Butterscotch Cake with Streusel Topping

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This Butterscotch cake recipe with streusel topping recipe is a family favorite, handed down from my mother in law. The pudding makes this cake ultra-moist.  And, it’s not too butterscotch-y.  It goes perfectly with a nice hot cup of coffee!

Butterscoth Cake on a white plate with a fork.

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A butterscotch coffee cake is the perfect butterscotch cake recipe. The rich deep flavor of the butterscotch coupled with the cinnamon streusel is a winner. Plus, it is so easy as most of the ingredients are from a box.

If you want even more dessert ideas, check here.


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What We Love About This Recipe Butterscotch Cake

Butterscotch cake with pudding guarantees that you are going to have a super moist cake. The brown sugar melting into the cake layer is so sweet and the butterscotch flavor is fantastic. Tender with an excellent crumb. What does pudding make cake moist? See here.

  • Easy to Make: This cake is mostly made from a box cake so it is super simple.
  • Easy Ingredients: All found in pantry.
  • Family Friendly: This cake is so unique in flavor, everyone will love it.
Cake on a white plate with a fork.

Ingredient Notes

  • Butterscotch Pudding Mix and Vanilla Pudding: Box Instant pudding is the kind that you need.
  • Box Yellow Cake Mix: Any variety that you have on hand or that is on sale works.
  • Eggs: Large eggs, Just regular whole eggs work perfectly.
  • Brown Sugar: Light brown sugar, packed.
  • Pecans: Finely chopped.
  • Vegetable Oil: A neutral oil .

Equipment Needed

How to Make Butterscotch Cake Recipe

These are the basic steps for making butterscotch cake recipes. Please refer to the recipe card below for more detailed instructions.

STEP 1: PREHEAT OVEN

First, preheat the oven and then in a large bowl, combine puddings, cake mix, water, vanilla, oil, and eggs.  Mix until combined – about 2 minutes.  In a separate bowl, whisk together brown sugar and pecans, stir until combined.

STEP 2: LAYER

Next, spread half of the cake batter into a greased (or parchment paper lined)13×9 cake pan. Cover with half of the pecan mixture. Spread the remaining batter over the pecan mixture. Top with remaining pecan mixture. Finally, bake. Allow to cool on wire racks.

Prep and Storage Tips For Cake Butterscotch

HOW TO MAKE A BUTTERSCOTCH CAKE AHEAD OF TIME

Freshly baked coffee cake will keep well for  1 week in the fridge when properly stored.

HOW TO STORE THIS BUTTERSCOTCH RECIPE CAKE

When refrigerating, cover with foil or plastic wrap to prevent cake from drying out or place in an airtight cake container.

HOW TO FREEZE THIS BUTTERSCOTCH CAKE RECIPE

After wrapping the cake properly in plastic wrap and foil, the cake should last up to 6 months in the freezer.

Frequently Asked Questions about Butterscotch Cake with Pudding

CAN YOU USE TWO BOXES OF BUTTERSCOTCH INSTANT PUDDING?

Of course, you can use two butterscotch puddings, however, the flavor may be too intense, therefore I recommend one vanilla instant pudding and one butterscotch.

SUBSTITUTE A BUNDT PAN IN PLACE OF THE 13X9 PAN?

Indeed, you can use a bundt pan. Make sure the pan is greased with a tablespoon of unsalted butter and dust with a little all purpose flour to insure that it does not stick.

WHAT IS A COFFEE CAKE?

Coffee cake is a moist, tender cake that is usually topped with some kind of streusel topping. They differ from other cakes because of their streusel topping and because, although they might have a little glaze drizzled on top, they usually are no frosting. No need for cake layers either.

ARE BUTTERSCOTCH AND CARAMEL THE SAME?

The main difference is in the sugar. Caramel is often made with granulated sugar, while butterscotch is made with brown sugar both are incredibly sweet.

Butterscotch cake with a whole cake in the background.

Expert Tips for Making This Recipe for Butterscotch Cake

  • Add Different Nuts: Walnuts work well for this recipe.
  • Sea Salt: On top of the cake, a little sea salt will cut the sweetness.
  • Sugar Free: Above all, this recipe is sweet. Therefore, using the sugar free version is a really great switch for this recipe. You won’t even taste the difference. Enhance the vanilla flavor with a little vanilla extract.
  • Serve: Can serve with a little butterscotch syrup, sauces such as butterscotch sauce or some vanilla ice cream or or butter.
  • Decorate: decorate with a little powder sugar or butterscotch chips, wait until the cake gets to room temperature before decorating.

