Butterscotch Budino with Salted Caramel Recipe

Try This Silky Butterscotch Budino with Salted Caramel Recipe Today

Butterscotch budino represents a luxurious Italian-inspired dessert that tantalizes taste buds with its silky smooth texture and deep caramel undertones.

Rich custard lovers will immediately appreciate this decadent treat’s complex layers of flavor and elegant presentation.

Sweet enthusiasts often seek desserts that balance sophistication with comforting indulgence, and this recipe delivers perfectly.

Culinary traditions from different regions inspire such remarkable pudding creations that change simple ingredients into extraordinary experiences.

Mediterranean techniques merge seamlessly with classic butterscotch techniques to create something truly memorable.

Each spoonful promises a delightful journey through creamy, buttery sensations that dance across your palate with remarkable intensity.

Professional chefs and home cooks alike appreciate how such seemingly straightforward ingredients can produce such extraordinary results.

Butterscotch Budino With Salted Caramel Explained

  • Craft Velvety Indulgence: This butterscotch budino delivers an incredibly smooth, rich custard that melts luxuriously on your tongue, creating a silky texture that feels like pure comfort.
  • Transform Simple Ingredients: With just a few basic pantry staples like butter, sugar, and cream, you can create a restaurant-quality dessert that looks and tastes incredibly sophisticated.
  • Master Elegant Technique: The recipe teaches professional cooking methods like tempering eggs and creating caramel, allowing home cooks to develop advanced culinary skills while enjoying an impressive dessert that looks like it came from a gourmet restaurant.
  • Balance Sweet and Salty: The combination of butterscotch custard with salted caramel creates a perfect flavor harmony, offering a complex taste experience that dancing between sweet richness and savory undertones.

All the Ingredients You’ll Need for Budino Bliss

Base Ingredients:
  • Salted Butter, Butter: Provides rich, creamy base for both custard and caramel, adding depth of flavor and smooth texture.
  • Brown Sugar: Creates classic butterscotch flavor with deep, molasses-like sweetness.
  • Granulated Sugar: Essential for creating caramel's golden color and sweet profile.
Dairy Ingredients:
  • Heavy Cream, Whole Milk: Contribute luxurious creaminess and help create smooth, silky custard texture.
  • Egg Yolks: Add richness, help thicken custard, and provide velvety mouthfeel.
Flavor Enhancers:
  • Vanilla Extract, Vanilla Bean: Adds warm, complex sweetness and aromatic depth to the dessert.
  • Sea Salt: Balances sweetness, enhances caramel flavor, and provides subtle contrasting taste.
  • Cornstarch: Helps thicken and stabilize the custard, ensuring proper consistency.

The Steps to Creamy Budino With Caramel Swirl

Step 1: Prepare Butterscotch Base

Grab a heavy-bottomed pot and start your flavor adventure. Melt:
  • Salted butter
  • Brown sugar

Stir until the mixture becomes a smooth, golden pool of deliciousness. Watch it transform and bubble with excitement!

Step 2: Create Creamy Mixture

Whisk in:
  • Cornstarch
  • Heavy cream
  • Whole milk

Keep stirring to banish any sneaky lumps. Let the mixture dance and bubble gently, thickening into a luxurious custard.

Step 3: Elevate with Egg Yolks

Crack open egg yolks in a separate bowl. Slowly introduce hot liquid to the yolks, whisking like a culinary artist. This prevents scrambling and creates silky smoothness.

Step 4: Infuse with Vanilla Magic

Pour the tempered yolks back into the pot. Splash in vanilla extract or scrape those fragrant vanilla bean seeds. Let everything mingle and develop deep, rich flavors.

Step 5: Chill and Rest

Transfer the custard to a bowl. Pop it in the refrigerator to cool completely. Pro tip: Create an ice bath to speed up the chilling process.

