Buttermilk Syrup is the easiest way to make breakfast feel extra special and extra delicious. It is rich, buttery, and sweet with a hint of caramel, and it is absolutely amazing over pancakes, waffles, and our favorite Swedish Pancakes.
What makes this recipe so special is how fast it comes together on the stove. The baking soda creates that signature foamy, creamy texture, and the syrup turns smooth and glossy as it bubbles. Once you try homemade buttermilk syrup, it is hard to go back (the kids often refer to it as “Liquid Gold.”)
This recipe really does level up ANY breakfast, and we are so happy we are now asked to make it for every holiday breakfast, every church functions and special birthday breakfasts. If you love this, be sure to try our Maple Syrup recipe and Cinnamon Buttermilk Syrup.
Why you’ll love it + Why it works:
- Beyond delicious. It is rich, buttery, and tastes like a restaurant-style syrup.
- Quick + Easy. It comes together in minutes with simple ingredients.
- Foamy, creamy texture. Baking soda reacts with buttermilk and makes the syrup puff up and turn light.
- Smooth finish. Bringing it to a boil dissolves the sugar so the syrup turns glossy.
Buttermilk Syrup Ingredients
- Butter (½ cup): Makes the syrup rich and gives it that classic homemade flavor.
- Sugar (1 cup): Sweetens the syrup and creates the thick, glossy texture once it boils. If you want your syrup more caramel-y, try brown sugar!
- Buttermilk (½ cup): Adds a slight tang and makes the syrup taste like a special breakfast treat.
- Baking soda (½ teaspoon): Reacts with the buttermilk and makes the syrup foam up. It also helps create a lighter texture.
- Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Adds warm flavor and makes the syrup taste more balanced.
How to Make Buttermilk Syrup
COOK. Melt ½ cup butter in a pan on low-medium heat.
Add 1 cup sugar, ½ cup buttermilk, and 1 teaspoon vanilla and whisk well. Bring to a boil and add ½ teaspoon baking soda and stir until all combined.
- Store in a syrup dispenser or mason jar. Mixture will get foamy and bubble up when done.
Kristyn’s Recipe Tips
- Bigger pot. Use a saucepan with extra room, the syrup will foam up quickly after adding baking soda.
- Stir constantly once it starts bubbling to prevent boiling over.
- Remove from heat once it is foamy and smooth, it thickens more as it cools.
- Taste and add a splash more vanilla if you like a stronger vanilla flavor.
- Make-ahead tip, store leftovers in the fridge and warm gently before serving.
- For more than pancakes. Besides the traditional breakfast food, you can drizzle it over Funnel Cakeor Vanilla Ice Cream, top this Recipe for Apple Crisp, or use it as a dip for Angel Food Cake Churro Bites.
Buttermilk Syrup Recipe
Equipment
- 8-ounce mason jars (for storage)
Ingredients
- ½ cup butter
- 1 cup sugar
- ½ cup buttermilk
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Melt butter in a pan on low-medium heat.
- Add sugar, buttermilk, and vanilla and whisk well. Bring to a boil, add baking soda, and stir until combined.
- Mixture will get foamy and bubble up when done.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Recipe FAQ
Store the buttermilk syrup recipe in an airtight container in the fridge for about 2 weeks.
Make a double batch and you’ll always have some on hand when you want it. Thaw in the fridge before reheating.
To reheat. To make reheating super easy I like to store the syrup in mason jars. Simply remove the lid and microwave for 30-60 seconds. For larger portions, reheat in a saucepan on the stove.
Complete The Meal
Pancake Variations
Chocolate Chip Pancakes
10 mins
How to make Banana Pancakes
15 mins
Oatmeal Pancakes
9 mins
Protein Pancakes
18 mins
More Pancakes
Collections
This recipe was first shared November, 2019.
Ok this is really good! I’m surprised I haven’t heard about this because I’m sure my late dad who would be 90 had this on the Oklahoma tenant farm he grew up on with 5 boys. I wish I’d known while raising our 3. We love it!
This makes my heart so happy, thank you for sharing.
I made this buttermilk syrup. It is simply wonderful and the best syrup I have ever eaten. Good way to use up older buttermilk. Many thanks
I’m so glad you loved the recipe! My sister now refuses maple syrup and only uses buttermilk syrup because it is that good!
Love this syrup! We have family in Minnesota so we get fresh maple syrup and this syrup goes hand in hand. Thank you for sharing!