What to Serve with Butterscotch Pudding Cake

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Butterscoth Cake on a white plate with a fork.
4.60 from 5 votes

Butterscotch Coffee Cake

Yield: 12 servings
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 35 minutes
Total: 45 minutes
This Butterscotch cake recipe is a family favorite, handed down from my mother in law. The pudding makes this cake ultra-moist.  And, it’s not too butterscotch-y.  It goes perfectly with a nice hot cup of coffee!
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⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️Did you try this recipe? Please leave a star rating and review below!

Ingredients

  • 1 butterscotch pudding, box instant
  • 1 vanilla pudding, box instant
  • 1 yellow cake mix, box
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 1 cup vegetable oil
  • 4 eggs
  • 1 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1 cup pecans, finely chopped

Instructions

  • In a large bowl, combine puddings, cake mix, water, vanilla, oil, and eggs. Mix until combined – about 2 minutes. In a separate bowl, combine brown sugar and pecans.
  • Spread half of the cake batter into a greased 13×9 pan. Cover with half of the pecan mixture. Spread the remaining batter over the pecan mixture. Top with remaining pecan mixture.
  • Bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.

Expert Tips

  • Add Different Nuts: Walnuts work well for this recipe.
  • Sea Salt: On top of the cake, a little sea salt will cut the sweetness.
  • Sugar Free: Above all, this recipe is sweet. Therefore, using the sugar free version is a really great switch for this recipe. You won’t even taste the difference.
  • Serve: Can serve with a little butterscotch syrup or some vanilla ice cream.

Estimated Nutritional Information

Calories: 308kcal | Carbohydrates: 55g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 55mg | Sodium: 342mg | Potassium: 99mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 37g | Vitamin A: 84IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 121mg | Iron: 1mg
The nutritional information provided are estimates. To learn more about how I calculate this information go to www.itisakeeper.com/about-its-a-keeper/privacy-disclosure-policies/
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Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American

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40 thoughts on “Butterscotch Cake with Streusel Topping”

  1. I’ve always been taught that if I couldn’t say something nice, then I shouldn’t say anything at all. I like the idea of this cake and it’s flavors. I’m not one to use a lot of processed foods, but I don’t abandon them totally either. I just watch what I use. That’s a personal choice. I’m sorry that you received such a rude comment earlier.

    Reply
  2. thanks for the tip on using sugar free pudding mix…it is a great way to reduce the sugar. your cake looks perfect! thank you for sharing it and the great tip with tuesday night supper club.

    Reply
  3. That cake looks delicious! I found your blog through Frugal Friday, and I must say that I really like it. :0) What a great idea to test the recipes you find and let us know if they really are good for not before we try them.

    Reply
  4. Oh, I’ll have to try this! I love the butterscotch pudding idea! Thanks for the tip about sugar-free, I will be sure and use that when I try it. I’ll have to make it soon. Thanks for linking up to Making Your Home Sing Monday!

    Reply
  5. This sounds great! I shared a wonderful muffin recipe today on my site…check it out. Can’t wait to follow along for more of your recipe posts.

    Reply
    • I believe it’s 3.4 ounce (regular pudding). I’m not sure what the weight of the SF version is. It’s the smaller/regular size box. I hope this helps, but if you have any other questions, please let met know! 🙂

      Thanks for reading!

      Reply
  6. I am visiting form Delicious Dishes. This looks spectacular! Oh my…I can’t wait to give it a try. Scrumptious indeed!

    Reply
  7. Well, I left out the most important part… that it looks and sounds delicious! You’ll have to forgive me… I haven’t felt well earlier today so I guess I’m not thinking too clearly either. I would have stopped by earlier to comment otherwise!

    Reply
  8. Thank you for sharing at
    Make a Food-“e”-Friend Monday! I hope you will add us to your Monday list, and I hope to make it to your Thursday party. Have a great week! 🙂

    Reply
    • Mmmm- I LOVE butterscotch! Would love to enjoy this with a great cup of coffee. Thanks for sharing at Gettin’ Krafty With It!

      Reply
  9. Ooooh, this looks wondeful! I would make this now except for I am dieting and I’m not sure I could eat just one piece!

    visiting from allaboutmommies.blogspot.com

    Reply

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