Butterscotch Budino (Homemade Butterscotch Pudding Recipe) (2024)

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Butterscotch Budino – This classic Italian dessert recipe makes a delightfully thick, creamy, and sweet butterscotch pudding in under 30 minutes. Add a layer of salted caramel for an extra decadent treat!

Butterscotch Budino (Homemade Butterscotch Pudding Recipe) (1)

We have a local wine bar that used to serve an amazing Butterscotch Budino. Since they no longer offer it on their menu, I decided it was time to make my own.

This Italian-inspired version is a thick, creamy butterscotch pudding recipe. It’s covered with a layer of salted caramel for extra kicks and giggles.

What is Budino?

It’s the Italian word for pudding. Most budinos rely on eggs for thickening, instead of cornstarch (like American puddings). However, since this recipe starts with a thin butterscotch base, we added both eggs and cornstarch to thicken it properly.

Butterscotch vs Caramel

If you’ve ever wondered “what is butterscotch?” you are not alone! I have made traditional American-style butterscotch pudding countless times, but only recently realized I wasn’t entirely sure what it is.

Butterscotch is sort of a lighter version of caramel, started with brown sugar so it doesn’t have to cook and “caramelize” as long as true caramel (which is made from white granulated sugar).Also, it should be stated there is no scotch whisky in butterscotch. You can add booze like we did… scotch, bourbon, or rum, but it’s an add-on and not a requirement for the recipe.

Can’t choose which you like more? Lucky for you, we use both butterscotch AND caramel in this decadent dessert recipe. Butterscotch in the pudding and thick caramel on top.

Butterscotch Budino (Homemade Butterscotch Pudding Recipe) (2)

What You Need To Make This Italian Butterscotch Pudding Recipe

  • Light brown sugar – packed
  • Water
  • Salt
  • Half and half – or light whipping cream
  • Egg yolks – not the whites
  • Cornstarch
  • Butter – for richness and a glossy finish
  • Rum or bourbon (both optional)
  • Vanilla extract
  • Optional garnishesthick homemade caramel sauce and course sea salt
Butterscotch Budino (Homemade Butterscotch Pudding Recipe) (3)

How to Make Italian Butterscotch Pudding (Budino)

First, set a large saucepot over medium-low heat. Combine the brown sugar, water, and salt in the pot. Swirl the pot (don’t stir) and heat until boiling.

Cook for 5-6 minutes, until a rich brown color is formed. Immediately turn off the heat and set it aside to cool.

Butterscotch Budino (Homemade Butterscotch Pudding Recipe) (4)

While the sugar is cooling, set out a mixing bowl. Mix the half and half, egg yolks, and cornstarch. Whisk well until smooth.

Add the dairy mixture to the slightly cooled sugar, whisking continually. The sugar will seize up at first, but will meltdown as it cooks.

Butterscotch Budino (Homemade Butterscotch Pudding Recipe) (5)

Place the pot back over medium-low heat. Continue to whisk as the mixture becomes smooth and then thickens into a firm pudding consistency.

Remove from heat. Stir in the butter, rum (if using), and vanilla extract at the end.

Butterscotch Budino (Homemade Butterscotch Pudding Recipe) (6)

Then set a fine mesh strainer over a bowl and pour the budino into the strainer. Use a spatula to push it through. This helps remove any potential clump of egg or cornstarch so the budino is nice and smooth.

Get the Complete (Printable) Homemade Butterscotch Pudding Recipe + VIDEO Below. Enjoy!

  • Butterscotch Budino (Homemade Butterscotch Pudding Recipe) (7)
  • Butterscotch Budino (Homemade Butterscotch Pudding Recipe) (8)

Pour (or scoop) the budino into ½ cup ramekins or serving jars.

Butterscotch Budino (Homemade Butterscotch Pudding Recipe) (9)

Allow the homemade butterscotch pudding to cool slightly, then top with thick caramel sauce and sea salt (if desired.)

Trust me, you will want this add-on.

Butterscotch Budino (Homemade Butterscotch Pudding Recipe) (10)

Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Butterscotch Budino (Homemade Butterscotch Pudding Recipe) (11)

And there you have it – a delicious, luxurious, utterly irresistible dessert treat that’s ready to devour in less than 30 minutes.

