Toppings, butterscotch or caramel
FDC 168841tbsp (41 g)
Source: USDA FoodData Central · Public domain
Original analysis by NutriVerdict
Density 2 · -7 vs Sweets medianButterscotch or caramel topping scores 2 of 100 on the Nutrient Density Score, Low band, ranking 58 of 60 in the Sweets category, a category with a median score of 9. It brings no standout nutrients to speak of, at 216 calories per 100 g it's essentially a concentrated syrup of sugar, water, and flavoring rather than a food with much else going on.
Spooned over ice cream, drizzled on desserts, or swirled into coffee and milkshakes, a tablespoon serving is about 41 g, a small amount that goes a long way. The caveat is straightforward: it's high in sugars at 57 g per 100 g, so it's best treated as an occasional garnish rather than an ingredient used freely. Syrup, fruit flavored is a same-category alternative for topping desserts.
See how this score is calculated, build a plate around toppings, 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 | 216 kcal | 11% |
| Total fat | 0 g | 0% |
| Saturated fat | 0 g | 0% |
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% |
| Sodium | 341 mg | 15% |
| Carbohydrate | 57 g | 21% |
| Dietary fiber | 0 g | 0% |
| Sugars | 57 g | |
| Protein | 1.2 g | 2% |
| Potassium | 66 mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 49 mg | 4% |
| Iron | 0 mg | 0% |
| Magnesium | 5 mg | 1% |
| Vitamin C | 0.5 mg | 1% |
| Vitamin A | 19 µg | 2% |
| Vitamin E | 0.05 mg | 0% |
| Nutrient | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 89 kcal | 4% |
| Total fat | 0 g | 0% |
| Saturated fat | 0 g | 0% |
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% |
| Sodium | 140 mg | 6% |
| Carbohydrate | 23 g | 8% |
| Dietary fiber | 0 g | 0% |
| Sugars | 23 g | |
| Protein | 0.5 g | 1% |
| Potassium | 27 mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 20 mg | 2% |
| Iron | 0 mg | 0% |
| Magnesium | 2.1 mg | 0% |
| Vitamin C | 0.21 mg | 0% |
| Vitamin A | 7.8 µg | 1% |
| Vitamin E | 0.02 mg | 0% |
Source: USDA FoodData Central · Public domain
FDC 168841Original 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.
Candies, TamarindDensity 2 vs 2Syrup, fruit flavoredDensity 3 vs 2Sugars, granulatedDensity 3 vs 2Original analysis by NutriVerdict
In the kitchen and how to use it
Butterscotch or caramel topping is the thick, pourable sauce spooned over ice cream sundaes, drizzled across cheesecake or apple slices, or swirled into coffee and milkshakes for extra sweetness. It is cooked from sugar and butter, butterscotch traditionally uses brown sugar for a deeper, almost toffee-like flavor while caramel starts with white sugar caramelized before cream is added for a lighter, cleaner sweetness, giving a glossy, viscous texture that clings to whatever it is poured over rather than soaking in. Bakers also warm it slightly to make it easier to drizzle over cakes, blend into frosting, or layer between cake rounds, and it is a common finish for bread pudding and baked apples as well.
A tablespoon (about 41 g) provides roughly 89 calories and 23.4 g of sugar, so it functions as a finishing touch rather than a base ingredient, best measured out rather than poured freely across a whole dessert. Once opened, a jar keeps well in the refrigerator, though warming it briefly in a warm-water bath or microwave restores its pourable consistency for drizzling. Sodium runs to 341 mg per 100 g, which works out to about 140 mg in a single tablespoon, worth factoring in if a dessert is paired with an already salty meal such as salted caramel popcorn or a savory-sweet cheese board.
Frequently asked questions about toppings
How many calories are in caramel or butterscotch topping?
It has about 216 calories per 100 g, which is roughly 89 calories in a typical tablespoon.
Does caramel topping contain much sugar?
Yes, it runs about 57 g of sugar per 100 g, or about 23 g in a tablespoon serving.
What is caramel or butterscotch topping used for?
It's mainly drizzled over ice cream sundaes, cheesecake and apple slices, or stirred into coffee and milkshakes for added sweetness.