Homemade Butterscotch Pudding
Make this homemade butterscotch pudding for your family and get rave reviews! You won’t believe how easy it is, and it has the most incredibly nostalgic flavor!
Happy Tuesday morning, everyone! How was your holiday weekend?
We had a good one. It was nice and long. The kids were off school on Friday and Monday, and my husband was also home for a lot of it. I think everyone got really relaxed and now they’re all ready for a new week.
Everyone, with the possible exception of me. Sunday was a lazy day in front of the pool, but other than that I’ve been baking up a storm, getting ready for an upcoming trip. On Wednesday morning I’m hopping on a plane to travel across the country to Washington, to tour the Stemilt orchards and learn all about how they grow their fruit. It should be fun! I’m really looking forward to it, but it’s been a lot of prep to get recipes developed, made, and photographed so that they can keep on coming while I’m away.
It’s times like these when you’re really grateful for a simple, easy, and quick dessert with tons of fabulous flavor! And this homemade butterscotch pudding delivers on all counts.
Butterscotch pudding is such a classic. I love pudding and I think it’s so underrated. It’s cool, comforting, and takes me right back to my childhood. In my family, it’s a huge favorite. And I love it for this time of year because the flavor is so warm and homey.
Lately, the nights have been much cooler, but during the day we’re still seeing temps in the 80’s or 90’s, so it’s nice to have a no-bake treat to serve the family as an after school snack or dessert. And this one comes together in a snap.
Up until a few years ago, I had no idea how easy it was to make homemade pudding. I had only ever made the kind from a box, but one day the kids had a craving and I didn’t have any on hand. So I just started throwing stuff in a pot, stirring and cooking, and before I knew it we had pudding. It was so simple and SO much more delicious than anything store-bought or pre-packaged. Plus it’s all stuff you probably already have in your pantry and fridge. Seriously, who needs that box?
If you’ve ever wondered “what exactly is butterscotch,” it’s pretty simple: brown sugar and butter. There’s no actual “Scotch.” No alcohol of any kind. All of the warm, nostalgic flavor just comes from those two ingredients, plus a little salt for balance. We add cornstarch to thicken it and milk and cream to make it creamy, a little vanilla for flavor, and that’s about all there is to it.
It cooks right on the stove and thickens up right before your very eyes. You can eat it warm if you’d like, but I prefer to pour it into little jars and chill it in the fridge. Then, just before serving, top it with a little whipped cream and some toffee bits or toasted pecans.
It’s a nostalgic dessert with tons of rich flavor! I hope you’ll give it a try sometime soon, and let me know how you like it in the comments section below.
If your family loves pudding as much as mine, be sure to check out my Easy Chocolate Pudding Pie Jars!
Make this homemade butterscotch pudding for your family and get rave reviews! You won't believe how easy it is, and it has the most incredibly nostalgic flavor!
- 3/4 cup dark brown sugar
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1/2 to 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt (to taste)
- 2 cups milk
- 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
- 5 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3/4 cups heavy cream, whipped to soft peaks with 1 tablespoon granulated sugar.
- 2 tablespoons toffee bits or chopped toasted pecans (approx.)
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Place the brown sugar, cornstarch, and salt in a medium pot and whisk together to combine.
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Pour in the milk in a slow, steady stream, while continuing to whisk.
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Stir in the cream and place over medium-low heat.
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Cook, stirring, for about 5 minutes or until the pudding has come to a simmer and thickened.
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Remove from the heat and whisk in the butter and vanilla.
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When the butter has completely melted and is fully incorporated, transfer the mixture to small jars and chill.
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Serve cold, with whipped cream and toffee bits or toasted pecans.
Hi, my pudding isn’t thickening… am I doing something wrong?
Hey Shelly! I’m sorry you’re having trouble- has it come up to a simmer yet? Cornstarch is a magical ingredient; it starts to thicken the minute you hit that temperature. Crank up the heat a bit and keep whisking, it’ll get there! Good luck and let me know how you make out, ok?
Thank you so much, you helped me so much. I added a tiny bit more cornstarch and it thickened very quickly after. I love this recipe!!!
I’m so glad! Thanks Shelly!
This looks wonderful – and as it so happens, I’ve been craving butterscotch pudding lately! I’ve never made pudding from scratch, though, so this should be fun!
You are going to be hooked! It’s so simple and the flavor doesn’t even compare to the boxed stuff. Something about this time of year makes me crave butterscotch too! Thanks so much dear 🙂
Can this recipe be used for a butterscotch pie?
I think it would be fabulous as a pie! I was actually thinking about posting something like that at some point down the road. I think it would be delicious with a graham cracker, chocolate cookie, vanilla wafer, or gingersnap cookie crust! Thanks for bringing that up Sharon!
Sorry for a dim question, but would this work with almond milk?
Nothing dim about it, Natalie! Although I haven’t tested it myself, I’m certain it would work. And that’s a great option to make it dairy-free as well as gluten-free. Thanks for mentioning it!
Beautiful looking dessert. Funny, I thought there was actually some alcohol behind this flavour! 🙂
There’s no need for it Julia, although it would probably be delicious with a little bourbon, rum, or scotch added!
I can’t wait to make this for Tom Allie! He is a huge pudding fan and I know he’s going to love the butterscotch flavor! Perfect for fall.
My husband is a huge pudding lover too MaryAnn! I hope Tom loves this as much as he did!