Buon appetito!

Butterscotch Budino (Homemade Butterscotch Pudding Recipe) (12)

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this homemade butterscotch pudding recipe without alcohol?

Absolutely you can. Simply omit from the recipe for a booze-free butterscotch pudding.

What other toppings can I add to the budino?

Feel free to add all kinds of extra goodies on top of the puddings! Try chopped candied walnuts or pecans, crushed cookies, or mini chocolate chips for some great texture.

How long with butterscotch pudding keep?

They will last for up to a week stored in the refrigerator. Allow them to cool completely. Then make sure to cover the tops tightly with plastic before refrigerating.

Butterscotch Budino (Homemade Butterscotch Pudding Recipe) (13)

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Butterscotch Budino (Homemade Butterscotch Pudding Recipe) (14)

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Italian Butterscotch Pudding Recipe (Budino)

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes minutes

A classic Italian budino recipe for delightfully thick, creamy and sweet homemade butterscotch pudding in under 30 minutes. Add a layer of salted caramel for an extra decadent dessert!

Servings: 10 servings

Ingredients

US CustomaryMetric

  • 1 cup light brown sugar
  • ¼ cup water
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 4 cups half and half 2 cups milk + 2 cups heavy cream
  • 6 large egg yolks
  • 5 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 6 tablespoons butter
  • 1 ½ tablespoon dark rum or bourbon optional
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • Optional Garnishes: thick caramel sauce, course sea salt

Instructions

  • Set a large saucepot over medium-low heat. Combine the brown sugar, water, and salt in the pot. Swirl the pot (don’t stir) and heat until boiling. Cook for 5-6 minutes, until a rich brown color is formed. Turn off the heat.

  • While the sugar is cooling, set out a mixing bowl. Mix the half and half, egg yolks, and cornstarch. Whisk well until smooth.

  • Add the dairy mixture to the slightly cooled sugar, whisking continually. The sugar will seize up at first, but will melt down as it cooks.

  • Place the pot back over medium-low heat. Continue to whisk as the mixture becomes smooth and then thickens into firm pudding consistency.

  • Remove from heat. Stir in the butter, rum, and vanilla extract. Then set a fine mesh strainer over a bowl and pour the budino into the strainer. Use a spatula to push it through, if needed.

  • Pour (or scoop) the budino into ½ cup ramekins or serving jars. Allow them to cool slightly, then top with thick caramel sauce and sea salt (if desired.) Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Video

Notes

The alcohol is completely optional, to add a little oomph. Feel free to skip it entirely, or use bourbon-flavored vanilla extract instead.

Leftovers will keep well for up to a week stored covered in the refrigerator.

Nutrition

Serving: 0.5cup, Calories: 326kcal, Carbohydrates: 30g, Protein: 5g, Fat: 21g, Saturated Fat: 12g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 6g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 171mg, Sodium: 344mg, Potassium: 171mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 22g, Vitamin A: 708IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 138mg, Iron: 1mg

Course: Dessert, Holiday

Cuisine: American, Italian

Author: Sommer Collier

Making this recipe?Follow us on Instagram and tag @ASpicyPerspective so we can share what you’re cooking!

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Butterscotch Budino (Homemade Butterscotch Pudding Recipe) (2024)

FAQs

Why is my butterscotch pudding not setting? ›

Here's a tip: Make sure to bring the pudding to a full, vigorous boil to activate the cornstarch. Otherwise, it may not set. If you've ever ended up with thin, runny pudding, undercooking may have been the issue.

What is butterscotch pudding made of? ›

Homemade butterscotch pudding is in its own playing field. In 1 pot, we're combining caramelized brown sugar and butter with a splash of vanilla and bourbon. Butterscotch pudding is luxuriously creamy and velvet-rich. Top with salted caramel, fresh whipped cream, and toffee bits for a truly unforgettable dessert.

What is budino made of? ›

Made from a milk and egg custard thickened with cornstarch, budino is similar to American puddings and custards; however, budino tends to have a richer, eggier texture, akin to Mexican flan. Better still, budino almost always includes some type of crust, like crushed cookies, and a whipped cream-based topping.

