Homemade Buttermilk Syrup Recipe - I Heart Naptime (2024)

Homemade Buttermilk Syrup Recipe - I Heart Naptime (1)

Jamielyn Nye
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This homemade buttermilk syrup has a rich and creamy caramel flavor that makes your pancakes taste heavenly! It’s easy to whip up with 5 ingredients in 10 minutes.

We love to serve this syrup on breakfast recipes like Swedish pancakes, easy banana pancakes and Belgian waffles.

Homemade Buttermilk Syrup Recipe - I Heart Naptime (2)

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Table of Contents

  • Homemade Buttermilk Syrup
  • What is Buttermilk Syrup?
  • 5 Simple Ingredients
  • How to Make Buttermilk Syrup
  • Caramel Version
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Storage
  • Favorite Ways to Use it:
  • Buttermilk Syrup Printable Recipe

Homemade Buttermilk Syrup

If you’ve never made your own syrup, you have to try it ASAP! It’s SO much better than store-bought syrup and literally tastes like liquid gold. Some of my other favorites to make at home are maple syrup, caramel sauce and hot fudge sauce.

I grew up on this buttermilk syrup recipe and it’s one of my favorites to make anytime we have guests over for brunch. My family calls it liquid gold and it only takes 5 ingredients and 10 minutes to make.

This buttermilk syrup will take your breakfast to a whole new level! We love to serve it on top of buttermilk pancakes, French toast and even homemade ice cream. Absolutely delicious!

What is Buttermilk Syrup?

If you’ve never made buttermilk syrup before, you are missing out! It is a syrup variation that has a rich, caramel flavor that tastes absolutely amazing! It’s almost like a caramel sauce, but lighter and not as thick. It’s perfect to use on pancakes, waffles, french toast and more.

5 Simple Ingredients

Homemade Buttermilk Syrup Recipe - I Heart Naptime (3)

Find the fullprintable recipewith specific measurements below.

  • Sugar: You’ll need granulated sugar for this recipe. It gives the syrup the perfect amount of sweetness.
  • Butter: Adding butter really helps to create that rich, caramel flavor. Use salted butter.
  • Buttermilk: I like to make my own homemade buttermilk. It only takes 10 minutes!
  • Baking soda: This reacts with the acid to create air bubbles, which gives the syrup a smoother texture.
  • Vanilla extract: I love the added flavor that vanilla extract gives the buttermilk syrup!

How to Make Buttermilk Syrup

Homemade Buttermilk Syrup Recipe - I Heart Naptime (4)
  • Cook buttermilk, sugar and butter. Combine buttermilk, sugar and butter in a large pot or saucepan over medium heat, stirring frequently.
  • Turn heat to low and cook until golden yellow. Once the mixture comes to a light boil, turn the heat to medium low and cook for 3 more minutes, or until it turns a golden yellow color.
  • Stir in baking soda and vanilla.Remove immediately from the heat and stir in the baking soda and vanilla.
  • Serve. Serve warm over pancakes while warm.

TIP:This syrup will foam up A LOT (especially after you add the baking soda and vanilla), so make sure to use a large soup pot. The foam is the best part, so don’t skim it off! The bubbles will settle down after sitting at room temperature for a few minutes.

Caramel Version

To turn this into a thicker caramel syrup, add a Tablespoon of Karo syrup in with the butter. Allow the syrup to cook for 3-5 minutes, stirring frequently. Once it turns a nice caramel color, remove from heat and stir in the baking soda and vanilla.

Homemade Buttermilk Syrup Recipe - I Heart Naptime (5)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is buttermilk syrup made of?

This recipe is made with 5 simple ingredients: with butter, sugar, buttermilk, baking soda and vanilla.

How to make your own buttermilk?

Add 1/2 Tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice to 1/2 cup milk. Let it sit for 5 minutes or until it has become sour.

Where did buttermilk syrup originate?

This recipe originated in Utah at a restaurant called Magleby’s.

Storage

This buttermilk syrup will keep for up to 2 weeks if stored in a closed jar in the fridge. When ready to use, heat in the microwave in 30-second increments until the syrup is warm.

