How much butterscotch should you add to a cake? Well my triple butterscotch pound cake has butterscotch batter, butterscotch chips baked inside, and a totally addictive browned butter butterscotch glaze drizzled on top.
Butterscotch lovers rejoice! This cake is for you. 
Today’s recipe would not be possible without the assistance of one of my lovely readers, Janet Ligas. Janet was so kind to remind me that I had mentioned this recipe on the blog, but had never gotten around to actually posting the recipe. I’m so glad that she took the time to ask about it because it would be a shame to not share this cake. 
You know what’s nice about pound cakes? You don’t have to decorate them up fancy at all and everybody still loves them. I like to bake my pound cakes into loaves, which then prompts lots of people to call it bread. Y’all that just frustrates me. There is such a thing as loaf cake. And besides, you know why I bake my pound cakes into loaves? So I can have one at home for my family to eat and have one to give to someone else! (This makes me sound like I’m a nice person, but really I’ve just been baking so much I had to go buy bigger pants. TRUE STORY! So it’s not really as selfless as it sounds.)
There’s a few key things you’ll want to know when you make this butterscotch pound cake.
- The cake batter is super thick and will need to be spread evenly in the pan.
- The butterscotch chips must be layered in between two layers of batter or they will sink to the bottom of your cake, cause them to burn, and make the bottom of your cake stick to the pan.
- The measurements for the glaze are a little different than most glazes, namely there’s a lot less powdered sugar. This is because the butterscotch chips help it to thicken and set up.
A last note here, browning butter is not scary. I’m sure some people will go ooooh browned butter butterscotch glaze, that sounds too hard. But really, all you need to do to brown butter is put the butter in a pan on the stove on medium heat for about 8-10 minutes and stir it occasionally. Browned butter adds so much flavor to this glaze! Once you try it you’ll be hooked.
Triple Butterscotch Pound Cake
Triple butterscotch pound cake has butterscotch batter, butterscotch chips baked inside, and a totally addictive browned butter butterscotch glaze drizzled on top.
Ingredients
For the cake:
- 3 cups unbleached all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- pinch of salt
- 1 1/3 cups granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup butter, softened to room temp
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 large eggs
- 2 boxes instant butterscotch pudding
- 1 1/3 cups buttermilk
- 1/4 cup butterscotch chips
For the Glaze:
- 1/4 cup butter
- 2 heaping Tablespoons butterscotch chips
- 1 Tablespoon milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- Grease and flour 2 loaf pans.
- In a medium bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together 3/4 cup butter, sugar, and vanilla until light and fluffy. Add the eggs to the mixture, beating in one at a time. Then add in both boxes of pudding mix and beat well until blended, scraping down the sides and bottom of bowl as needed.
- Mix in the flour mixture and the buttermilk alternately, starting and ending with the flour.
- Fill each loaf pan to about 1 1/4 inch full of cake batter. Sprinkle the butterscotch chips over the batter and top with remaining cake batter.
- Bake for 45-55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.
- Cool the cakes on wire racks for 10 minutes, then remove from pans and cool completely.
- To make the glaze: Heat 1/4 cup butter over medium heat for about 10 minutes or until browned.
- Pour the butter into a small mixing bowl, leaving the browned sediment in the pan. While the butter is still hot, whisk in 2 heaping Tablespoons of butterscotch chips until completely melted and smooth.
- Add the milk and vanilla and whisk again.
- Lastly add the powdered sugar and whisk until completely dissolved and smooth. Drizzle over the cakes.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 16 Serving Size: 16 ServingsAmount Per Serving: Calories: 352
Marie
Sunday 3rd of December 2023
I would like to make this cake and freeze it for holiday gifts for my neighbors, should I freeze it with the icing or wait until I am getting ready to gift it? Thank you.
Amy D
Wednesday 27th of December 2023
I'm sorry I am getting to your question so late! But I would wait until you are getting ready to gift it.
Nupur
Wednesday 3rd of March 2021
Hey hope you’re keeping well and safe. Thankyou for sharing this recipe. I was wondering if there is a household replacement for the butterscotch instant pudding? Thankyou 😊
Amy D
Thursday 4th of March 2021
Hi Nupur,
Thanks for your question. If you have access to any kind of instant pudding mix, you could try using vanilla in the place of the butterscotch. Otherwise, I don't know of any replacement that I think would work well. There are DIY instant pudding mix recipes on the internet, but I wouldn't recommend trying those in this.
Sorry I couldn't be of more assistance! Amy D.
Tamara
Monday 15th of August 2016
I wish "discipline" weren't my middle name. ;-) I don't eat very many sweets, but the butterscotch in this one is certainly calling my name! You're right, pound cakes don't require decoration, and are usually better tasting than their fancy counterparts...
Nupur Mehra
Monday 15th of August 2016
I have never tried browned butter frosting before. Your words of praise and recommendation are tempting me jump out of my bed and make it right away. I wish I could. *Sigh*
Lovely pictures, especially the first one.
Kushi
Monday 15th of August 2016
This cake looks so gorgeous and delicious. Wish I could grab a slice right now!
Amy D
Monday 15th of August 2016
Thanks so much Kushi!