Why is my butterscotch pudding grainy? ›

If, while you are waiting for the milk mixture to simmer, you combine the sugar and eggs too early but do not whisk often, the sugar can start to coagulate the eggs, which will result in a grainy final texture. Also, I agree that the 18 minutes thing is wierd. Over moderate heat, the eggs would scramble.

How do you fix pudding that didn't set? ›

Your best bet would be to mix a tablespoon of cornstarch and a teaspoon of sugar with some of the beverage and add it to the warm pudding. Heat it to a bubble and stir until it thickens.

Why is my butterscotch not thickening? ›

If the sauce cools down and you still find it to be too thin, then it's undercooked. You can place it back on the heat for a bit to let it thicken up even more.

What is the main ingredient in butterscotch? ›

Butterscotch is a type of confectionery whose primary ingredients are brown sugar and butter. Some recipes include corn syrup, cream, vanilla, and salt. The earliest known recipes, in mid-19th century Yorkshire, used treacle (molasses) in place of, or in addition to, sugar.

What's the difference between caramel and butterscotch pudding? ›

The main difference between caramel and butterscotch is that caramel is made by heating white, granulated sugar to various stages, while butterscotch is made with brown sugar and butter, which gives it a deeper, more rounded flavor, thanks to the butter and molasses.

What flavor makes butterscotch? ›

What Is Butterscotch? Butterscotch is butter and brown sugar that has been slowly heated together to create a soft-crack candy. Just like caramel, the brown sugar molecules break down and, thanks to the addition of molasses in the sugar, caramelize into a richer, deeper flavor than classic caramel.

What's the difference between pudding and budino? ›

The most immediately-noticeable difference is in texture. While pudding's base is made with sugar, cornstarch, and milk, budino is thickened with egg yolks. The richness added by the egg yolks gives budino a sturdier, springier structure.

What does budino mean in english? ›

Like the English word "pudding", "budino" originally referred to a type of medieval sausage. Budino is the Italian word for custard or pudding.

What is the meaning of budino? ›

“Budino” is an Italian word that means pudding, but the concept of pudding goes back to Medieval times in England. Medieval puddings were savory and often served with sausages, meats and blood. The Italian rendition chose a sweeter path by replacing the proteins with nuts and cookies.

Does Jello make cooked butterscotch pudding? ›

Snack happy. Jell-O Butterscotch Artificially Flavored Cook & Serve Pudding & Pie Filling Mix tastes great whether you enjoy it as a treat or use it as an ingredient in your favorite dessert recipes. Add some wonder to your day with a delicious snack.

Does butterscotch pudding contain Scotch whiskey? ›

Add butter, vanilla, and Scotch; pulse until well blended. Pour into 6 (4-to-6-ounce) ramekins or serving dishes. Press a piece of plastic wrap against surface of each pudding, and chill 4 hours or up to 2 days. Serve cold, and garnish, with buttered pecans.

How do you make pudding smooth? ›

  1. Be sure to whisk the dry ingredients thoroughly before adding water to avoid clumps.
  2. Stir constantly while the pudding simmers to prevent lumps from forming.
  3. Use a whisk to stir the pudding instead of a spoon for a smoother consistency.
Feb 9, 2021

How do I get my pudding to set? ›

If it hasn't set, leave the pudding in the fridge a while longer. Once your pudding has set, remove it from the fridge and stir it. Mix in any additional ingredients (banana slices, strawberries, etc.). Spoon the pudding into individual serving dishes.

Why is my caramel pudding watery? ›

A runny custard is a sign that it has not been fully cooked and so is not setting. You want to take it out of the oven when it appears firm but has just a slight wobble to it.

How many hours does it take for pudding to set? ›

Set the bowl, uncovered, in the refrigerator. After 15 minutes, cover the pudding with a sheet of plastic wrap pressed against the surface and refrigerate until fully thickened, about 2 hours. To serve: Whip the thickened pudding with a hand or stand mixer for a full minute to restore its creamy texture.

How long does it take for pudding to fully set? ›

Cover the surface of the pudding with a round piece of parchment and refrigerate until the pudding reaches 45 degrees F, approximately 2 hours.

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