This Butterscotch Krimpet Sheet Cake combines a simple vanilla sponge cake with a layer of creamy butterscotch frosting. It’s easy to make and tastes fantastic! You will love this version if you grew up loving this classic Philadelphia treat!

Rectangular slices of butterscotch krimpets placed on a parchment paper lined background with center slice on its slide.

Today, I’m sharing another sweet Pennsylvania staple and family favorite from my childhood—Homemade Butterscotch Krimpets! This sheet cake recipe is a spin on the classic Tastykakes treat and a cousin to the Chocolate Peanut Butter Tandy Kakes I’ve shared here in the Beyond the Butter® recipe box.

This recipe uses a 9-inch by 13-inch cake pan, is easy to make, and, no knock to the original, tastes better than the store-bought version!

If you’re looking for more popular family favorites, check out my Pennsylvania Dutch Chocolate Funny Cake, Black Bottom Cupcakes, Classic Peanut Butter Blossoms, Pennsylvania Dutch Fasnacht Doughnuts, and Shoo Fly Pie recipes!

Slices of butterscotch krimpets placed on a parchment paper lined background with one slice on its side with a small decorative ceramic bowl of butterscotch chips placed next to the cake.

Ingredients

For the Vanilla Sponge Cake, you will need the following ingredients:

  • Cake Flour
  • Baking Powder
  • Salt
  • Eggs (size Large)
  • Coconut Oil – or Vegetable Oil
  • Granulated Sugar
  • Vanilla Extract
  • Whole Milk

And for the Butterscotch Buttercream Frosting, you will need:

  • Butterscotch Chips
  • Unsalted Butter
  • Powdered Sugar
  • Heavy Cream
  • Salt
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How to Make the Recipe

Below is a brief overview of how to make this homemade butterscotch krimpets. For the full printable recipe, which can be made using US customary or metric measurements using the toggle switch, visit the recipe card below.

Vanilla Sponge Cake

Quick Tip: Prep your 9-inch by 13-inch cake pan with parchment paper, covering the sides and bottom, then spray with a flour based baking spray. Set to the side. I also recommend scalding the milk so it has some time to cool down slightly before adding it to the cake batter.

Step 1. Whisk the dry ingredients together. This includes the cake flour, baking powder, and salt. Set to the side.

Step 2. Beat the eggs and sugar together. For this part, you can use a hand or stand mixer. Beat the eggs first for one minute or until they are thick and frothy in appearance. Then add in the granulated sugar. Beat together at high speed for seven minutes until the mixture doubles in size, is creamy in texture, and is pale yellow in color.

Step 3. Add in the remaining wet ingredients. This includes the vanilla extract, coconut oil, and scalded milk. Beat at medium to high speed for another two minutes.

Step 4. Sift in the dry ingredients. Gradually sift in the whisked dry ingredients in two to three parts, beating on low speed after each addition until just combined. Any remaining dry ingredient bits stuck to the bowl can be stirred in with a spatula. The vanilla sponge cake batter will be on the runny, thinner side.

Quick Tip: Once the vanilla sponge cake batter has been transferred to the prepared cake pan, gently tap the pan on the counter three to four times to release any air bubbles.

Step 5. Bake, then cool. Bake at 350ºF for 26-28 minutes until an inserted toothpick into the center of the cake comes out clean. Cool the sheet cake in the pan for 15-20 minutes before carefully transferring the cake onto a wire cooling rack to cool completely.

Butterscotch Buttercream Frosting

Step 1. Melt the butterscotch chips. Microwave them for one minute at full power, stir, then heat again for one more minute. Stir again, then set to the side to cool slightly.

Step 2. Beat the butter, then add the remaining ingredients. This includes the powdered sugar, heavy cream, and salt. Sift the powdered sugar to avoid any clumps in your frosting.

Step 3. Frost, then enjoy! Make sure the cake has cooled completely before adding the frosting.

