Butterscotch Budino Recipe with Salted Caramel

Name: Butterscotch Bourbon Budino with Salted Caramel
Prep time: 240 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 255 min
Ingredients: 3 cups heavy cream; 1 1/2 cups whole milk; 1 large egg; 3 large egg yolks; 1/4 cup cornstarch; 1 cup packed dark brown sugar (plus 2 Tablespoons ); 1/2 cup water; 1 1/2 teaspoons coarse kosher salt; 5 Tablespoons unsalted butter; 1 1/2 Tablespoons bourbon; Chopped pistachios (for topping); 15-Minute Salted Caramel Sauce (for topping)

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This Butterscotch Bourbon Budino recipe topped with salted caramel is like a pudding cup for grown ups. It’s a rich and creamy indulgent treat that’s not overly sweet.

I’m going to come right out and say it – I’m not a chocolate fan. On any given day I’ll surely take a scoop of vanilla ice cream over some chocolately chunk creation. I’d say that at least 10% of the population agrees with me on this one, but we’re definitely in the minority.

But today, I’m sharing with you a recipe that is guaranteed to knock the socks off even die hard chocolate lovers:

Butterscotch Budino with Salted Caramel

This luscious pudding has an amazing velvety texture and the most insanely delicious flavor!

What is budino?

Budino is basically a fancy word for pudding. It’s an Italian custard with a thick and creamy texture.

I first learned about budino in a cooking class that I took at Dobbes Estate Winery. We made a chocolate hazelnut budino with fresh whipped cream. And, while it was amazing, this non-chocolate fan was dying to try it in a different way.

Enter butterscotch and bourbon… and just because we can, some salted caramel for good measure.

I’ve talked about my salted caramel sauce before, and my husband’s obsession with it. It’s easy and quick to make (just 15 minutes) and it’s the most buttery, yummy caramel sauce that you’ve ever tasted.

And, just like the salted caramel sauce, the custard for these butterscotch budinos is simple to make.

The most time consuming part is waiting for it to chill after the cooking process. The chill time will take at least 4 hours.

What is budino made of?

Heavy cream
Milk
Egg
Cornstarch
Brown sugar
Butter
Bourbon
Kosher salt
Chopped pistachios (for topping)
15-Minute Salted Caramel Sauce (for topping)

Side view of three jars of butterscotch budino topped with pistachios and salted caramel.

Can you make budino ahead of time?

Yes! You can make the budino up to three days ahead of time. I like to divide the custard among some small serving jars, and place them in the fridge. They’re almost like a fancy pudding cup.

The salted caramel sauce can be made ahead of time as well, even up to a week beforehand. When you’re ready to serve, simply heat up the caramel, drizzle a bit over each budino and top them with a dollop of whipped cream and a sprinkling of pistachios.

If you sample the custard on its own, you may be surprised when you’re cooking up the custard that it really doesn’t seem too sweet. It’s got a mild flavor, with just a hint of sweetness, that makes it easy to eat spoonful after spoonful.

It’s that salted caramel sauce on the top gives it an extra oomph and makes it just so yummy without being a major sugar bomb. It’s just the right balance of sweet, creamy and salty that makes it overly simple to say “yes” to seconds.

One jar of butterscotch budino topped with salted caramel.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where did budino originate?

Budino originated in Italy.

What’s the difference between budino and pudding?

While both are custard like desserts, pudding is typically thickened with cornstarch or gelatin. Budino is thickened primarily with eggs.

What’s the difference between butterscotch and salted caramel?

Butterscotch is made using brown sugar and butter. Salted caramel is made using white sugar, butter, heavy cream, salt and vanilla.

How do you pronounce budino?

It is pronounced boo/DEE/noh.

If you loved this Butterscotch Budino recipe I would appreciate it so much if you would give this recipe a star review! Also, be sure to snap a picture of your finished dish and share it with me on Instagram using the hashtag #platingsandpairings and tagging me @platingsandpairings.

Wine pairings for Butterscotch Budino:

Tawny Port is one of my favorite wine pairings for creamy, custard dishes – It’s hints of caramel and slight nuttiness pair nicely with the flavors in this butterscotch budino.

More salted caramel recipes: