Butterscotch Cake for Two
A butterscotch cake makes the perfect Valentine’s Day dessert for two. Rich and buttery with the flavor of butterscotch from the brown sugar. The best part is that it takes just 10 minutes to prep and 25 minutes to bake.
Sometimes, all you need is a small, indulgent cake to satisfy a craving without leftovers. This butterscotch cake for two is rich, buttery, and full of caramelized brown sugar goodness—perfect for a date night, a cozy afternoon treat, or simply when you want cake without the commitment of a full-sized one.
I made this butterscotch cake for two on a quiet evening for my husband and me, just craving something sweet but not an entire cake. As it baked, the warm aroma of buttery brown sugar and vanilla filled our kitchen, making the moment feel extra cozy. When I drizzled the butterscotch glaze over the soft cake, we couldn’t wait to dig in. We sat together, sharing bites straight from the plate, savoring the rich, caramelized flavor. It was simple, sweet, and just enough for the two of us—one of those little moments that make ordinary days feel special.
Why make this cake
- It is a simple and delicious recipe that takes no time at all to come together.
- In addition, most of the ingredients in this recipe are easy to find or simple pantry staples.
- The recipe is a small batch for just two and is meant for you and your Valentine. Of course, if you need to make more servings, then I recommend using my 6-inch butterscotch layer cake recipe instead.
Ingredients and substitutes
- Muscovado Sugar – You want to use good-quality muscovado sugar, not just any brown sugar. The depth and intensity of the muscovado’s flavor give this cake a butterscotch flavor and aroma!!
- Egg – I have always made this rich and flavorful. If you need to make this eggless, you can also substitute 2 tbsp of yogurt for the egg.
- Unsalted Butter – I always use soft unsalted butter, so it’s easy to cream with the sugar. You can also use salted butter. Just omit salt in the recipe.
- Fresh Cream – This adds a lovely richness to the cake. If you don’t have cream, you can also use milk or yogurt, but not sour cream.
Step-by-step: Butterscotch cake
Cake layers
- Oven – Preheat the oven at 325 °F/ 165 °C / Gas Mark 3
- Pan – Grease and dust with flour in a 5-inch round cake pan. Alternatively, you can also use a 6-inch round cake pan.
Pro tip: A 6-inch round cake pan makes a 2½-inch-tall cake. - Dry ingredients – In a bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt – Set aside.
- Wet ingredients – In a bowl of the stand mixer with the whisk attachment, whip the egg with sugar until it is light and foamy. Then, gradually add the oil, followed by the vanilla extract.
- Combine – Next, add the flour mixture and sour cream in two additions. Do not overmix.
- Bake – Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and transfer to the oven on the center rack. Bake for about 20 to 25 minutes until a skewer inserted in the center comes clean.
- Cool – Remove from the oven and cool completely before frosting.
Assemble
- Butterscotch frosting – Combine the cream cheese and butterscotch sauce – do not overmix.
Pro tip – Overmixing will make the cream cheese grainy.
- Level, torte – When cooled, cut the dome off the cake and divide it horizontally into three layers.
- Stack – Moisten each layer with simple syrup and add a generous dollop of frosting. Spread evenly with an offset spatula. Then top with the next layer, then more frosting, and finally the last layer.
- Frost – Spread the remaining frosting all around and on top of the cake. Using an offset spatula, create a rustic finish around the cake.
Pro tip – This frosting will not create a smooth finish, so do not overwork it. - Drip – Pour the butterscotch sauce on top of the cake and guide it to create a drip around it. Then, top with your choice of garnish. I used a strawberry and blueberries.
- Chill – Keep the cake chilled until you are ready to use it.
Valentine’s Butterscotch Cake for Two
A butterscotch cake makes the perfect valentine's day dessert for two. Rich and buttery with the flavor of butterscotch from the dark brown sugar and whipping cream. The best part it takes just 5 minutes to prep and 18 minutes to bake.
Video
Ingredients
Butterscotch cake
- ¾ cup (95 g) All purpose flour
- ¼ tsp Baking powder
- ⅛ tsp Baking Soda
- ⅛ tsp Salt
- 1 large Egg
- ⅓ cup (75 g) Brown sugar
- ⅓ cup (75 g) Cooking oil
- 1 tsp Vanilla extract
- ⅓ cup (75 g) Sour cream
Butterscotch frosting
- 1 cup (227 g) Mascarpone cream cheese
- ½ cup (120 g) Butterscotch sauce
Plus
- ⅓ cup Sugar syrup
- ⅓ cup Butterscotch sauce
- Garnish for cake
Method
Butterscotch cake
- Oven – Preheat the oven at 325 °F/ 165 °C / Gas Mark 3
- Pan – Grease and dust with flour a 5-inch round cake pan. Alternatively, you can also use a 6-inch round cake pan. Pro tip – A 6-inch round cake pan will make a 2½-inch tall cake.