I loooove butterscotch pudding!! It’s the only kind I ever make. I make it with roasted bananas and whipped cream….mmm now I am craving this so bad. You are right, pudding is NOT hard, why don’t we make it more??
Oh my goodness! I was actually thinking about using this as a base for banana pudding but it sounds like you’ve already got that covered! Everybody head over to Food Charlatan for that one, lol! I don’t know how we all got so brainwashed to think we need a box mix for pudding, it’s so unnecessary. Thanks so much Karen!
I always wondered how to make butterscotch. I can find boxes for vanilla and chocolate puddings here, but not butterscotch, so this is exciting. Look forward to trying it soon.
Oh that’s great! I hope you and your kiddos enjoy this one Julie!
I LOVE butterscotch and the warm flavors it brings. This looks amazing!! Have a great trip in Washington and can’t wait to hear all about it.
Thank you so much sweetie! I’m back home now and just getting caught up. I’m so glad you like this recipe! Thanks for the great feedback!
this was amazing,thanks for the recipe. I love your website so much 🙂
My pleasure! I’m so happy you liked the pudding. Thanks so much for the awesome feedback! 🙂
i made this pudding from your recipe
and tastes like heaven
but i have one question my pudding tastes very sweet how can i reduce the sweetness?
I’m so happy you liked it Azinro! If you’d like to reduce the sweetness you can try using less sugar. Good luck!
I don’t have unsalted butter. Can I use salted butter and just reduce the amount of salt in the recipe? Thank you!
I’m sure you probably can but I have not tested it that way so I can’t say for sure exactly how much salt you should cut back. Good luck!
I made your pudding it was wonderful
So happy you liked it Michelle! Thanks for the positive feedback!
hi, can i add caramelized almond. do you think that will go with it. as i am preparing for one pudding competition. please help.
That sounds fantastic Manisha! I say go for it!
I was thrilled to find this recipe because I don’t eat eggs and so many pudding recipes use egg. It turned out great! I also try to avoid cane sugar and corn, so I used coconut sugar and replaced the corn starch with twice as much tapioca flour. I was a little concerned as it heated that it was going to be gobby because of the tapioca flour, but it cooled beautifully. The coconut sugar tasted great. Thanks for the recipe to work from!
My pleasure Noreen! I’m so glad it worked well for you with the substitutions!
I used regular brown sugar. And salted butter. And whole lactose free milk. And half and half.
Not so strong butterscotch flavor, but its light tasting which is a plus for hubs and me. Came together for me, whisking constantly on medium high on a gas stove top. Not my first pudding made this way. Got 6 cute little pudding servings exactly. Great recipe. It’s chilling in the fridge now.
So glad you were happy with the recipe Emmi! Thanks so much for the good feedback!
I’m totally hooked at butterscotch, but never found an easy recipe for pudding…till now! Thank you so very much for your recipe, i’ll be making this one often! For pies, as dessert or as an afternoon snack but it will be often in my fridge. It’s not predicatiën but that’s a fact! I know for sure. Thanks a lot!
Have a fantastic sunny day,
Marja
I ment a prediction. Sorry. My tablet changed it and i didn’t see it. Excuses for that.
So happy you like it Marja! Thanks so much for the positive feedback!
Thank you, this is amazing. So thick and creamy. I tried 2 other recipes and they were complicated and grainy. Your awesome?
Yay! So happy it worked out well for you Karen! Thanks so much for the positive feedback!
Homemade pudding is totally the way to go if you’re looking to impress. And butterscotch is such a perfect flavor!
Love how easy it is to make this butterscotch pudding! Looks so creamy and delicious!
Turned out perfect! Smooth as silk and totally delicious. So easy and fast to make too. The only adjustment I made was to substitute a splash of scotch for some of the vanilla. It added a nice depth of flavor.
Sounds delicious! I’m so happy you enjoyed!
A real hit! Already making it again
That’s awesome! Thanks for the great feedback Missy!
So delicious! I used Silk almond and coconut milk instead of milk and cream, which needed an extra tablespoon of cornstarch to thicken up. It tastes incredible. And it’s so simple! Thank you so much!
You’re so welcome! Thanks for sharing your modifications, I’m sure this will be helpful to other readers!
I love butterscotch pudding, but have never attempted to make it myself…Recipes always sounded too complicated. I had some 1/2 & 1/2 which needed to be used, saw your recipe and made it just now. I am so excited! The consistency is perfect, I took a taste before my husband licked the spatula and pan. We both agree that it is delicious! Thank you so much for putting the recipe on Pinterest!
You’re so welcome Phyllis! I’m so happy you and your husband like it. Enjoy!
Make this for my husband, who loves butterscotch ! Since he’s diabetic, I cut back on the sugar and it is delicious. I get to lick the spatula ! There is nothing like home made and the flavor is heavenly. Thank you so much. Nancy 🙂
You’re so welcome!
I know the brown sugar is the basis of the flavour but everyone found this over poweringly sweet. Cutting the sugar in half might help.
OMG! I never thought I’d be raving over plain ol’ Butterscotch Pudding!!!
I wanted to eat dessert before eating supper! Only things I did differently were that I had light brown sugar, not dark, and I reduced the vanilla to 1 teaspoon and added two teaspoons of whiskey ☺️.
Don’t be dismayed if it doesn’t thicken in five minutes…mine took well over 10 minutes.
SO WORTH IT!
Thank you for the fantastic recipe❣️