Delicious Buttermilk Syrup

Buttermilk is a hot commodity in our household.  Whenever homemade yogurt is made, we get leftover buttermilk.  Which means we need lots of ways to use it up.

Buttermilk syrup is a delicious way we use our buttermilk.  It is a great topping for waffles and pancakes. It’s made of simple ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry. 

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What Ingredients are in Buttermilk Syrup?

Buttermilk syrup is made of only four ingredients: butter, sugar, buttermilk and baking soda. The butter helps give the syrup its creamy texture while the sugar provides sweetness and helps thicken the syrup as it cooks. 

The buttermilk adds an acidic tang which balances out the sweetness of the sugar without making the syrup too sour. The baking soda helps neutralize some of the acidity in the buttermilk so that it doesn’t overwhelm other flavors in your dish. All you need is a saucepan or pot and a whisk to get started on your homemade buttermilk syrup!

How Does Buttermilk Syrup Last?

Once you’ve made your buttermilk syrup it will last up to two weeks in an airtight container stored in the refrigerator. This makes it great to have on hand when you want something special for breakfast or brunch. 

If you don’t plan on using all of your syrup within two weeks, you can also freeze it for up to three months so that it stays fresh until you need it again. 

Why Do You Add Baking Soda to Syrup?

Baking soda helps neutralize some of the acidity from the buttermilk in your syrup which ensures that all flavors come through equally instead of being overwhelmed by one flavor over another. Without baking soda, your syrup might taste overly tart or sharp due to too much acidity from the buttermilk not being balanced out by other ingredients like sugar or butter. 

Plus, it is fun to watch the buttermilk foam up and gives it a very smooth texture.  So yummy!

How Do You Turn Milk Into Buttermilk?   

In our home, we get our buttermilk from our homemade yogurt.  After we strain it, the excess whey is buttermilk.

If you don't have homemade buttermilk or some from the store, you can make it at home.  To make buttermilk you need regular milk and either lemon juice or white vinegar. 

For every cup of milk, you'll add 1 tablespoon of either lemon juice or white vinegar.  Allow it to sit for at least 5 minutes before using.

How to make buttermilk syrup?

Making buttermilk syrup is super simple. Heat butter and sugar in a medium sauce pan until melted. Add butter milk and simmer for 1 minute.

Take simple syrup off of the heat and stir in vanilla. Add baking soda and stir. The mixture will foam up, make sure it is in a large enough pot or bowl. This is the fun part.

Serve warm syrup on pancakes and waffles.  

To store your buttermilk syrup, place in mason jars and add a lid.  Place in the fridge for up to two weeks.  

I don't think it will last that long.  This syrup is like eating candy.  My daughter LOVES it so much.

Buttermilk Syrup Recipe Video

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