Yes, I never ended up capturing what the buttermilk syrup ends up looking like once the foamy deliciousness has all settled down, but not only do I love all of that foam but we all love this syrup so much we just couldn’t wait to dive in and devour it on pancakes.
This is one of those recipes that I grew up with and I don’t know why, but it took me years to remember it and bring it back with my family. It’s absolutely the best syrup around and trust me, you have to try it yourself to understand. It’s not at all buttermilky in taste, but creamy, light, sweet, and oh so amazing. I can barely stand to not lick my plate when breakfast is over just to get ever last bit.
Is Buttermilk Sour Milk?
Sour milk and buttermilk are different.
Buttermilk is made by adding a lactic acid bacteria to regular pasteurized milk.
Sour milk is made by adding vinegar and lemon juice to regular milk to make it sour.
Can You Substitute Sour Milk For Buttermilk in Recipes?
Yes, you can substitute sour milk for buttermilk in most recipes.
Make sour milk by adding 1-2 tablespoons lemon juice or vinegar to 1 cup of milk and stir.
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.
All our AMAZING SYRUP recipes:
- Coconut Buttermilk
- Meyer Lemon Syrup
- Buttermilk Maple Syrup
- Peanut Butter Maple Syrup
- Milky Way Syrup
- Creamy Marionberry Syrup
- Creamy Chocolate Syrup
- Strawberry Syrup
- Reese’s Syrup
Buttermilk Syrup
Buttermilk Syrup
Description
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter, unsalted
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- 1 tablespoon corn syrup, light
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
Instructions
- In a large pot or saucepan over medium heat add the butter, sugar, buttermilk, vanilla and karo syrup.
- Heat until everything is well combined and bring to a boil.
- Quickly remove the pot from the heat and add the baking soda, place back over the heat, stirring constantly. The syrup will grow large and threaten to boil over which is why a large pot is essential. If it gets too close to the edge remove from the burner and continue stirring to bring it down.
- Stir for 30 seconds over the heat (I often just take mine off so I don't risk boiling over) and serve immediately.
Notes
Nutrition
Recommended Products
Creamy Marionbery Syrup
Chocolate Syrup
Meyer Lemon Syrup
Wendy Berringer
What about using Kefir instead of buttermilk.
Sweet Basil
No, definitely not!
Ajiri
There’s no buttermilk where I live. Can I substitute the buttermilk for yoghurt? Like do 1 part yoghurt, 1 part milk as substitute for the buttermilk in this recipe. No sour cream too where I live.
Sweet Basil
Hello! There is a section in the post that explains the best substitutes for buttermilk. You’ll basically want to make sour milk using either lemon juice or vinegar. Read that section in the post and let me know if that helps!
Suzanne
OMG! You didn’t exaggerate even a little bit. I put some pure maple syrup in one ramekin and your heavenly buttermilk syrup in another ramekin intending to use 1 kind on each pancake. After one bite of your syrup on a buttermilk pancake, the maple was no longer needed! I’m embarrassed to admit it, but I did actually pick up every drop with my finger and licked it clean.
I know it tastes great on a spoon or pancake. I can’t wait to try it on bread pudding, casserole French toast, figgy pudding, or ice cream.
Thanks very much for sharing this recipe.
Btw: if you leave off the baking soda, what difference does it make? I’m curious about the science behind it.
Sweet Basil
Isn’t it the most dreamy liquid gold ever?! Try swapping out the vanilla with coconut extract…it’s my new favorite! The baking soda gives it a little tang but also gives it that thick caramel-y texture. So glad you enjoyed it!
Robyn Gorham
Love, love, love this syrup. It is sooooo yummy. We had this and the maple peanut butter one this morning. None of us can decide which is our favorite. Thank you for this site and all of your wonderful recipes.
Sweet Basil
It is heaven, isn’t it?! Thank you for the feedback!
Barbara nightingale
Your buttermilk syrup IS THE BEST. MAKES YOU WANT TO EAT IT BY THE SOON FULLS!!!!!
