Old Fashioned Butterscotch Pudding ~ this silky, crave-able pudding recipe satisfies a primal need for comfort. Warm or cold, homemade butterscotch pudding is always right.
A perfect butterscotch pudding recipe is long overdue on the blog!
I don’t know why it’s taken me so long because one of the best things I’ve ever eaten was a dense, rich, butterscotch pot de creme at a restaurant that haunted me for years after. I eventually made my Salted Caramel Pot de Creme, which scratched that itch for a while, but I’ve been craving a simpler, throw it together on a whim recipe that would give me the butterscotch-y experience without the extra trouble. Enter this old fashioned homey butterscotch pudding, yum.
This simple butterscotch pudding recipe has been well tested
I must have made 4 different versions till I got it perfect. I’m not complaining, we ate every last bite of every batch. But this final pudding is just what I was looking for.
I first tried the simplest approach, using just cornstarch to thicken the pudding. But I didn’t get that super thick lush texture I was after. I discovered that you can’t really leave out the eggs in a great classic pudding without sacrificing richness and texture.
What exactly is butterscotch?
Butterscotch is a simple mixture of brown sugar a butter. It can be a hard candy, or a sauce, or a flavor profile like it is in my pudding recipe today.
The difference between butterscotch and caramel? Caramel uses white sugar and also includes heavy cream.
Pro tips for making butterscotch pudding ~
- Use a good heavy bottomed pan so the pudding cooks evenly without scorching.
- Adding a little bit of water helps your sugar melt evenly.
- Don’t stir while your brown sugar is bubbling.
- I like to have both a whisk and a silicone spoonula available while the pudding is cooking so I can switch back and forth as needed.
- When adding the butter at the end, I make sure to whisk very well to get it all incorporated.
Warm or cold?
I love to eat at least one serving of pudding warm, right out of the pan, there’s nothing like it. But it won’t be as thick as it is after it’s been chilled. I like to enjoy it both ways.
If you’re making this for guests, allow at least 2 hours of chilling time.
Butterscotch Pudding
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup dark brown sugar
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 3 Tbsp water
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 3 Tbsp corn starch
- 3 large egg yolks
- 3 Tbsp unsalted butter, room temperature, cut into pieces
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tsp bourbon (optional)
Instructions
- Over medium/medium-low heat, melt the brown sugar with the salt and the water. The water helps the sugar to dissolve and melt evenly. Heat until bubbling, and continue to cook for 5-6 minutes more, keeping a close eye on it and making sure it doesn't burn. Don't stir it while it is cooking, but you can swirl the pan around a bit to distribute the heat if needed.
- Allow the melted brown sugar to cool for a few minutes.
- Meanwhile, dissolve the cornstarch in a little bit of the milk, and whisk until very smooth. Add the egg yolks, and whisk until smooth.
- Add the corn starch slurry to the rest of the milk and cream, and whisk briefly to combine everything.
- Add the milk/cream mixture to the partially cooled brown sugar, whisking as you go. The sugar will seize up and become hard, but don't worry, everything will melt once the pan goes back on the heat.
- Return the pan to the heat, and gently bring the whole mixture to a boil over medium-low heat, whisking constantly. Once all the brown sugar has dissolved and the mixture is beginning to thicken, switch to a silicone spatula so that you can scrape the bottom and sides of the pan as it thickens.
- Once the pudding comes to a boil, (it should be quite thick), take it off the heat and immediately pour it through a fine mesh strainer.
- Add the butter, vanilla extract, and whiskey (if using), and whisk vigorously to combine (I whisked mine for a good minute or so to get the butter well incorporated.)
- Pour the pudding into serving containers, and enjoy warm, or allow it to fully set in the fridge. It will be fully set in a couple hours.
notes and variations
Other cozy desserts to try ~
49 Comments
Cheryl
March 27, 2021 at 2:36 pmThe very best butterscotch pudding I have ever tasted.
Ursula
March 15, 2021 at 2:02 pmAre there any bad reviews? Followed the recipe exactly. I’m not the best cook in the world, but found this too time consuming. The test will be if my husband likes it.