- Dry ingredients – In a bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt – Set aside.¾ cup All purpose flour, ¼ tsp Baking powder, ⅛ tsp Baking Soda, ⅛ tsp Salt
- Wet ingredients – In a bowl of the stand mixer with the whisk attachment, whip the egg with sugar until light and foamy. Gradually add the oil, followed by the vanilla extract.1 large Egg, ⅓ cup Brown sugar, ⅓ cup Cooking oil , 1 tsp Vanilla extract
- Combine – Next, add the flour mixture and sour cream in two additions. Do not overmix.⅓ cup Sour cream
- Bake – Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and transfer to the oven on the center rack. Bake for about 20 to 25 minutes until a skewer inserted in the center comes clean.
- Cool – Remove from the oven and cool completely before frosting.
Assemble
- Butterscotch frosting – Combine the cream cheese and butterscotch sauce – do not overmix. Pro tip – overmixing will make the cream cheese grainy.1 cup Mascarpone cream cheese, ½ cup Butterscotch sauce
- Level, torte – When cooled, cut the dome off the cake and divide it horizontally into three layers.
- Stack – Moisten each layer with simple syrup and add a generous dollop of frosting. Spread evenly with an offset spatula. Top with the next layer followed by more frosting and then the last layer.⅓ cup Sugar syrup
- Frost – Spread the remaining frosting all around and on top of the cake. Using an offset spatula create a rustic finish around the cake. Pro tip – this frosting will not create a smooth finish so do not overwork it.
- Drip – Pour the butterscotch sauce on top of the cake and guide it to create a drip around it. Top with your choice of garnish. I used strawberries and blueberries.⅓ cup Butterscotch sauce
- Chill – Keep the cake chilled until you are ready to use it.Garnish for cake
Notes
- Make sure all your ingredients are at room temperature so you have a smooth, not curdled batter.
- Room-temperature eggs will whip light and airy. If the eggs are chilled, just let them sit in warm water for 5 minutes.
- If you whip the eggs first and the batter next, you must work quickly so the eggs don’t look volume.
- You don’t need to separate the egg yolks and whites. This method of whipping whole eggs works just fine.
- Use room-temperature butter and cream it well with the sugar so it’s light and airy. Do not skip this step.
- Use a thick butterscotch sauce to enhance the butterscotch flavor.
- Preheat the oven well in advance so you do not have to wait until the batter is ready. Batters with whipped eggs must be baked immediately.
- It is best to bake cakes on the center rack; alternatively, to ensure even baking, rotate the cake pans halfway through.
Equipment you will need
Nutrition
Tried this recipe?
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Wowza! This butterscotch cake looks and sounds amazing. Butterscotch is under-used in my estimation. Lovely recipe!
Absolutely Lisa. I have the same feeling. I think often people combine caramel and butterscotch as one and the same Thanks
Love that this makes only 2 because I’d otherwise EAT the entire cake!
I know exactly what you mean. I am always afraid of eating too much cake.
Love how the same recipe can be baked in the microwave if you’re in a rush. It sounds so delicious!
Absolutely Diana. Also it’s such a small quantity that it can be a pain to make a big oven on just for two tiny cakes. !!
Oh MY! You just saved my time from thinking what dessert I need to make for the coming V-DAY. My family loves butterscotch cake, and it’s been a while I’ve made this for them. Perfect!
Thank you Calleigh. Happy to hear that this got dessert sorted out for you!! Thanks
No need for substitutes on my end, I want ALL THE FLAVOR! That means eggs, butter and Mascovado sugar. This looks so delicious, I really love butterscotch.
Thank you Alyssa. I know what you mean. I love the flavors very much too!
This sounds delicious and just a perfect ending to a romantic dinner for two!
Absolutely Jennifer. Great way to end a romantic dinner for sure.
I really love that you can make these cakes in the microwave. They sound delicious!
Thank you Jill. I like the convenience of the microrwave too!
Oh wow, my hubby would LOVE these, thanks for the valentines day inspo!!
You are very welcome Chris. Happy to hear your hubby will enjoy this. Thanks
This is so perfect for Valentines day! I know that my boyfriend would love it!
Thank you Cliona. Happy to hear that your boyfriend would love. Hope you try it and let me know what you think
What a delicious sounding cake, it is perfect for Valentines Day! I love that you can make it in the microwave too!
Absolutely Bintu. Would be perfect for Valentines day ! The microwave does make it a breeze doesn’t it?