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.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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)
Instructions
- Butterscotch Base: Melt butter and sugar in a heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat, stirring constantly until achieving a golden, smooth consistency.
- 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.
- 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.
- Flavor Enhancement: Infuse the custard with vanilla extract or scraped vanilla bean seeds, stirring thoroughly to distribute the aromatic essence throughout the mixture.
- Cooling Process: Rapidly cool the custard using an ice bath, transferring to a clean bowl to maintain its smooth, velvety consistency.
- Caramel Sauce Creation: Melt granulated sugar in a saucepan, transforming it into a golden liquid, then introduce butter to create a bubbling, rich mixture.
- 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.
- 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