Homemade Buttermilk Syrup Recipe - I Heart Naptime (6)

Favorite Ways to Use it:

  • Pancakes: Best homemade pancakes orchocolate chip pancakes
  • Specialty pancakes: Like these German pancakes
  • Waffles: Classic waffles or seasonal variations like pumpkin waffles
  • French Toast: Classic french toast or french bread french toast
  • Ice Cream: Vanilla ice cream or even a banana split

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Homemade Buttermilk Syrup Recipe - I Heart Naptime (7)

Buttermilk Syrup

5 from 16 votes

↑ Click stars to rate now!

Author: Jamielyn Nye

Amazing homemade buttermilk syrup with a rich, caramel flavor. Only 5 ingredients and 10 minutes to make. Perfect for pancakes, waffles, french toast and more!

Prep Time: 2 minutes mins

Cook Time: 8 minutes mins

Total Time: 10 minutes mins

Servings: 16

PrintPin

Video

Ingredients

  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • ½ cup salted butter
  • ½ cup buttermilk
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  • Combine buttermilk, sugar and butter in a large pot over medium heat, stirring frequently.

  • Once it comes to a light boil, turn the heat to medium low and cook for 1 more minute. If you want it more of a thicker caramel sauce, cook up to 3 minutes.

  • Remove immediately from the heat and stir in the baking soda and vanilla. Serve over pancakes while warm.

  • Store in a closed jar in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. Warm in the microwave in 30-second increments until the syrup is warm.

Notes

Tip: Use a pot bigger than you think because this syrup will bubble up while cooking.

To turn this into a thicker caramel syrup, add 2 Tablespoons of Karo syrup in with the butter. Allow the syrup to cook for 5-8 minutes, stirring frequently. Once it turns a nice caramel color, remove from heat and stir in the baking soda and vanilla.

Nutrition

Calories: 104kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 16mg | Sodium: 92mg | Potassium: 10mg | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 190IU | Calcium: 10mg

Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.

Course: Condiment

Cuisine: American

Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!

Categorized as: American, Breakfast, Condiments, Stovetop, Toppings

Homemade Buttermilk Syrup Recipe - I Heart Naptime (8)

Jamielyn Nye is the founder and recipe creator at I Heart Naptime. She is also the author of the I Heart Naptime Cookbook. Here you will find easy family-friendly recipes for every occasion.

More about Jamielyn Nye

9 comments

    • Shannon Graham
    • Homemade Buttermilk Syrup Recipe - I Heart Naptime (9)

    I’ve never heard of buttermilk syrup before! Wow, so delicious! Especially for pancakes!

      • Chrissie Baker
      • Homemade Buttermilk Syrup Recipe - I Heart Naptime (10)

      it’s look awesome and i love buttermilk as well. i will trying to make this syrup for my child. Thanks for sharing…!

        • Catalina
        • Homemade Buttermilk Syrup Recipe - I Heart Naptime (11)

        I am so glad that I can make this syrup at home now! Sounds perfect!

          • Katerina
          • Homemade Buttermilk Syrup Recipe - I Heart Naptime (12)

          Oh wow, this sounds amaaazing!! I can’t wait to try it!!

            • Michelle
            • Homemade Buttermilk Syrup Recipe - I Heart Naptime (13)

            Buttermilk syrup is our favorite at our local pancake joint, so yummy!

              • Dorothy Reinhold
              • Homemade Buttermilk Syrup Recipe - I Heart Naptime (14)

              So good! I have never had the pleasure of trying this liquid gold! I can’t believe it only has 5 ingredients and takes so little time. Win!

                • Susan

                I found you from a pin image on Pinterest and signed up for your email list and then followed in Instagram.

                  • Allison
                  • Homemade Buttermilk Syrup Recipe - I Heart Naptime (15)

                  I want to put this on everything! So tasty! Thanks for sharing.

                      • Jamielyn Nye

                      I’m so happy to hear you love it! I could definitely eat this syrup by the spoonful!

                    Homemade Buttermilk Syrup Recipe - I Heart Naptime (2024)

                    FAQs

                    How can I make my own buttermilk? ›

                    For every 1 cup of milk, stir in 1 tablespoon lemon juice or vinegar. Let the mixture stand for 10 minutes. You can scale the recipe up or down depending on how much you need.

                    How long does buttermilk syrup last in the fridge? ›

                    How Long Will Buttermilk Syrup Last? Store it in a jar or airtight container, and place in the fridge. Buttermilk syrup will stay good, for about 1-2 weeks in the fridge. Reheat buttermilk syrup in the microwave or on the stove top.