Thank you
Sweet Basil
Right?! I just want to drink it!
Duane Cramer
My mother has been making peanut butter mixed with maple syrup in about a 50/50 ratio as a spread and has been doing so ever since I was a kid (I’m 50 now) She would just spread it on toast usually. But I never knew if it actually had a name as she said it was just something she experimented with one day. It’s so good! Anyway, so after Googling it, I never found a name, but I did stumble upon your website…..and I’m sooo glad I did! Oh those syrups! I’m particularly drawn to your Buttermilk syrup. If it tastes anything like it looks, I bet it’s hard not to just throw a drinking straw in that mason jar and go to town! I have to try it! Thank you for sharing and for giving me the Red Pill and setting my mind free from the syrup disease CSM-the shackles that are Confined Syrup Minimality! :-d
Sweet Basil
Hahahahha! Duane! You are my new favorite person! The buttermilk syrup is going to blow your mind!! Please let us know when you try it!
Arlene
Love every recipe of yours thst I have made!
Thanks!
Sweet Basil
Thank you Arlene!
Toni
Absolutely amazing! I’ve shared with several people and plan on using this for things other than pancakes.
Kelly Smith
I can’t WAIT to try this syrup with your Buttermilk Pancake recipe tonight!! We’re having a breakfast dinner tonight with all of your amazing recipes. Thank you much for sharing… I’m a BIG fan of everything buttermilk. 😍
Sweet Basil
Breakfast for dinner is the best! How was the syrup? Isn’t it so good?! I could practically drink the stuff!
Jenniette
This was sooooo good on top of your buttermilk pancakes:) Turned out a little thinner than I was expecting but the flavor was amazing!
Sweet Basil
It is supposed to be a thinner syrup so it sounds like you made it perfectly!
Cynthia
Made this to go with your buttermilk pancakes this morning since we were out of syrup. DELICIOUS! I’ve been using your buttermilk pancake recipe for a couple years. They are the best. I dread when my husband makes pancakes because he uses a box. Ugh. I don’t think I’m going to be able to go back to store-bought syrup.
I bet this would be really good with sweet potatoes.
Sweet Basil
Ooooooohhh…on sweet potatoes! What a great idea! This is the best syrup ever! I could drink it!
Marie Nelson
Best syrup ever. We love your buttermilk pancakes and after having tried the buttermilk syrup on them there is no going back. If I don’t have enough buttermilk on hand to make both recipes, we simply don’t have pancakes.
Sweet Basil
Hahaha…this made my day! Thanks Marie!
Gulsah
Can I make this without corn syrup?
Sweet Basil
Yes you can.
Tara
This looks so amazing I cannot wait to make this and your Meyer lemon
Sweet Basil
Ohhhhh that meyer lemon is so good!!
Anne Olson
Carrion,
I made this syrup yesterday because it sounded unusual and I love buttermilk in any glaze on cakes. Well, I have to tell you that we all LOVED it! This syrup has a wonder full flavor. Amazing. In addition, I sampled spoonful after spoonful, and more. All by it self. Like I do with lemon curd. I am anxious to try it on bread pudding to contrast with the puddings usual sweetness. Thank you for this forever recipe!
Sweet Basil
LOL!! You sound exactly like me! I made lemon curd yesterday and I keep snitching in it!
Sherry
In the pix of the Buttermilk Syrup, it looks like it does some settling. When it’s reheated do we shake, stir, or leave it? Sounds awesome !!
Sweet Basil
It has a foamy top at first but it will go away. No need to shake. 🙂
Leslie
Your buttermilk pancake and syrup recipe are fabulous. I made then this morning for my daughter and her friend and – they said that the were the best ever. I don’t usually like pancakes and I tried them and thought that it was all delicious. Thank you for posting and sharing and adding loviness and happiness to the world.
Sweet Basil
Leslie, What a sweet comment to leave me today. Thank you so much for the reminder that what we are trying to do with this blog matters and there are real people out there trying our recipes and caring about the blog. Sometimes I wish I could meet everyone. Seriously, your comment made my day. Thank you.
Ecfinn
I’ve seen a few of these syrup recipes posted on blogs that come out as this pale, thin syrup. Buttermilk syrup should be thicker and amber in color. I think what cooks are doing wrong is not cooking it long enough for the sugar to caramelize.
Ecfinn
I take it back…after doing some research, it appears that, when cooked longer, it essentially turns into caramel sauce. If you cook it for a shorter period, finishing while it’s still pale in color, then it is a buttery syrup that’s popular on pancakes. So it’s preference/usage that should affect length of cooking.
Sweet Basil
It’s true, but I tend to like it this way instead of the caramel version. It’s just so light this way.
Melissa Johnson
Thank you for sharing this recipe! I hadn’t even heard of Buttermilk Syrup before. It was surprisingly light and not overly sweet. It was a great addition to your Buttermilk Pancakes recipe. To quote my husband, “amazing”.
Sweet Basil
I love it! Your husband is far too kind, but feel free to come back and say that any time 😉 haha
Diane
How long can you keep syrup. I imagine refrigeration is neccessary after use.
Sweet Basil
Yes, definitely refrigerate and we’ve never liked it after 1 week.
Reghan
I love this recipe, been making it for years. It’s so good on German Pancakes. Have you ever tried to can it? I didn’t know if it was possible to can or not.
Sweet Basil
I love it on German pancakes too but I have yet to can it. I worry it wouldn’t hold up very well so we make it fresh every time.
Marie Nelson
Best syrup ever. We love your buttermilk pancakes and after having tried the buttermilk syrup on them there is no going back. If I don’t have enough buttermilk on hand to make both recipes, we simply don’t have pancakes.
Lisa
Have been making this for awhile. Decided to get creative and replace the Karo with MAPLE SYRUP!
AWESOMENESS!
Sweet Basil
Lisa, We do that too and in fact I have a post coming up in a while about it!
Janice S.
I haven’t made this but would like to use my raw honey from my hives in place of the corn syrup. I bet it would be so delish with the honey! I am gonna give it a try! Oh, I just subbed to you, too!
Jennielynn
Oh my goodness. I’d never heard of buttermilk syrup and just happened on this via Pinterest. I guess it’s waffles for dinner tonight!
Jennielynn
I made this with waffles and fresh berries for dinner tonight. Who’s a rockstar mom? ME! Thank you, this is going in my recipe book. What a delicious change of pace.
Just a note – I used powdered buttermilk mixed with water and it was excellent.
Sweet Basil
You have no idea how lovely that sounds right now. I love waffles with fresh berries and that syrup!
Beth
Have you ever tried substituting sour milk?
Sweet Basil
Hi Beth, I haven’t, but I have used regular milk and it was fine.
John
Is it just good on pancakes or can it be used on other foods. Sounds delicious though.
Sweet Basil
anything you’d normally put syrup on !
John
Ok Thanks gotta try it soon
cliff browning
I was wondering if you knew why you use baking soda. I used to have to make a similiar recipe and the only things I can think of is maybe it affects consistency or Ph by reacting with the buttermilk. If it is ph then why are we neutralizing it? I see sights boasting baking soda maple syrup cancer cure so is this just for alternative medicine reasons?
Ecfinn
I read that the baking soda stabilizes the milk and keeps it from curdling. Without the baking soda, the finished product is grainy. The corn syrup keeps it shiny, apparently.
Sweet Basil
No way! Thank you so much for taking the time to research that for us. You’re the best!
Kay
Is that dark Karo syrup?
Sweet Basil
Light Karo Syrup. Thanks for asking, I’ll go clarify.
Kristin
If there is extra:) How do you store? In the refrigerator? And if yes, do you just heat it up when ready to serve?
Sweet Basil
Kristin, you can totally store it in the fridge for a week or two, and then reheat in the microwave or sauce pan!
Melanie @ Just Some Salt and Pepper
This sounds DELICIOUS! I don’t think I’ve tried anything like it!
Sweet Basil
You must try it. It’s seriously the best ever.
ashley – baker by nature
This looks amazing! And has me craving pancakes!!!
Sweet Basil
You must, must, must try it.
Jen @ Savory Simple
I have been daydreaming about this all day ever since I saw you post it on Twitter. It sounds amazing. And if I haven’t told you before, your blog is gorgeous. I love the color scheme and design.
Sweet Basil
Awww thanks lady!!! Seriously, please tell me you’ll make the syrup. It’s totally liquid gold.
christina @ The Beautiful Balance
I have never heard of buttermilk syrup! So original!
Sweet Basil
stop the bus. YOu must go make it tonight. I’m serious. It’s incredible.
Rocky Mountain Woman
I’ve never even heard of buttermilk syrup, but now that I’ve heard of it I must try it!
Sweet Basil
*GASP* WHAT?! Oh my darlin’, you get your buns to the kitchen pronto. Make it, devour it, report back to me
Des
Hmm this is a new one to me! But we make pancakes every Saturday because Kellan is obsessed. Maybe I’ll give this dressing a go this weekend 🙂
Sweet Basil
MAYBE?! If you’re really my friend you WILL make it. But seriously, make it.
Nicole
I just wanted to report that 12 minutes ago I stumbled upon this while searching for buttermilk recipes. I’ve already made and devoured this delicious syrup! I didn’t have corn syrup so I skipped it… I wonder what I’m missing out on if its this good with out! I poured the syrup in a jar to store it and swirled my sliced ham around in the residual. YUM! It tasted just like honey baked!! Thanks for the recipe!
Sweet Basil
Yesssssss! I’ve never tried ham dipped in it. What a brilliant idea! So glad you enjoyed it!
Karly
Love buttermilk syrup!! It’s perfect for a Sunday morning pancake fest!
Sweet Basil
YES!!! You are definitely my bosom buddy. No one seems to know what it is! WHAT THE HECK?! It’s freaking deliciousness!!
Angie | Big Bear’s Wife
I’ve never even heard of this! I have been missing something wonderful on my pancakes my entire life and didn’t know it! Pinning this now!
Sweet Basil
pin it, girl. You will not regret it. I expect you to come tell me what you think. FO REAL.
Kayle (The Cooking Actress)
oooooOOOOooooohhh! I’ve never had buttermilk syrup, this looks great!
Sweet Basil
you officially are banned from the internet until you try this. Well, you can get my recipe first, and then no internet until you make it. IT’S SO GOOD!
Barbara @ Barbara Bakes
I’ve talked to so many people that love this syrup. I really need to try it.
Sweet Basil
you sooooo do!!
Robyn Stone | Add a Pinch
I can’t wait to try this, Carrian! It looks so flavorful and rich! I’m sure it would quickly become a requested staple at my breakfast table!
Sweet Basil
It’s absolutely the best darned thing ever. I hope you try it and let me know!
Tieghan
This sounds so good! I have never heard of buttermilk syrup, but I cannot wait to try it!
Sweet Basil
Make it, lick it, report to me. It’s incredible. Your family will thank you forever.
Cathy Pollak ~ Noble Pig
I am so curious I have to to try this!!
Sweet Basil
My dear, please try it. I’m not kidding, it’s the best. I mean if you hate liquid gold, syrup, or general happiness, yeah for sure avoid it, but otherwise get on this thang!
Jocelyn (Grandbaby Cakes)
Wow that looks too yummy. I love the idea of this, so unique!
Sweet Basil
Jocelyn, it’s the best syrup in the world. I just know you’ll love it!
steph@stephsbitebybite
Can I be honest…I’ve never heard of buttermilk syrup. But I’m willing to whip up a bath of flap jacks to give this a try!
Sweet Basil
WHAT?!! NOOOOOOOOO! Ok, what is going on, people?! You must try it. I honestly would beg on my knees if I was in front of you. It’s that important.
Rachel @ Baked by Rachel
I love how many breakfast recipes I’m seeing today! Can’t wait to try this 🙂
Sweet Basil
right?! Lol, I noticed that too!