This Homemade Butterscotch Pudding recipe is one of the best desserts you will ever consume. It is sweet, creamy, and buttery with a caramelized flavor that will make you never want to make boxed pudding mix again.
My family loves to enjoy this butterscotch pudding right in the dish, but it also is excellent served up in a pie crust or Cream Puffs!
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🥣 The Underrated Dessert
I have always loved butterscotch. It rates right up there with caramel and salted caramel in my book. However, pudding just wasn't a dessert I thought of eating on it's own. It was more of an ingredient that came in a box for other recipes we made.
Then one day, as an adult, I was visiting my former 4th grade teacher, Mrs. Baker, who also happened to be Great Aunt to my husband. She was one of the best cooks I knew. Her chicken and dumplings could not be beat. Then she introduced me to her homemade Butterscotch Pudding recipe.
I fell in love. I will never forget that first bite. The creamy, buttery, sweet caramelized flavors of butterscotch came through. Butterscotch pudding jello doesn't hold a candle to this recipe!
👪 Serving Size
This homemade recipe for butterscotch pudding will serve 6 people.
🥘 Ingredients
- Whole milk and heavy cream is the combination that will make this butterscotch pudding creamy and rich and absolutely delicious.
- Cornstarch and egg yolks are the thickening agents for this recipe.
- Dark brown sugar and water are the magic ingredient that will give the this dessert the caramelized butterscotch flavor. Light brown sugar will work also, but dark brown sugar deepens that caramel flavor.
- Unsalted butter and vanilla extract are added to enhance the butterscotch flavor.
- Scotch, rum, or bourbon are an excellent but optional addition to the flavor of butterscotch. My favorite is scotch and if you haven't tried it in pudding, I highly recommend it.
- Whipping cream and bits of brickle for topping the butterscotch pudding are also optional but add a nice touch to the finished product.
🍽 Equipment
Heavy duty saucepan. I like to use this 1.5 quart saucepan. The thick bottom aids preventing scorching.
Hand whisk. I use a hand whisk every single day and for this recipe I recommend this sauce and gravy hand whisk. It is made especially for making this type of recipe.
Serving dishes. These dishes aren't a requirement as you can use any dish in your cabinet that suits your need to serve up this pudding. But, having said that, these dessert dishes are elegant. I love to use them when serving homemade butterscotch pudding for special family dinners.
🔪 Instructions
This homemade butterscotch pudding is made in a few very simple steps. The ingredients are whisked together in two separate steps, then combined at the end.
Step 1:
- In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the egg yolks and cornstarch until well combined. Set aside.
- In a 4 cup measure, stir together the milk and heavy cream. Set aside.
Step 2:
- Add the brown sugar, water, and salt to a medium sized heavy duty saucepan Cook over medium heat until the sugar is dissolved and begins to bubble. Continue to cook for 2 minutes, stirring often to prevent burning.
- Slowly whisk the milk and heavy cream into the brown sugar mixture.
- Continue to cook over medium heat until the mixture begins to boil.
Step 3:
- Remove ½ cup of the milk mixture from the saucepan and whisk into the egg yolk mixture until fully incorporated.
- Slowly whisk the egg yolk mixture back into the milk mixture. Turn the heat down to low and continue to whisk as the pudding bubbles and thickens. Cook for 1 minute while continuing to stir.
- Remove the pudding from the heat and let it cool for 5 minutes. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
💭 Top Tips
- The milk and heavy cream will spatter and sizzle when adding it to the brown sugar mixture so it is important to add the ingredients slowly and carefully.
- Be sure to whisk constantly when adding the hot milk to the egg yolk mixture to prevent the eggs from scrambling.
- Whisk constantly when adding the egg yolk mixture back to the milk mixture on the stove.
- To prevent a skin from forming on top of the pudding, I like to place plastic wrap over the top of the pudding, making sure it touches the pudding.
👩🏻🍳 FAQs
Moisture from condensation build up during the cooling process can cause the pudding to become runny. This is why I like to put plastic wrap right on top of the pudding itself. Be sure to smooth out any pockets of air between the pudding and plastic wrap to prevent condensation.
Curdling happens under two circumstances. Either the eggs were not at room temperature when adding to the hot milk, or the hot milk was added too quickly to the egg mixture.
Either the egg mixture was cooked too fast or too long. A solution can be to use an immersion blender to work out the lumps.
