Vanilla Butter Syrup Recipe (Dutch Honey) (2024)

Dutch Honey Syrup is a family tradition on my maternal side. An easy homemade syrup recipe, that we’ve always referred to as Dutch Honey, but is more commonly called Vanilla Butter Syrup, blonde butter syrup, vanilla butter syrup, buttermilk syrup, cream syrup and sometimes just vanilla syrup.

Vanilla Butter Syrup Recipe (Dutch Honey) (1)

It’s funny because it doesn’t contain honey or buttermilk… it also almost the same as maple cream, but no maple.

The only thing I can tell you with 100% certainty is that you and your family will soon start to crave it. It is that good. It is an an easy sweet syrup for fluffy pancakes, waffles, French toast, German pancakes, biscuits or even vanilla ice cream! I also use it as a simple syrup between cake layers or for poke cakes.

While I generally reserve it for special occassions, it is a great option when real maple syrup isn’t available (or you just ran out!) for your favorite pancakes.

Vanilla Butter Syrup Recipe (Dutch Honey) (2)

What You’ll Need

Basic ingredients combine to make the ultimate of sweet sauces.

  • White sugar– We use white in our version, but another fun variation is to use light brown sugar or dark brown sugar and get molasses undertones.
  • Heavy cream- On the actual handwritten recipe card, it states to use table cream. Heavy cream or heavy whipping cream (there is a slight difference in fat content) can be used.
  • Salted butter – Salt in this case helps brighten the other flavors. If using unsalted butter, add just a dash of coarse Kosher salt.
  • Vanilla extract– Provides flavor. The higher quality the extract, the more robust flavor. If you want a really intense, next level vanilla flavor, try using vanilla bean paste.
  • Baking Soda– This is something I’ve started to add over the years, but isn’t in the original recipe. The reaction between the acid and the baking soda creates tiny air pockets resulting in asoft velvety syrup that won’t get too dense when cooled. A small quality won’t impact the flavor.

Some recipes use light corn syrup, but ours just melts white sugar.

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How to Make Vanilla Butter Syrup

Making this sauce is super easy! You can make it ahead of time and it is also freezer friendly.

  1. Use a heavy bottom saucepan for best consistent and controlled heat. Combine the sugar, cream, butter and vanilla extract.
  2. Heat to medium heat, stirring with a wooden spoon. Using a wooden spoon prevents sticking. Keep an eye on it- dairy and sugar based sauces have the tendency to boil over fast if not kept at a low, steady heat. Heat until the sugar dissolves.
  3. Reduce a simmer and continue to stir until it thickens, 5-10 minutes. The mixture will thicken further when cool, so just make sure it coats the back of your wooden spoon.
  4. Right before removing from the heat, stir in the baking soda, making sure it incorporates well.
  5. Pour hot syrup over your favorite sweet breakfast foods.
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Storage

Vanilla butter syrup can be served warm right off the stove or made ahead. Store any syrup you intend to eat that week in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Bring to room temperature to serve.

It can also be frozen in an airtight container, jarred or canned. Although I am not an expert canning, so I will not pretend to give you those instructions. Here is a great tutorial.

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Variations

Combine with fresh fruits or use any extract in place of vanilla to give it your own edge. Almond extract, lemon or even maple extract make for fun customizations.

A couple of my other favorite homemade syrup recipes are Homemade Blueberry Syrup, Apple Cider and also Cranberry Syrup.

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What to Serve with Vanilla Butter Syrup

  • Blueberry Cream Cheese Coffee Cake
  • English Scones
  • Classic Waffles with 13 Variations
  • Raspberry White Chocolate Pancakes
  • Ricotta Blueberry Pancakes

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Vanilla Butter Syrup Recipe (Dutch Honey) (10)

Dutch Honey Syrup (Vanilla Butter Syrup Recipe)

4.26 from 109 votes

Dutch Honey Syrup Recipe is an easy homemade syrup for pancakes, waffles, French toast, biscuits or even vanilla ice cream!

Cook Time: 15 minutes mins

Total Time: 15 minutes mins

Servings: 12

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Ingredients

  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup salted butter
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda

Instructions

  • In a heavy bottom saucepan, combine the sugar, cream, butter and vanilla extract.

  • Heat to a low boil, stirring with a wooden spoon.

  • Reduce to simmer and continue to stir until it thickens (about 5-10 minutes). Right before removing from the heat, stir in the baking soda until dissolved.

  • Serve immediately or allow to cool and refrigerate.

  • Did you try it? Let us know how it went in the comments section or star ratings!

Video

Notes

It will stay refrigerated for about a week. It also freezes well.