Deb Kelner
February 19, 2021 at 5:43 pmSue, you’ve done it again! I have searched for butterscotch pudding that wasn’t so overly sweet that you couldn’t taste the lovely caramelized flavor. This is it! Made this today (doubled the recipe) because I brought dinner to the neighbor who just had hip replacement surgery. Couldn’t make it for them and not have some for us….. Holy yum! I’ve decided that your pecan sandie recipe will be a yummy accompaniement. Thank you!
Joy
February 13, 2021 at 5:30 pmThis is the most delicious butterscotch pudding I have ever tasted. We ate it all warm and it was amazing! Followed the recipe exactly and wouldn’t change a thing! Also, I wouldn’t bother with the whipped cream on top because it is perfect. 11/10
Sue Moran
February 13, 2021 at 5:33 pmThanks Joy…there’s nothing better on this earth than warm pudding.
Barbara Wagner
February 12, 2021 at 12:05 pmHi – Can I make this a day ahead?
Sue Moran
February 12, 2021 at 12:40 pmYes, sure.
Bonnie
February 10, 2021 at 6:37 pmWould this be the recipe to use for a pie as well as a pudding? (Dumb question probably…) but I’m making a butterscotch icebox pie and this recipe looks great.
Sue Moran
February 11, 2021 at 5:18 amYou could use it but remember it does need to get cooked.
Dotty McClelland
February 11, 2021 at 4:50 pmDefinitely! I was trying to think about a topping. Praline? Delicious pudding. I also think it would be a great ice cream base without the cornstarch. Didn’t strain and didn’t need to.
Dotty McClelland
February 11, 2021 at 4:51 pmMeant to give 5 stars.
Sue Moran
February 12, 2021 at 5:44 amI fixed it for you, thanks 🙂
Amy Appell
February 1, 2021 at 7:26 pmExcellent pudding! Because we are a large family andwe do not like a lot of sugar, I doubled the recipe, except for the sugar. I also used three cups of milk and one cup of heavy cream and it came out beautiful… We didn’t strain it either, and there was none left (in fact, one of the kids who was too slow on the draw didn’t get to taste too much)! Definitely a keeper!
Caren
January 31, 2021 at 4:27 amThis was simple and perfect for a chilly day, warm out of the pan. I doubled the recipe, and everything came out very well – and I had plenty left to chill & set! Really nice balance of flavors.
Genola
January 28, 2021 at 2:36 pmIt’s a cold gloomy day here in South Dakota. I just made this pudding and it is beautiful! I didn’t have cream so used a can of evaporated milk and added whole milk to make the two cups. It turned out perfect! I did not strain and it is perfectly smooth and satiny. Probably the best homemade pudding I’ve ever made. Thank you! ( did not add the bourbon)
Heather Mader
January 23, 2021 at 5:24 pmMade this today using the exact recipe except instead of regular milk I only had coconut milk. I still used the heavy cream and all the other ingredients. It was delicious and worked perfectly. Thank you!
Sheila
January 8, 2021 at 10:25 amI made it with whole milk, no cream, tho I’m sure cream would’ve been even tastier. Also, I used coconut sugar so not sure the taste was the very best. No need to strain, it was totally smooth and delicious.
Kristin Daniel
December 26, 2020 at 11:32 pmThis was absolutely delicious! I made it two nights in a row. The first batch was lighter than the first in color and taste. I figured I didn’t let the brown sugar brown long enough. I was a afraid of it burning. I also cut the bourbon in 1/2 for kiddos. Second night (no kiddos!): I let the sugar brown for 1-2 min longer and added the full bourbon the recipe calls for. It was amazing! My husband (who tried both and loved both) agreed that the second batch was perfect. Topped with whipped cream and a shavings from a spiced chocolate bar. This could seriously be served at a very nice restaurant. It’s a keeper.
Leah
December 26, 2020 at 7:00 amThis pudding is delicious and cooked up exactly per the instructions. The only thing I wouldn’t do next time is strain it as there were no lumps.
vivian
December 5, 2020 at 5:19 pmThis was so good! I haven’t had pudding in a long time, maybe because I got turned off by the packaged kind. This is a totally different thing – so smooth and rich. Thanks for a great recipe!