I was so glad I stumbled on this recipe! It’s so good and worked perfectly for my leftover buttermilk.
Made this syrup to go with some waffles and it was amazing.
This buttermilk syrup took my breakfast to the next level! So easy to make and such a hit!
Love this syrup! So delicious and easy.
Yay! So glad to hear you loved the syrup!
Can I can this ?
Can this be made in advance (day before) and reheated ?
I love swedish pancakes
This has been my all time favorite syrup for years now. It will knock your socks off, I promise.
Recipe says there are 15 servings per batch. Have you ever figured out how much is a serving? I’m watching my weight but this is one thing that I still NEED from time to time. It is SOOOOO good. I don’t think I can go back the maple syrup again.
Honestly it kind of depends on how much syrup you pour on your food… I’d say a couple Tbsp. Couldn’t agree with you more though. This syrup is a game changer. I could practically drink it! 😉
Do you have to refrigerate this? I’m looking for a recipe I can gift in bottles for Christmas…
I made this for a Bridal Brunch and it was a HIT. People were going back for waffles just for the syrup!! It’s so easy and Sooooo delicious!
Oh yay!! I’m so glad the syrup was a hit. I could seriously drink this stuff. 😉 Glad to hear it was well enjoyed!
easy and delicious!
Glad you think so 😉 It’s my favorite! Thank you!
Can you use almond milk with the lemon juice as a substitute for buttermilk?
You could use equal measures of plain yogurt as a substitute. I haven’t tried with the almond milk, but usually its 1 tablespoon of lemon juice with as much milk added to make a cup. So, almond milk should work.
We make this every time we make French toast, and it is delicious!
This syrup is so delicious. It is so easy to make and everyone LOVES it!!
This syrup is a family favorite! So easy and delicious!!
What an impressive, easy, and delicious syrup to add to a brunch table!!
Delicious!! So easy to make and we LOVED it! If you have time, make the SWedish Pancakes from this site. Together They are an amazing combo!
Awe, thank you for sharing that! They are our favorite!
This is fast, easy and delicious! As a variation, i added the juice of two meyer lemons to make “lemon buttermilk syrup.” so good on swedish pancakes and dutch babies. Thanks for the recipe!
Good idea! I am glad to share! Thank you for letting me know!
HI… I HAVEN’T HAD TIME TO TRY THIS RECIPE YET, BUT I’M ANXIOUS TO. GROWING UP WITH A SWEDISH DAD AND A FINNISH MOM, I’VE HAD QUITE A FEW SCANDINAVIAN/NORDIC RECIPES, BUT HAVE NEVER HAD BUTTERMILK SYRUP. HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE? :))
QUESTION: IN THE PHOTO, THE SYRUP LOOKS SEPARATED. IS IT SERVED LIKE THAT, OR SHOULD YOU GIVE IT A GOOD SHAKE BEFORE SERVING?
(NOT SURE WHY I’M TYPING IN CAPS THIS MORNING)
Lol..I’m not sure how you haven’t, but it’s my favorite!! Yes, you could give it a little shake or stir. Really hope you like it!!
Hi excited to try this! Im looking to possibly cut back on the butter and sugar, do you think I could use less of either and it would still turn out ok?
I am sure it would, though I have personally have not tried.
Love this syrup! Amazing!
Me too! I am happy you do, too! Thank you!
Homemade syrup is always the better choice if you have time. This recipe did NOT disappoint! So simple to whip up and the flavor was delicious!
This looks very similar to a “hard sauce” for bread pUDDING. I’m making swedish pancakes for Christmas breakfast and found this recipe after the pancake one. I’ll give it a go! As I don’t have lingenberry preserves I have made fresh cranberry sauce. The buttermilk syrup will be a nice choice too.
Hope everyone liked it!
I will never buy store bought syrup again!! This is so good & simple. My kids loved it!
I dont think ill ever go back to maple syrup. So Yummy!
A great tasting syrup that takes no time to whip up.
I love this syrup so much but my biggest ROADBLOCK has been the buttermilk, thanks for the genius sub. I also can’t wait to try freezing it.
This syrup is just delicious! The kids love it too!
LOVE this syrup, and how easy it is to make! Tastes delicious!
We can’t go back to store bought syrup, after trying this!! It is delicious & super easy to make, which I love!
I love this syrup! It’s incredibly easy to make and tastes amazing.