Rectangular slices of butterscotch krimpets placed on a parchment paper lined background with two butterscotch chips in foreground.

Give These Other Easy Sheet Cake Recipes a Try!

If you tried this Butterscotch Krimpet Sheet Cake Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know what you thought in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting!

Homemade Butterscotch Krimpets

5 from 9 votes
Author: Jennifer
Prep: 25 minutes
Cook: 28 minutes
Total: 53 minutes
Servings: 24 servings
This Butterscotch Krimpet Sheet Cake combines a simple vanilla sponge cake with a layer of creamy butterscotch frosting. It's easy to make and tastes fantastic! You will love this version if you grew up loving this classic Philadelphia treat!
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Ingredients 

Vanilla Sponge Sheet Cake

  • 1 cup Whole Milk, scalded
  • 2 cups Cake Flour
  • 2 tsp Baking Powder
  • 1/4 tsp Salt
  • 4 large Eggs, room temperature
  • 1 3/4 cup Granulated Sugar
  • 1/4 cup Coconut Oil, or vegetable oil
  • 1 tbsp Vanilla Extract

Butterscotch Buttercream Frosting

  • 1/3 cup Butterscotch Chips, do not overfill
  • 1/2 cup Unsalted Butter, room temperature
  • 2 cups Powdered Sugar, sifted
  • 1 tbsp Heavy Cream, or whole milk
  • 1/8 tsp Salt

Instructions 

Vanilla Sponge Sheet Cake

  • Adjust the oven rack to the middle position and preheat your oven to 350ºF. Line your 9-inch by 13-inch cake pan with parchment paper (sides and bottom) and spray it with flour-based baking spray.
  • Heat the whole milk in a small—to medium-sized saucepan over medium heat until tiny bubbles appear along the outside edge. If using a thermometer, the temperature should read 180ºF. Remove from heat and let the scalded milk cool slightly.
  • In a medium-size mixing bowl, whisk together the cake flour, baking powder, and salt. Set to the side.
    2 cups Cake Flour, 2 tsp Baking Powder, 1/4 tsp Salt
  • Using a hand-held mixer or a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whisk the eggs on medium-high speed for 1 minute or until they are thick and frothy in appearance. Add in the granulated sugar and continue to beat for another 7 minutes. The mixture should be doubled in size, creamy in texture, and a pale yellow color.
    4 large Eggs, 1 3/4 cup Granulated Sugar
  • Add in the vanilla extract, coconut oil, and scalded milk. Beat for another 2 minutes.
    1/4 cup Coconut Oil, 1 3/4 cup Granulated Sugar, 1 tbsp Vanilla Extract, 1 cup Whole Milk
  • Gradually sift in the whisked dry ingredients in 2 to 3 parts (don't add it all at once unsifted), mixing on low speed after each addition. Any remaining dry ingredients stuck to the bowl can be mixed in with a spatula. The cake batter will be on the runny, thinner side.
  • Pour the cake batter into the prepared cake pan, then gently tap on the counter 3-4 times to release any air bubbles. Bake at 350ºF for 26-28 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
  • Cool the sheet cake in the pan for 15-20 minutes. Then, carefully transfer the cake to a wire cooling rack to cool completely.

Butterscotch Buttercream Frosting

  • In a small microwaveable bowl, melt the butterscotch chips for 1 minute at full power, then stir. Heat once more for 1 minute, then stir until fully melted and smooth. Set to the side to cool slightly.
    1/3 cup Butterscotch Chips
  • Using a hand mixer or a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the unsalted butter until smooth and creamy. Add in the melted butterscotch and mix until full incorporated.
    1/2 cup Unsalted Butter
  • Reduce the mixer speed to low and gradually add in the sifted powdered sugar, heavy cream, and salt. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed. If you prefer a thinner frosting consistency, add 1/2 to 1 tablespoon more of heavy cream.
    2 cups Powdered Sugar, 1 tbsp Heavy Cream, 1/8 tsp Salt