                    What kind of vinegar for buttermilk? ›

                    Fresh or bottled lemon juice OR distilled white vinegar will work equally well. Whichever you choose, this ingredient is the acid that will change your milk into buttermilk.

                    Can I use heavy cream to make buttermilk? ›

                    Buttermilk is typically thick and creamy, this recipe can be made with milk, heavy cream, or half and half depending on how thick you'd like your buttermilk to be. All will work well in many recipes no matter what type of milk you choose to use.

                    What is the process of making buttermilk? ›

                    Cultured buttermilk is produced from low-fat or skimmed milk and has a stable shelf-life of about 4 weeks. It is fermented with a DL culture and the fermentation takes place at approximately 22 °C for about 20 h. This temperature is well below the optimum temperature of 30 °C for both lactococci and leuconostocs.

                    Can you use regular milk to make buttermilk? ›

                    You can use any kind of milk, but if your recipe calls for a certain type of buttermilk — such as low fat — it may be best to use a similar type of milk to make a substitute. To make 1 cup (240 mL) of buttermilk substitute, add 1 tablespoon (15 mL) of vinegar to a liquid measuring cup.

                    What makes syrup go bad? ›

                    This is the same reason why honey never expires; bacteria have a hard time growing in these high-sugar, low-moisture environments. But one difference between honey and syrup is that syrup can get moldy after the container's been opened. This is because it has been exposed to mold spores in the air.

                    Does homemade syrup go bad? ›

                    Unflavored syrup can be made in advance and stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a month. However, flavored syrups (especially fruit-flavored) should be used within 2 weeks of when they're made. I usually keep mine in a mason jar but any airtight container with a good lid will work great.

                    Why does my buttermilk syrup separate? ›

                    Separation in buttermilk syrup can happen when the ingredients are at different temperatures or because it wasn't mixed enough. The syrup might split into layers with fat (from the butter) floating on top and a sugary base below.

                    What does baking soda do to buttermilk? ›

                    The soda has another important role in recipes with buttermilk. It neutralizes the sour taste of the milk. Thus I proportion my soda to neutralize the buttermilk (1/4 tsp. soda per cup of milk.)

                    Can I use sour cream instead of buttermilk? ›

                    Yes, you can substitute sour cream! Thin it with milk or water to get the right consistency. For each cup of buttermilk needed, use 3/4 cup sour cream and 1/4 cup liquid. Editor's Tip: Sour cream has a higher fat content, so this will result in richer-tasting foods.

                    What can I use if I don't have buttermilk? ›

                    6 best buttermilk substitutes
                    • Milk and lemon juice. ...
                    • Milk and vinegar. ...
                    • Plain yogurt and milk. ...
                    • Soured cream. ...
                    • Cultured buttermilk powder. ...
                    • Kefir.

                    Can I use half-and-half to make buttermilk? ›

                    Can you use any type of milk when you make your own buttermilk? Yes! Technically you can use any type, but we recommend skipping the skim milk. For the best results, use anything from 2% to half-and-half.

                    Why is my homemade buttermilk so thick? ›

                    Homemade Buttermilk Is Actually “Soured Milk”

                    Unfortunately, given the limited quantity of vinegar that you can add without negatively affecting flavor, the milk can only get so thick.

                    Can you whip buttermilk? ›

                    Combine the heavy cream, buttermilk and powdered sugar in a large bowl and beat with an electric mixer on low until firm peaks form. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.

                    Is homemade buttermilk the same as store-bought buttermilk? ›

                    Store-bought buttermilk is thicker, tangier, and more acidic than traditional or homemade buttermilk. If you're preparing a recipe that calls for buttermilk, it's best to stick with store-bought, especially in baked goods that depend on precise leavening.

                    Is buttermilk just yogurt and water? ›

                    Plain Yogurt + Water

                    Whisk a bit of milk or water into plain unsweetened yogurt until you get a buttermilk-like consistency. The proportion will depend on the thickness of your yogurt, but generally, you'll use about ¼ cup water plus ¾ cup yogurt to equal 1 cup of buttermilk.

                    Does homemade buttermilk taste better? ›

                    Homemade Buttermilk Is Actually “Soured Milk”

                    Unfortunately, given the limited quantity of vinegar that you can add without negatively affecting flavor, the milk can only get so thick. Homemade sour milk is indeed much thinner than commercial buttermilk and tends to have a vinegary taste.

                    References

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