Nutrition

Calories: 201 kcal, Carbohydrates: 17 g, Fat: 15 g, Saturated Fat: 9 g, Cholesterol: 47 mg, Sodium: 8 mg, Potassium: 14 mg, Sugar: 16 g, Vitamin A: 530 IU, Vitamin C: 0.1 mg, Calcium: 15 mg

Author: Jessica Formicola

Calories: 201

Course: Breakfast, Condiment, Sauce

Cuisine: American

Keyword: cream syrup, dutch honey, homemade syrup, vanilla syrup

Did you make this recipe?I’d love to see your recipes – snap a picture and mention @savoryexperiments or tag #savoryexperiments!

Vanilla Butter Syrup Recipe (Dutch Honey) (2024)

FAQs

How long does homemade honey syrup last? ›

Add the honey and water into a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir until the honey is dissolved. Allow to cool and transfer to an airtight container. Syrup will keep, refrigerated, for up to 1 month.

How to store dutch honey? ›

Honey keeps best in a dry place at a cool temperature between 50 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Keep it in a tightly covered container so it does not absorb moisture or odors from the air.

Can I use vanilla syrup to replace vanilla extract? ›

Vanilla coffee syrup – Use as a 1:1 substitute for vanilla extract. Vanilla coffee creamer – Use as a 1:1 substitute or double the amount of coffee creamer as extract. Spices, espresso powder – Feel free to think outside of the box and go with a completely different flavor than vanilla.

Is 2 to 1 honey syrup shelf stable? ›

Honey syrup has a good shelf life. Honey syrup that is a one to one ratio (as is described here) has a one month shelf life if stored in a clean airtight container in the refrigerator. Syrup that is a 2 to 1 ratio has a six week shelf life if stored in a clean airtight container in the refrigerator.

Why does honey 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.

Can honey go bad? ›

Honey does not spoil, however for best quality, the USDA recommends storing honey for up to 12 months,” Amidor says. “After that time, it remains safe but the quality may not be as good. If the honey becomes cloudy, crystallized or solidified this is not a food safety concern.”

Why honey Cannot be refrigerated? ›

If bacteria cannot grow in honey, then it cannot spoil. This basically gives it an indefinite shelf life. Liquid honey however should be stored in your cupboard at room temperature as if it is kept in the refrigerator; the cooler temperature will promote and speed up the crystallization of liquid honey.

Does fermented honey go bad? ›

You could rely on your senses to determine if the mixture has gone bad. First is the nose test -- sour or rancid smells are a sure sign that it's time to toss your batch of fermented garlic honey. Then comes the eye test -- if you see mold or unusual cloudiness, toss it.

What happens if I don't use vanilla extract in a recipe? ›

If you don't have any on hand, you can almost always omit the vanilla without impacting the final texture of your baked goods; although the rich flavor extract—or any form of vanilla—brings will certainly be altered. Just remember one thing: flavor comes first.

What happens if you use imitation vanilla instead of vanilla extract? ›

For most oven–based recipes, such as cookies, cakes, brownies, cupcakes and tarts, it's near impossible to tell the difference between imitation and pure vanilla extract. Therefore, using a 1:1 swap will work just fine.

What if I don't have enough vanilla extract? ›

Maple syrup

Many people like to use maple syrup as a replacement for vanilla, using 1 tablespoon (15 mL) of syrup for each 1 tablespoon (15 mL) of extract. To some, the scent and the hint of sweetness from maple syrup are reminiscent of vanilla.

Is 2 year old syrup still good? ›

The refrigerator will stop mold from growing for up to 2 years and that is long enough for most people to use the bottle. If you have more than two years worth, put the excess in the freezer. Here it can be store indefinitely. Sometimes you may see some sugar crystals form in the bottom of the syrup container.

Does syrup ever spoil? ›

So does syrup ever go bad? The short answer is technically no, syrup does not expire and you can keep an unopened container of the stuff on your shelf indefinitely. That's due to the high sugar content of pure maple syrup, according to the experts at Ben's Sugar Shack, which produces syrup in New Hampshire.

Does honey syrup need to be refrigerated after opening? ›

Bottle and store in a refrigerator.

Does homemade honey syrup need to be refrigerated? ›

Due to the above, you should only mix enough syrup to last a few days and ideally, you should store your syrup in a refrigerator.

How long does homemade syrup last in the fridge? ›

Infused simple syrups are good for around three months, according to Saveur, although they also suggest giving the syrup a sniff test to make sure it still smells good. Syrups that incorporate juices or purees, however, will only last around two or three weeks.

How long does homemade syrup last? ›

that we made into a syrup. But in general, if you have equal parts sugar and water, it's gonna be about two to four weeks refrigerated. So when we're not using the syrups, we do refrigerate them.

Can you refrigerate honey simple syrup? ›

Heat 2 parts honey to 1 part hot water in a saucepan over medium-low heat until the mixture reaches a simmer. Remove from heat and cool. Store at room temperature or refrigerate as desired. Lasts 4 weeks in the refrigerator.

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