for brunch, and Katie is still licking her plate trying to get the rest of the syrup off, lol. It was yummy!

Thora said...

Ooooh, how would it be over baked pears? Now that sounds evil!

ThaifoodStyle said...

I wanna try.
Y u m
Y u m

Emily said...

Oh, that looks so good. Especially with ice cream on a chocolate waffle. I wish I had the energy to make it right now! I guess I'll just have to dream about it tonight :)

becca said...

I. LOVE. THIS. SAUCE.
My favorite way to eat it is probably on ice cream because you get the warm gooey bits with the cold chewy parts on the cold ice cream.
My other favorite is with whipped cream. Not on anything, just whipped cream and buttermilk syrup. Learned that one from my favorite 3 year old. What can I say? Ty is a genius.

Bunny said...

How big is a cube of butter?? A Tbls?? I want to make this, I never thought of putting it on waffles!!

Kate said...

Bunny--It's just a stick of butter (yes, the whole dang thing). I changed it to make it more clear! :)

Sara @ Our Best Bites said...

You know what's funny- the whole "cube of butter" must be a regional thing because we had that problem when I posted my peppermint brownies on Lolly's blog last winter. People were like, "What the heck is a 'cube' of butter??" and I thought it was the strangest thing ever, but I guess in some places no one refers to it as a cube! Interesting... this might have to be a future poll, lol.

And the syrup? Oh ya. So good. I'm liking Ty's idea of whipped cream and caramel. Sounds like my kid alright.

Mandy said...

Perfect! We had breakfast for dinner on the menu tonight. I can't wait!

stephchows said...

This looks so delicious! I don't think I've ever heard of something like it before!

Kara said...

This stuff is to die for! If any of you are skeptical about trying it, don't be. Every single person I have shared it with has LOVED it!

lorchick said...

I just tweeted this b/c it has my saliva production at an alltime high. I have this recipe for Buttermilk Pancakes that would combined with this just be me dying happy and fat and happpy. :D :D :D

the ungourmet said...

Now, that just sounds wonderfully warm, rich and delicious!

I would love to try it!

the ungourmet said...

It's me again. I have a question. Why is baking soda needed in this? I looked through and I don't think you explained but if you did sorry to have missed it.

Kate said...

You know, ungourmet, I don't know why it calls for baking soda. Where's Alton Brown when we need him?? My guess is that the chemical reaction it produces does something to improve the texture; you often see small amounts of baking soda in old-fashioned homemade candies like caramels and peanut brittle.

imajacobs said...

How do you think it would turn out if I substituted milk and lemon juice for the buttermilk?

Your timing is perfect as I have a loaf of Texas Toast waiting to become french toast!

Sara @ Our Best Bites said...

I don't know the technical mumbo-jumbo, but I'm pretty sure the baking soda has something to do with the acids and the ph level. I think it prevents crystallization. It's used often in caramel corn and things like that as well.

Imajacobs- I'm not so sure that substitution would work in this case. Don't ask me why, I just think it might come out with a different texture because of the thickness of buttermilk. I don't know though...

Kate said...

Yeah, I'm with Sara--my gut instinct says no subs in this recipe. Maybe that's just because I'm scared of changing anything when doing candy-ish stuff...

gigi said...

Wonderful stuff!

suzi said...

Kate,

We LOVE this recipe. I could eat the syrup by itself, it is that good. Yum! Steve made it again for me on Mother's Day because who knew I liked it that much. Thanks for sharing.

Adrienne said...

I just read your request on twitter for a cheesecake with a brownie base. My mom has a Philadelphia Cream Cheese cookbook FULL of cheesecakes and I believe there is one in there with a brownie base. email me if you are interested...adriekin@gmail.com

Stephanie said...

This looks really yummy. I always keep powdered buttermilk in the fridge for recipes like this or else my buttermilk goes bad. It works just as well - I've never noticed a difference! I can't wait to try this!

pigpigscorner said...

Yes, you've won me over!

Mary Kelly said...

SO good on blueberry pancakes!

Sherra said...

We (okay, my husband) made it this morning with the milk and lemon juice substitute for buttermilk and it was fabulous!! No worries with the substituting if you don't have buttermilk…

Sara @ Our Best Bites said...

Oh Sherra, that's so good to know. I really had my doubts about that- thanks for coming back to comment! (This however could be a very very bad thing since the one thing that keeps me from making this every day is that I rarely have buttermilk!)

Kevin said...

That syrup looks so caramely and good!

Michelle said...

This stuff is delicious!!! Just made it this weekend for our pancakes, and I have been having spoonfulls of it daily....so tasty! It's basically candy, but i like calling it buttermilk syrup so I can justify eating candy for breakfast. :-) And thanks for clarifying the need to use a large pot, so glad I did. I also use the powdered buttermilk so I can have it around all the time. Thanks for sharing your recipes, I love your blog!

The Nedrys said...

I have the powdered buttermilk...for those who did it that way, did it turn out? I am making breakfast for dinner tonight and may just give it a try if it works!

The Nedrys said...

Okay...I used the powdered buttermilk (powder that you just add to water to get buttermilk) and the syrup was amazing! I served it over my homemade belgian waffles and it was delicious! Thanks!

hot garlic said...

Oh my gosh, I totally have been making chocolate waffles at house. Jinx! I make them with whole-wheat flour since they are dark and the kids don't notice. Great ideas, as always guys! And photos, as always too.

Samantha said...

This syrup is very good I made it for dinner with pancakes my son loved it!!! I was wondering How long does it keep in the fridge?

Miriam said...

I'm just getting familiar with your blog and love it! I have a similar recipe and thought I'd mention that this syrup actually makes the easiest caramel corn. Just pour it over plain popped corn, pop it in a warm oven and stir frequently till it's how you like it (chewy or, I prefer crunchy).

Joy said...

For those of you who don't frequently use buttermilk, you can freeze it. I freeze any leftover buttermilk in 1 cup portions.

Karen said...

Made this last night and it's delicious! No baking soda taste at all for me. And yeah...I was eating it off the spoon...

Angela said...

Your banana ice cream, on a chocolate waffle with this carmel sauce sounds devine!

katship said...

I made this Buttermilk Syrup today and it's incredible! I mentioned to a neighbor that I was going to make "Buttermilk Syrup" and she said, "why? do you know how awful buttermilk tastes? and you are making a syrup?!

Little does she know it but she's getting a Christmas surprise, you got it, "OurBestBites" Buttermilk Syrup and when she raves about this great carmel topping I will then inform her it's "that Buttermilk Syrup" you said would be awful!

Keep these wonderful recipes coming because I tell everyone I know about your site!

amandaginn said...

I am planning to give this as a Christmas gift, but I am concerned since the buttermilk I purchased is dated for 12/23.

Does that date affect the shelf life of the syrup?

Jen said...

Kate--just in case you see this before cafemom...how much does this make? I want to have 2 jars (plus maybe some for myself)--like you have in your Christmas gift idea post--so will I need to double the recipe?

Kate @ Our Best Bites said...

Hey, Jen--I doubled it last night and came out with 7 8-oz. jars. Hope that helps!!

Kate @ Our Best Bites said...

Amanda--That's definitely tough to say! I'm no food scientist, and I can't say for sure, but I tend to think it would be okay because buttermilk is generally cultured, so instead of it going sour like milk, it's more likely to just get a little more tangy (at least at first), kind of like yogurt or sour cream gone past its date a little. I also think cooking it and all the sugar may help a little. Obviously, you don't want to keep it too long past the 23rd, but I don't think a couple of days will kill anyone. Please don't sue me if someone comes down with rotavirus... :)

Jen said...

Yum! Just finished making this tonight. I don't think I ended up with quite as much as you Kate w/ doubling it--I have 2 pint jars full to about 1 in. from top and maybe another 1/2 pint jar.

As far as gift giving--I need to tell them to refrigerate it, but what about when they want to use it...can they reheat it, or is is good cold? And how long can they keep it in the fridge?

Thanks! You guys are the best!

Kate @ Our Best Bites said...

Jen, I'd definitely tell them to heat it up or at least serve it at room temperature. And I'd say it keeps about 7-10 days in the fridge...

Jenn in GA said...

i just made this and it's uber fantabulous!!! my husband's birthday is today, and i made a chocolate cake that i'm going to serve with vanilla ice cream. i'm trying to decide if i feel like sharing this with our guests or keeping it for ourselves! thanks for sharing--i'd rename it caramel sauce. by keeping the name buttermilk syrup, though, you hide it from those who might want something caramel!

Scott's Misiz said...

Today is the first day I've seen this blog site, my cousin emailed the buttermilk pancake recipe to me which lead me here to the buttermilk syrup recipe. It sounds really good! I have a great bread pudding recipe that I think would go fantastic with this syrup for a change. The other sauce is a whiskey sauce and I feel funny taking it to church functions because inevitably someone asks me for the recipe. :)

Mathmom and family said...

Just had to comment about our great experience with this syrup. First, it is the only syrup I have ever liked on pancakes. That alone is a miracle, but let me tell you how to go over the edge with this stuff. I poured it warm over homemade vanilla ice cream and sprinkled it with fleur de sel. OH MY HECK!! It instantly became salted caramel ice cream. I love you now.

Thomas said...

I have been using this recipe for years and my kids love it on German pancakes. The salty sweet taste is very addicting.

ificould said...

A.MAZ.ING. Made this for breakfast this morning along with your buttermilk pancakes- SO good!! I'm featuring the recipes tomorrow. Thanks!!

Meg said...

This is a great recipe. I even made it VEGAN and it was amazing. Just made my own buttermilk using soy milk with some lemon and then used Earth Balance non dairy/non hydrogenated butter. So yummy!

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