Silky Butterscotch Budino with Salted Caramel Recipe

Creamy, dreamy butterscotch budino with salted caramel dances between sophisticated dessert and comfort indulgence.

Rich Italian-style pudding captures the heart of sweet-savory perfection.

Silky smooth textures blend effortlessly with deep caramel notes that whisper luxury.

Each spoonful promises a delicate balance of saltiness and sugary decadence.

The golden-hued dessert emerges from classic culinary traditions with modern elegance.

Delicate layers of flavor promise a dessert experience that lingers long after the last bite.

This remarkable treat will become your new obsession.

Butterscotch Budino with Salted Caramel Ingredients

• Butter: Provides rich, creamy foundation and helps develop deep flavor profiles in both custard and caramel.
• Brown Sugar: Delivers complex caramel notes and enhances overall sweetness with its molasses undertones.
• Granulated Sugar: Creates smooth caramel texture and contributes fundamental sweetening element.

• Heavy Cream: Adds luxurious richness and silky smooth consistency to custard and caramel sauce.
• Whole Milk: Ensures creamy texture and helps stabilize custard's delicate structure.

• Cornstarch: Acts as crucial stabilizer to achieve perfect custard consistency without graininess.
• Egg Yolks: Provide luxurious thickness and contribute to smooth, velvety custard texture.

• Vanilla Extract: Introduces warm, aromatic depth and complements butterscotch's rich character.
• Sea Salt: Balances sweetness, heightens caramel complexity, and creates sophisticated flavor contrast.

Dessert Tools for Budino and Caramel Prep

• Heavy-bottomed pot: Essential for even heat distribution and preventing burning during custard and caramel preparation.
• Whisk: Perfect for smoothly mixing ingredients and tempering egg yolks without lumps.
• Wooden spoon or heat-resistant spatula: Ideal for stirring sugar and caramel without scratching pan surfaces.
• Small bowl: Used for tempering egg yolks and separating ingredients.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient quantities.
• Medium saucepan: Needed for making caramel sauce.
• Serving glasses or bowls: Required for presenting the final dessert.
• Ice bath (optional): Helps cool custard quickly.

How to Make Butterscotch Budino from Scratch

• Butterscotch Base

Create a smooth mixture of butter and brown sugar in a heavy pot, gently melting and stirring until it transforms into a rich, glossy liquid. Watch the colors blend and shimmer as the ingredients dance together.

• Creamy Transformation

Introduce cornstarch and dairy to the butterscotch base, whisking carefully to prevent any lumpy surprises. Let the mixture bubble and thicken, creating a silky foundation for your dessert.

• Egg Magic

Carefully blend egg yolks into the warm mixture, using a gentle tempering technique that ensures a smooth, luxurious texture. The custard will become velvety and decadent.

• Flavor Boost

Infuse the custard with vanilla’s warm essence, stirring until the aroma fills your kitchen with sweet anticipation. Cool the mixture completely, allowing the flavors to develop and deepen.

• Caramel Creation

Craft a golden caramel by melting sugar and butter together, watching it transform into a luscious amber nectar. Splash in cream and a whisper of sea salt, creating a sauce that balances sweet and salty perfectly.

• Dessert Assembly

Layer the butterscotch custard in elegant glasses, crowning each serving with a generous drizzle of salted caramel. Chill until the moment of indulgence arrives, then sprinkle a final touch of sea salt to awaken the senses.

Topping Ideas for Salted Caramel Swirls

• Replace whole milk with coconut milk or almond milk for a unique, lactose-free twist that maintains the creamy texture of the dessert.
• Add a splash of bourbon or dark rum to the custard for deeper, more complex butterscotch notes that elevate the classic recipe's richness.
• Sprinkle crushed toffee bits, toasted pecans, or crispy caramelized sugar shards on top to introduce a delightful crunch against the smooth custard.
• Experiment with different serving vessels like mason jars, chocolate cups, or as a filling for elegant pastry shells to make the dessert more visually appealing and versatile.

