Candies, butterscotch
FDC 167972oz (28 g)
Source: USDA FoodData Central · Public domain
Original analysis by NutriVerdict
Density 4 · -5 vs Sweets medianButterscotch candies post a Nutrient Density Score of 4 of 100, a Low band showing that ranks 51st of 60 among Sweets, since the recipe of sugar, butter, and cream leaves no vitamins or minerals substantial enough to register as a standout.
These are the hard, amber-colored candies made by boiling sugar with butter, typically eaten a piece or two at a time, with a full ounce (28 g) serving amounting to several pieces at once. That ounce also carries a high sugar load at 80.5 g per 100 g, so they're best treated as an occasional treat rather than a snack staple, and gelatin dessert mix is one alternative worth considering from the same category.
See how this score is calculated, build a plate around candies, butterscotch, or compare it with another food.
Source: USDA FoodData Central · Public domain
Percent of calories derived by NutriVerdict from USDA grams
Nutrition facts
| Nutrient | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 391 kcal | 20% |
| Total fat | 3.3 g | 4% |
| Saturated fat | 2.1 g | 10% |
| Cholesterol | 9 mg | 3% |
| Sodium | 391 mg | 17% |
| Carbohydrate | 90 g | 33% |
| Dietary fiber | 0 g | 0% |
| Sugars | 81 g | |
| Protein | 0.03 g | 0% |
| Potassium | 3 mg | 0% |
| Calcium | 4 mg | 0% |
| Iron | 0.01 mg | 0% |
| Magnesium | 0 mg | 0% |
| Vitamin C | 0 mg | 0% |
| Vitamin A | 28 µg | 3% |
| Vitamin E | 0.09 mg | 1% |
| Nutrient | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 109 kcal | 5% |
| Total fat | 0.92 g | 1% |
| Saturated fat | 0.58 g | 3% |
| Cholesterol | 2.5 mg | 1% |
| Sodium | 109 mg | 5% |
| Carbohydrate | 25 g | 9% |
| Dietary fiber | 0 g | 0% |
| Sugars | 23 g | |
| Protein | 0.01 g | 0% |
| Potassium | 0.84 mg | 0% |
| Calcium | 1.1 mg | 0% |
| Iron | 0 mg | 0% |
| Magnesium | 0 mg | 0% |
| Vitamin C | 0 mg | 0% |
| Vitamin A | 7.8 µg | 1% |
| Vitamin E | 0.03 mg | 0% |
Source: USDA FoodData Central · Public domain
FDC 167972Original analysis by NutriVerdict
Versus the sweets median
Original analysis by NutriVerdict
More nutrient-dense swaps
Foods in the same category that score higher on nutrient density.
Sugars, brownDensity 4 vs 4Gelatin desserts, dry mixDensity 5 vs 4Marmalade, orangeDensity 5 vs 4Original analysis by NutriVerdict
In the kitchen and how to use it
Butterscotch candy is a hard candy made by cooking brown sugar and butter together past the soft-crack stage, giving it a firm, glassy texture that slowly dissolves on the tongue with a buttery, caramel-like flavor. It's eaten on its own as a hard candy, often individually wrapped, and the same butterscotch flavor base shows up melted into sauces for puddings, drizzled over ice cream, or folded into baked goods like blondies and butterscotch chip cookies. The flavor is distinct from plain caramel mainly because of the butter, which softens the sugar's edge and adds a slight savory note.
An ounce of butterscotch candy runs 391 calories with 80.5 grams of sugar and 3.3 grams of fat per 100 grams, so like most hard candies it's essentially concentrated sugar with a small amount of fat from the butter used to make it. It keeps well at room temperature in a sealed bag or tin since it has very little moisture to spoil, though pieces can stick together in humid conditions and are best separated with a layer of wax paper. With 391 mg of sodium per 100 grams from salted butter or added salt in some recipes, it isn't a low sodium sweet the way plain sugar candies often are.
Frequently asked questions about candies, butterscotch
How many calories are in butterscotch candy?
Butterscotch candy has 391 calories per 100 grams, or roughly 109 calories per ounce.
What is butterscotch candy made from?
It's a hard candy made by cooking brown sugar and butter together until it reaches a firm, glassy texture.
How should you store butterscotch candy?
Keep it in a sealed bag or tin at room temperature, away from humidity, which can make the pieces stick together.