Butterscotch Pudding

Nothing beats the taste of homemade Butterscotch Pudding! This rich, creamy dessert will bring back memories of afternoons at Grandma’s house.

This homemade pudding transports you back to cozy childhood memories. With its luxuriously creamy and velvet-rich texture, it’s no wonder why this old-fashioned treat remains a favorite for many dessert lovers. The key to its distinct flavor lies in the caramelization of dark brown sugar, complemented by perfectly balanced notes of butter and vanilla.

You don’t have to be an expert in the kitchen to make this delectable pudding from scratch. Homemade butterscotch pudding is surprisingly easy to create with simple ingredients. It’s the ultimate comfort food in an easy pudding recipe. No box mix here!

If you were to ask me to choose between butterscotch and chocolate, I would, hands down, always choose butterscotch. I don’t even give it a second thought. I have loved butterscotch’s rich sweetness since I started eating solid foods. 

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My mom used to make Butterscotch Pudding from an instant pudding mix. They were yummy, but you cannot beat the homemade taste. 

Homemade Butterscotch Pudding is just so much better. 

This is a vintage recipe from my grandmother’s era. She would never dream of using a packaged mix when it’s so easy and much better to make it from scratch. If you try this recipe, you will understand exactly what I mean.

Why You’ll Love It

• Warm and comforting. Unlike store-bought mixes, a homemade classic butterscotch pudding uses real butter and brown sugar, creating a depth of flavor that hits just the right notes.
• Simple to make. It requires just a few basic ingredients you will likely have on hand. This means you can whip up a delicious dessert without making a special trip to the grocery store.
• Versatile. Serve it in various ways, such as in individual pudding cups or layered in a trifle with whipped cream and cookies. It’s also great topped with sea salt or a drizzle of caramel sauce or butterscotch sauce for added decadence.

Ingredients

The full printable recipe card with measurements and instructions is found at the bottom of the post.

• Unsalted butter: Provides richness and helps caramelize the brown sugar for that classic, smooth butterscotch taste. 
• Dark brown sugar: The main source of the sweet, caramel-like flavor that defines butterscotch. Using dark brown sugar adds depth to the flavor profile. 
• Scalded milk: Scalding the milk helps melt the sugar and other ingredients smoothly, creating a creamy texture for the pudding. 
• Cold milk: Dissolves the cornstarch before mixing it with the hot ingredients, ensuring no lumps in the pudding.
• Cornstarch: Acts as a thickener to provide the right consistency and texture for your butterscotch pudding. 
• Salt: Enhances the flavors of the other ingredients and balances the sweetness of the pudding. Table salt or kosher salt is fine to use.
• Vanilla extract: Adds a touch of warmth and complexity to the overall flavor of the butterscotch pudding, rounding out the taste beautifully.

As you can see, there are NO eggs in this recipe.  

How to Make Butterscotch Pudding

Follow along to learn how to make butterscotch pudding. Just like grandma’s recipe!

• Step One: Add butter and brown sugar to a heavy saucepan over low heat and stir constantly until the sugar melts. Slowly add the brown sugar mixture to scalded milk and stir until blended.

• Step Two: In a small bowl, stir together cornstarch, salt, and cold milk. Add the cornstarch mixture to the scalded milk mixture.
• Step Three: Cook on medium heat until thickened, stirring constantly. 

• Step Four: Cool slightly and then add vanilla. Stir.
• Step Five: Pour pudding into individual serving dishes. Serve warm or cold, topped with nuts or whipped cream.

What to Serve with It

• Whipped Cream: A dollop of whipped cream on top of your butterscotch pudding adds a light and airy contrast to the rich and creamy dessert. You can make your own whipped cream at home or use store-bought.
• Cookies or Biscotti: Crumble up some cookies or biscotti and sprinkle them on top of your pudding for a delicious and crunchy texture. You can also use graham crackers, shortbread cookies, or ginger snaps.
• Fresh Fruit: Adding fresh fruit to your butterscotch pudding can provide a burst of natural sweetness and a welcome touch of acidity to balance the richness. Add sliced bananas, diced apples, or even a handful of berries.
• Caramel Sauce: Drizzling a warm caramel sauce over your butterscotch pudding can intensify the flavor and create a luxurious indulgence that is hard to resist.
• Chopped Nuts: Try sprinkling chopped nuts on your pudding for some crunch. Pecans, walnuts, or almonds would all be excellent choices.
• Toffee bits or bacon bits: Adds extra flavor to a fantastic recipe.