Video

Notes

After pouring the cake batter into the pan, give the pan a few light taps on the counter to remove any air bubbles.
Don’t skip beating the eggs and sugar together for the time noted. Likewise, don’t skip sifting the dry ingredients.
I didn’t try this, but you can bake this in a 10″ x 15″ x 1″ jelly roll pan. You’ll need to adjust your baking times.
I cut this butterscotch krimpet sheet cake into 24 rectangular pieces, but you can cut them smaller or bigger if preferred. 
If you find that the frosting is too thick and unspreadable, you can add 1/2 to 1 tablespoon more of heavy cream.
Please note that this recipe has been updated effective March 14, 2025. Please make sure to review the ingredients and the instructions in this recipe card before starting.

Nutrition

Calories: 206kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 12mg | Sodium: 86mg | Potassium: 29mg | Fiber: 0.3g | Sugar: 27g | Vitamin A: 147IU | Vitamin C: 0.01mg | Calcium: 36mg | Iron: 0.1mg

Nutritional information provided above is an estimate only and will vary based on specific ingredients used. See Nutritional Disclaimer for more info.

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About Jennifer

Hi, I'm Jennifer! I love creating and sharing delicious, easy-to-make dessert recipes that bring you—and hopefully your loved ones—wonderful memories!

5 from 9 votes (4 ratings without comment)

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14 Comments

  1. Jeremy says:

    It seems like the US Customary and metric amounts don’t jive for the icing (i.e. 1/2 cup of butter isn’t 233 g). It almost seems like the amounts are doubled.
    I always use metric, and did for the cake which seems to have come out fine, but
    I’m going to make the icing following the US Customary and hope for the best.

    1. Jennifer says:

      Hi Jeremy, I sincerely apologize for that and appreciate the catch! I just recently retested/updated the recipe and inadvertently forgot to update the metric measurements (the frosting ingredient amounts were previously doubled prevously). The recipe has been updated. I hope you enjoy the butterscotch krimpets!

      1. Jeremy says:

        5 stars
        Thank you so much. These went over so well at work that by 10 o’clock I already sent two people the recipe link.

        This is a real winner.

      2. Jennifer says:

        Oh that’s awesome! I’m so happy to hear everyone enjoyed them. Thank you for sharing the recipe link too!

  2. Jennifer says:

    I’m sorry to hear you didn’t care for the recipe.

  3. Kat says:

    5 stars
    Very good! Moist and held up perfectly as the days went by and I nibbled and nibbled.
    I did cut frosting sugar in half, I’m not a fan of super sweet and it was delicious!
    Thanks for sharing!

    1. Jennifer says:

      I’m so happy you enjoyed it, Kat! Thank you for making it and for the review!

  4. Jennifer says:

    I’m sorry it wasn’t a winner for you, but I appreciate you taking the time to make it and for the feedback!

  5. Becca says:

    5 stars
    This recipe is amazing and super simple to follow. I didn’t realize how much of a fan I was about butterscotch krimpets until I tried these! I highly recommend making.

  6. Kathy says:

    5 stars
    I made this for my grandson Evan’s 10th birthday and he absolutely LOVED it! In fact, last night he asked if I would please make it again for his birthday next year!
    I added a bit (1/4 tsp.) of freshly grated nutmeg to the cake because I know Tastykake Butterscotch Krimpets have it, but also because I love nutmeg!
    Thanks for helping make Evan’s birthday a little more special, especially THIS year!

  7. Katheryn says:

    5 stars
    This was so yummy and easy to make. This is one of my new favorite things to make on a lazy Sunday where you just want no-fuss sweets.

    1. Jennifer says:

      Thank you, Katheryn! I’m so happy to hear you loved it!

  8. Ashley says:

    So easy to make and extremely tasty!

    1. Jennifer says:

      I’m so glad to hear you loved it! Thanks, Ashley!