Jake
November 24, 2020 at 8:05 pmGreat recipe! This came out perfectly smooth and tasty on the first try! I’ll add a little more bourbon next time, for my own taste buds, but great texture and flavor. Excellent instructions also.
chris
November 16, 2020 at 6:58 pmthe flavor is very good but there must be something wrong in the amounts of ingredients. it turned out like paper mache paste! so sticky and thick. to bad we were looking for a good recipe.
Sue
November 17, 2020 at 7:05 amSo sorry this didn’t work out for you Chris, without more details I’m not sure what could have gone wrong.
Laurie D
October 10, 2020 at 5:20 pmWow! this pudding came out so well! It’s absolutely delicious. I followed the recipe exactly – no additions or changes were needed. We love it! Thanks!
Susan
September 30, 2020 at 6:27 pmMy mother use to make Butterscotch pies. She would make a pie crust, the butterscotch pudding, and top it with merengue made with the reserved egg whites….delicious!
Sue
September 30, 2020 at 6:32 pmThat’s a classic!
Vanessa
September 19, 2020 at 3:18 amIs it ok if we only have whole milk? I don’t have heavy cream, but I have all of the other ingredients! I want to make this today, since it’s National Butterscotch pudding day!!
Sue
September 19, 2020 at 5:45 amyes definitely ~ and Happy Pudding Day 🙂
Trudy
September 14, 2020 at 1:23 pmThis pudding is AMAZING! I make it all the time. Thanks for an absolute fav recipie
Karen
September 5, 2020 at 7:13 amWhy do you use only the yolk?
Meredith Collinson
June 20, 2020 at 11:12 amIs the brown sugar a packed 1/2 cup?
Sue
June 20, 2020 at 12:42 pmJust lightly pack it.
Ashley
May 9, 2020 at 6:13 pmWould light brown sugar work in this recipe?
Sue
May 9, 2020 at 7:25 pmYes, for sure. Your color and flavor might be a shade lighter.
Rich Haney
February 14, 2021 at 2:38 amAdd about 1 1/2 tsp of molasses to the light brown sugar (1 tbsp per cup). That’s the major difference between light and dark brown sugar.
j
April 29, 2020 at 10:16 amsuper easy & sooooo yummy!!! my mom used to make butterscotch pudding back in the day…this took me back!
Sue
April 29, 2020 at 12:35 pmMy mom used to make it too <3
Beth
April 23, 2020 at 3:13 pmDamn! I have all the ingredients AND ONLY SKIM MILK in the house… Arrrrgghhhh.
This would’ve really hit the spot tonight. Oh, well. C’est la vie.
Sue
April 23, 2020 at 4:30 pmYou can make it with skim milk, Beth, it just won’t be as good 😉
Kelly G
November 9, 2020 at 8:39 pmI used Skim Milk and added a whole stick of butter. It was delicious!
Carol
April 21, 2020 at 3:57 pmI dont have heavy cream. Do you thonk half and half would work or do you have a suggestion? Thanks!
Sue
April 21, 2020 at 4:18 pmYes, for sure. You can also use milk, or any combination of the three.
Shaban
April 21, 2020 at 7:37 amOh man that looks delicious! Why do I keep seeing all these food blogs and recipes now that I am quarantines without the ingredients to make anything :<
Estelle Cole
April 20, 2020 at 6:52 pmHave you ever made this with Almond Milk?
Sue
April 20, 2020 at 7:25 pmI haven’t, but I think it should work just fine.
Angela McDarren
April 20, 2020 at 1:23 pmThis looks so delicious. I only have skim milk. . Do you think it would work if I replaced some of the milk with heavy cream and if so what would the proportions be? Thanks Sue for all your wonderful recipes.
Sue
April 20, 2020 at 1:43 pmI think that would work great.
Martha
April 20, 2020 at 8:38 amVery curious as to why this would have to be strained? Is it okay without straining?
Sue
April 20, 2020 at 11:45 amYes, you can skip the straining, it’s just a precaution in case you have any lumps.