Want more pudding recipes? Try my Cracker Pudding, White Chocolate Pudding, and Rocky Road Pudding.

Variations and Substitutions

• Add alcohol: Instead of vanilla extract, you can experiment by adding bourbon, spiced rum, brandy, scotch whiskey, or your favorite liqueur.  
• Top it off: Elevate your butterscotch pudding by adding toppings like whipped creme fraiche, crushed cookie crumbs, or fresh fruit. This not only enhances the flavor but also adds texture to your dessert.
• Veganize it: To make a dairy-free and egg-free version of butterscotch pudding, substitute regular milk with plant-based milk, such as almond or coconut milk, and use a vegan butter substitute. You may need to adjust the thickening agent, like using a vegan-friendly cornstarch or arrowroot powder.
• Use heavy cream instead of milk. It will be that much richer and creamier.

Storage Instructions

Always cover your pudding with plastic wrap or an airtight lid to prevent skin from forming on the surface. Press the plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the pudding to minimize air exposure. This step also helps keep your pudding moist and prevents funky odors from lingering in your refrigerator.

Store your butterscotch pudding in the refrigerator. It can typically last 3 to 4 days.

If you need to store the pudding for a longer period, consider freezing it. To do this, transfer the pudding into a freezer-safe container, leaving some room for expansion. Seal it tight and store it in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy it, thaw it in the fridge overnight and give it a gentle stir before serving.

Recipe Tips and Tricks

• Start with high-quality ingredients: Use real butter and fresh brown sugar for that classic rich butterscotch flavor. Opt for whole milk to achieve the creamiest texture in your pudding.
• Cook butter and sugar together: The real magic happens when you cook the butter and brown sugar together until the butter browns and the sugar caramelizes. This is the key to achieving that perfect butterscotch taste.
• Whisk constantly: Continuously whisking the mixture throughout cooking is essential to avoid uneven or lumpy texture in your pudding. 
• Be patient: Remember, patience is key. Give your butterscotch pudding time to cool and set before diving in – the wait will be worth it! 

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Not using real butter: Always use real butter, not margarine or other substitutes, for an authentic butterscotch flavor. Real butter provides the rich and creamy taste that makes butterscotch pudding so delicious.
• Not activating the cornstarch properly: Ensure your cornstarch is fully activated by cooking long enough on medium heat to a full rolling boil. This step is essential for a thick and smooth consistency.
• Stirring the pudding insufficiently: For best results, make sure to stir your pudding mixture frequently, especially as it begins to thicken. This helps prevent it from sticking to the bottom of the pan and burning.
• Rushing the cooling process: After cooking, the pudding needs time to cool and set to achieve the perfect consistency. Allow it to cool for a few minutes on the stovetop before transferring it to individual serving dishes.

What is Butterscotch?

Butterscotch is a sweet treat that brings back memories for many people. Its flavor comes from the simple mix of brown sugar and butter, sometimes with corn syrup, cream, or salt.

The name “butterscotch” probably comes from an old term, “to scotch,” which means to score or cut. Candy makers would score the candy as it cooled so it could break easily into pieces.

Butterscotch’s rich taste comes from caramelizing brown sugar with butter. If a recipe calls for these two ingredients, it’s often called a butterscotch dessert—and that’s where butterscotch pudding gets its creamy, sweet flavor.

FAQ

Butterscotch Recipes

• Apple Cake with Butterscotch Sauce 
• Butterscotch Blondies 
• Butterscotch Cheesecake Bars 
• No-Bake Butterscotch Cookies 
• Butterscotch Bars 
• Butterscotch Lava Cakes
• Butterscotch Steamer
• Butterscotch Pudding Cookies

You’ll also like Orzo Pudding and White Chocolate Pudding.

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