Butterscotch Budino (Homemade Butterscotch Pudding Recipe) (2024)

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Butterscotch Budino – This classic Italian dessert recipe makes a delightfully thick, creamy, 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 Recipe. 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 to create flavor.

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 extractor vanilla bean seed paste
  • Optional garnishesthick homemade caramel sauce and coarse sea salt or kosher salt
Butterscotch Budino (Homemade Butterscotch Pudding Recipe) (3)

How to Make Italian Butterscotch Pudding (Budino)

First, set a large sauce pan 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 amber 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 cream mixture to the slightly cooled dark caramel, whisking continually. The sugar will seize up at first, but will melt down 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)
Butterscotch Budino (Homemade Butterscotch Pudding Recipe) (9)

Pour (or scoop) the budino into ½ cup ramekins or serving jars. 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. Cover and refrigerate the custard until ready to serve.

Butterscotch Budino (Homemade Butterscotch Pudding Recipe) (10)
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

What is the difference between budino and flan? ›

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.

Does butterscotch pudding contain Scotch whiskey? ›

This creamy pudding, thickened with cornstarch and egg yolks and stirred together on the stove, is as homey as it gets. Spiking the mixture with a little bourbon or Scotch isn't strictly traditional, but it does add a pop of flavor.

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's the difference between caramel and butterscotch? ›

The difference between butterscotch and caramel is that caramel is made with white granulated sugar and cooked to 340 degrees Fahrenheit, whereas butterscotch is made with brown sugar and cooked to 289 degrees Fahrenheit.

What does the word budino mean in english? ›

Budino is a sweet Italian dish, usually rich and creamy like a custard or pudding. Like the English word "pudding", "budino" originally referred to a type of medieval sausage. Budino is the Italian word for custard or pudding.

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.

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.

Does Jell-O still make butterscotch pudding? ›

Oh, you can get those little single-serve, ready-to-eat cups in butterscotch flavor. But you can't get Jell-O butterscotch mix, those deck-of-cards-size boxes of just-add-milk powder. Only chocolate and vanilla and, sometimes, banana cream.

What is the brown thing in butterscotch? ›

Butterscotch is made using brown sugar and butter as its primary ingredients. The brown sugar contains molasses and imparts a rich, deep sweetness with toffee notes. Butter adds a creamy, rich flavour; often, butterscotch recipes include cream and vanilla for added richness and depth.

Why would butterscotch pudding turn green? ›

Two common reasons for this color change are: Cocoa powder is slightly acidic, and when it comes into contact with an alkaline substance, such as baking soda or baking powder, the cocoa's color can change to green. These substances are often used in baking or dessert recipes to help with rising or leavening.

Why do they put scotch in butterscotch? ›

The "scotch" part of its name possibly was derived from the word "scorch". In 1855, F. K. Robinson's Glossary of Yorkshire Words explained Butterscotch as "a treacle ball with an amalgamation of butter in it".

Why is butterscotch called butterscotch? ›

butterscotch, usually hard candy made by boiling brown sugar and butter and sometimes corn syrup together in water. The derivation of the name is disputed as to whether it denotes the candy's origin in Scotland or an original ingredient of “scotched,” or scorched, butter.

What flavor is closest to butterscotch? ›

Similar to caramel, butterscotch is made by heating sugar. The main difference between the two is that butterscotch uses brown sugar instead of white.

Does dulce de leche taste like butterscotch? ›

Thick, smooth and boasting an intense butterscotch flavour, dulce de leche is the queen of caramel sauces.

Is Werther's caramel or butterscotch? ›

Werther's Original products are made of the finest caramel. We use the best ingredients to make every piece something worthy of being wrapped in gold!

What is the difference between Mexican flan and Vietnamese flan? ›

Texture: Mexican flan is known for being denser and creamier in texture, while Vietnamese flan is more smooth and silky. Serving style: Mexican flan is usually served in a deep dish or ramekin, and the caramel sauce is poured over the top.

What is budino made of? ›

Budino is similar to pudding, but it's made with lots and eggs and no cornstarch. I'm not too fond of recipes with corn starch at the thickener because it tends to be super thick and have a chalky aftertaste, even when cooked properly. Well, my friends, the Italians know what they are doing.

What is a Spanish flan called? ›

Spain. In Spain, crème caramel is a typical dessert that is often homemade and is also sold in grocery stores and restaurants with many variations. The best known version is the typical flan de huevo (egg flan), but there are many other versions, such as flan de queso, flan de leche, flan de vainilla, etc.

What is another name for flan? ›

Many Names for an Iconic Dessert.

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