Serving Butterscotch Budino in Glass or Jar

• Caramel Cream Cloud: Create a dreamy topping by whipping heavy cream with a touch of powdered sugar, dolloping it gently over the budino for an extra luxurious texture.
• Nutty Crunch Delight: Sprinkle toasted chopped pecans or almonds over the dessert to add a delightful crunch and complementary nutty flavor that balances the smooth custard.
• Chocolate Drizzle Magic: Melt dark chocolate and create delicate swirls across the top of the budino, introducing a rich contrast that elevates the butterscotch's deep caramel notes.
• Seasonal Berry Burst: Garnish with fresh seasonal berries like raspberries or blackberries to introduce a tart, bright element that cuts through the dessert's rich sweetness.

Tips for Refrigerating Butterscotch Budino

• Fridge-Friendly Storage: Keep budino in sealed containers for up to 3 days. Glass jars or tight-lidded containers work best to maintain the creamy texture and prevent flavor absorption from other foods.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare custard and caramel components separately up to 2 days before assembling. Storing ingredients individually helps maintain optimal taste and prevents soggy textures.
• Temperature Tips: Always store butterscotch budino in the coldest part of your refrigerator, typically the back section. Avoid placing near strong-smelling foods to protect the delicate dessert's subtle flavor profile.
• Freezing Finesse: While not ideal, you can freeze the caramel sauce for up to 1 month in a freezer-safe container. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and gently reheat before serving for best results.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Calories: 400 kcal

Servings: 7

Silky Butterscotch Budino with Salted Caramel

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4.8 from 12 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Homemade butterscotch budino with salted caramel offers a luxurious Italian-inspired dessert that balances rich, creamy pudding with deep caramel complexity. Guests will savor each silky spoonful of this sophisticated sweet treat.

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Ingredients

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• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 cups whole milk
• 1 ½ cups heavy cream (½ cup for finishing, 1 cup for base)
• 3 egg yolks
• ½ cup butter
• 3 tbsps salted butter
• ¼ cup cornstarch
• 2 tsps vanilla extract or 1 vanilla bean
• ¼ tsp sea salt (plus more for sprinkling on top)

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Instructions

1. Butterscotch Base: Melt butter and sugar in a heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat, stirring constantly until achieving a golden, smooth consistency.
2. Custard Preparation: Whisk cornstarch into the caramelized sugar, then gradually incorporate heavy cream and whole milk, ensuring a silky, lump-free mixture that simmers and thickens to coat the back of a spoon.
3. Egg Integration: Temper egg yolks by slowly introducing hot liquid while whisking vigorously, then return to the pot and briefly boil for one minute to develop deep, complex flavors and activate the custard’s creamy texture.
4. Flavor Enhancement: Infuse the custard with vanilla extract or scraped vanilla bean seeds, stirring thoroughly to distribute the aromatic essence throughout the mixture.
5. Cooling Process: Rapidly cool the custard using an ice bath, transferring to a clean bowl to maintain its smooth, velvety consistency.
6. Caramel Sauce Creation: Melt granulated sugar in a saucepan, transforming it into a golden liquid, then introduce butter to create a bubbling, rich mixture.
7. Caramel Finishing: Slowly stream heavy cream into the caramel, allowing it to bubble and meld, then sprinkle sea salt to balance the sweetness with a mineral undertone.
8. Plating and Serving: Layer the chilled butterscotch custard in serving vessels, generously top with salted caramel, and refrigerate until serving time, garnishing with an additional pinch of sea salt for a final flavor accent.

Notes

• Control Heat Carefully: Medium heat is crucial for melting sugar and preventing burning, ensuring a smooth butterscotch base without bitter undertones.
• Whisk Like a Pro: Continuous whisking prevents lumps in custard, creating a silky-smooth texture that defines this luxurious dessert.
• Temper Eggs Gently: Slowly introduce hot liquid to egg yolks while whisking rapidly to prevent curdling and maintain a creamy, professional-quality custard.
• Salt Changes Everything: A strategic pinch of sea salt transforms the dessert, balancing sweetness and adding a sophisticated depth to both custard and caramel sauce.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 400
• Sugar: 32 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 28 g
• Saturated Fat: 17 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 42 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 130 mg