Butterscotch flavor comes from using brown sugar where caramel uses granulated sugar.
📖 Variations
- Make a chocolate pudding and layer between chocolate and butterscotch in the serving dishes.
- Substitute light brown sugar for a less prominent caramel flavor
- Top the pudding with whipped cream and then sprinkle with dark chocolate shavings, toasted pecans, or dust with espresso powder.
- Bake a chocolate or vanilla sheet cake and poke holes over the surface of the baked cooled cake. Spread the pudding over top of the cake and add a layer of cool whip.
📚 Related Recipes
If you love deep rich caramelized butterscotch flavors and I especially love these Butternut Squash Cookies with Brown Sugar Frosting. Below are more recipes that have that addicting butterscotch taste.
*If you made this recipe, please give it a star rating*
📖 Recipe
Homemade Butterscotch Pudding
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Ingredients
- 1½ cups whole milk
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ½ cup packed dark brown sugar
- ¼ cup cornstarch
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 3 large egg yolks
- 3 tablespoons water
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon scotch, rum, or bourbon (optional)
Instructions
- In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the egg yolks and cornstarch until well combined. Set aside.
- In a 4 cup measure, stir together the milk and heavy cream. Set aside.
- Add the brown sugar, water, and salt to a medium sized heavy duty saucepan Cook over medium heat until the sugar is dissolved and begins to bubble. Continue to cook for 2 minutes, stirring often to prevent burning.
- Slowly whisk the milk and heavy cream into the brown sugar mixture. Continue to cook over medium heat until the mixture begins to boil.
- Remove ½ cup of the milk mixture from the saucepan and whisk into the egg yolk mixture until fully incorporated.
- Slowly whisk the egg yolk mixture back into the milk mixture. Turn the heat down to low and continue to whisk as the pudding bubbles and thickens. Cook for 1 minute while continuing to stir.
- Remove the pudding from the heat and let it cool for 5 minutes. Add the butter and vanilla extract. Stir until smooth. Refrigerate at least 4 hours prior to serving.
Notes
- The milk and heavy cream will spatter and sizzle when adding it to the brown sugar mixture so it is important to add the ingredients slowly and carefully.
- Be sure to whisk constantly when adding the hot milk to the egg yolk mixture to prevent the eggs from scrambling.
- Whisk constantly when adding the egg yolk mixture back to the milk mixture on the stove.
- To prevent a skin from forming on top of the pudding, I like to place plastic wrap over the top of the pudding, making sure it touches the pudding.
Ann says
There are no salt measurements. No instructions for adding the butter. Help !
Shelby Law Ruttan says
Hi Ann, sorry about that. It has been fixed now.
kim says
yum, your pudding looks delicious and pretty! love the whipped cream topping. i enjoyed it too 🙂
happy new year!
Lynnylu says
Great looking pudding! I like the whipped cream topping.
Kevin says
It has been too long since I last had butterscotch! The pudding looks great! Happy holidays!
Peggy says
I'm so glad about your MIL coming home. That is great news. Have a wonderful Christmas!
SaraLynn says
Looks wonderful!
I am glad to hear Grumpy's mom is better. I wish you all a very Merry Christmas!
Flourchild says
Great looking pudding. Im glad your MIL is better.
creative one says
The pudding looks yummy! I am a big fan of butterscotch pudding!!
Glad to hear that your mother in law is coming home.
shellyfish says
Merry Christmas Honey B! I'm so glad to hear your MIL is on her way home - have a beautiful holiday with your family.
Geri says
Hmmmmm. Butterscotch pudding. I love butterscotch. As a matter of fact, I have a butterscotch pie recipe and it is to die for. My husband is constantly wanting me to make it.
Cakelaw says
Your puddings turned out great! The sweet tooth in me hankers after the one with the whipped cream and nuts on top - yum! Merry Christmas to you and your family.
honeyb says
Your pudding looks SO good. I didn't make this week's pick. Will have to try it sometimes as everyone seems to be loving it.
Glad to have your MIL home for the holidays!
There's a giveaway on my blog.
Di says
Your pudding looks terrific with all the whipped cream--yum! And I'm glad that Grumpy's mom won't have to spend Christmas in the hospital. Have a great holiday!
noble pig says
Thank goodness for her coming home!
The pudding with the cream, OMG looks like heaven and I could dive right in! Wow.
Annie says
Glad to hear good news about Grumpy's mum, even better that it is at Christmas! Wishing you all a yummy day!
J.Danger says
yours looks so good! I want that whipped cream!
Gabe's Girl says
You are awesome. I, too, am very happy that Grumpy's mom will be home for the holiday season. It will be comforting and joyous. There is no place like home. Have a wonderful holiday!
Melissa says
Ooooh! I love anything butterscotch flavor. This sounds super yummy!
SUGAR B says
Wow, I always drool when I visit your blog. Your pudding looks so yum-yum.
Glad Grumpy's mom is heading home!
Happy Holidays!
pinkstripes says
Your butterscotch pudding looks wonderful. I love the addition of the whipped cream and pecans. YUM!
Marc @ NoRecipes says
Yumm, I love butterscotch! Happy Holidays!
CookiePie says
So happy to hear about Grumpy's mom, especially in time for Christmas! And that pudding looks divine -- I love butterscotch!
Jules Someone says
Glad you enjoyed the pudding. Yours looks so festive!
Pam says
I am glad to hear Grumpy's mom will be home for Christmas. I am sure it will be extra special this year. The butterscotch pudding looks and sounds amazing. I have been craving butterscotch lately...guess I'll have to make this.
LyB says
We all enjoyed this pudding so much. Yours looks delicious! 🙂
Patsyk says
Such great news that your MIL is coming home today! I hope she continues on a fast road to recovery.
Your pudding looks wonderful! I'm sure Grumpy just had to smile when he was eating it!
Happy Holidays!
Amy says
Glad to hear your Mother in Law is going home!
Your Pudding looks delicious! Glad it was well-received.
Merry Christmas!
Gera says
Hi HoneyB!
Hurray your Mom is back just in time for the Holydays and she feels better!!
Extremely delectable with the whipped cream..as a heaven into a dessert 🙂
Have a great Christmas you and your family!!
Gera .:. sweetsfoods
spike. says
The whipped cream on top looks pretty perfect. Have a nice Christmas
Bunny says
She's coming home just in time for Christmas, that's so nice. How's your arm feeling?? The pudding looks great HoneyB!! Merry Christmas to you and your family!
Reeni says
That's wonderful that she will be home for Christmas. I could dive into that butterscotch, how delicious!
Elle says
I'm so happy she's coming home! Your pudding looks absolutely delicious!
Donna says
I'm so glad Grumpy was happy and liked my choice!
Beautiful job and photos too!
Have a wonderful holiday!
Donna
Sabrina says
Great news Shelby! I'm happy that your MIL is doing so well!
Your pudding looks fantastic!
Merry Christmas!
Maria says
I am glad Grumpy's mom can be home for the holidays!! The pudding looks great!!
Robin Sue says
It looks beautiful with that cloud of whipped cream on top! I love homemade puddings and they are so over looked. Have a great day, it is so good to hear your MIL is coming home!!
Natashya says
Your photos are so beautiful, so happy your man loved them as much as mine did!
Have a wonderful holiday.
Medena says
Somebody has been more of a busyB laetely! Man, I can't keep up with you! I have the book, and your pudding looks great! Love pudding! Glad to hear Grumpy's mom is doing well! Merry Christmas HoneyB, to you and your entire family!!!
Prudy says
Hooray that Grumpy's mom will be home for the holidays. I hope you are all hanging in there! YOur pudding would add a little comfort for anyone, I think, especially in those pretty dishes with that whipped cream. Merry Christmas!
Meg says
I am so glad that Grumpy's mom is coming home! What a blessing.
Butterscotch is my favorite. Your pudding looks delicious!
Danielle says
Lifiting a glass of pudding in the hopes your mother in law has a full recovery.
Your pudding looks great. Our husbands having different ideas about butterscotch pudding wanna trade!?!?!
Marthe says
Congratulations on Gurmpy's moms homecoming for Christmas!!
The pudding looks amazing! I can't wait to make mine tonight!! I'll also be making triple chocolate cookies for Craving Ellie in my Belly tonight!! Jum!!
Cristine says
I am so glad that Grumpy's mom will be heading home... and just in time for Christmas! Lots of love and prayers coming for you and your family!
Your pudding looks fantastic, and there is the added bonus that Grumpy liked it! 🙂
Hope you have a wonderful Christmas!!!