Step 6: Craft Salted Caramel Sauce

In a saucepan, melt sugar until it turns a mesmerizing amber color. Carefully add:
  • Butter
  • Heavy cream
  • Sea salt

Stir with passion and watch the caramel come to life!

Step 7: Assemble Dreamy Dessert

Layer butterscotch custard in elegant glasses. Drizzle caramel sauce generously on top. Just before serving, sprinkle a tiny pinch of sea salt for that perfect flavor explosion.

Expert Tips for Butterscotch Budino Success

  • Prevent Lumpy Custard: Whisk continuously while adding cornstarch and dairy to ensure a smooth, silky texture without any unwanted clumps.
  • Master Egg Tempering: Add hot liquid to egg yolks slowly and steadily, stirring vigorously to avoid scrambling and create a perfectly integrated custard.
  • Watch Sugar Caramelization: Monitor the sugar closely during melting, as it can quickly go from golden to burnt; remove from heat the moment it reaches a deep amber color.
  • Chill Efficiently: Use an ice bath to rapidly cool the custard, preventing skin formation and speeding up the chilling process.
  • Balance Sweet and Salty: Sprinkle just a pinch of extra sea salt on top to enhance the butterscotch and caramel flavors, creating a sophisticated taste contrast.

Storage Tips for Budino That Doesn’t Lose Texture

  • Refrigeration: Store the budino in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Cover the surface with plastic wrap to prevent a skin from forming and keep the dessert fresh.
  • Freezing: Avoid freezing the budino, as the custard's texture will become grainy and lose its smooth, creamy consistency when thawed.
  • Reheating: Enjoy the budino chilled directly from the refrigerator. If you prefer a slightly softer texture, let it sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving to take the chill off.

What Works Well With Butterscotch Budino

  • Elevate with Wine Pairing: Match the rich butterscotch budino with a sweet Sauternes or late-harvest Riesling, whose honeyed notes and crisp acidity beautifully complement the dessert's creamy texture and caramel undertones.
  • Craft a Coffee Companion: Serve alongside a smooth espresso or cappuccino, whose robust coffee flavors will cut through the sweetness and provide a delightful contrast to the silky butterscotch custard.
  • Enhance with Nutty Crunch: Sprinkle toasted pecans or almonds on top to add a delightful crunch and nutty depth that harmonizes with the caramel's burnt sugar notes and the custard's smooth consistency.
  • Balance with Sparkling Drink: Pair with a chilled moscato d'Asti or prosecco, whose light bubbles and subtle sweetness will refresh the palate between rich bites of the decadent dessert.

Caramel Dessert Ideas to Switch Things Up

  • Chocolate Caramel Budino: Transform the classic butterscotch version by adding 1/4 cup of cocoa powder to the custard base, creating a rich chocolate rendition that maintains the creamy texture and indulgent profile.
  • Espresso Infused Budino: Incorporate 2 tablespoons of strong espresso into the custard mixture, enhancing the butterscotch notes with a subtle coffee undertone that adds depth and complexity to the dessert.
  • Coconut Rum Budino: Replace half the milk with coconut milk and add 2 tablespoons of dark rum to the custard, topping with toasted coconut flakes for a tropical-inspired interpretation of the traditional recipe.
  • Maple Pecan Budino: Substitute brown sugar with maple syrup and fold in chopped toasted pecans, creating a nutty, woodsy version that highlights the sweet, caramel-like qualities of the original dessert.
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Butterscotch Budino with Salted Caramel Recipe

Butterscotch Budino with Salted Caramel Recipe


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4.9 from 24 reviews

  • Total Time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: 6 1x

Description

Butterscotch budino dazzles with Italian-inspired creamy richness and California sophistication. Salted caramel drizzle crowns this luxurious dessert, inviting pure indulgence that whispers elegant complexity with each spoonful.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1 cup granulated sugar

Custard Thickeners and Binding Agents:

  • 3 egg yolks
  • ¼ cup cornstarch

Flavor Enhancers and Finishing Ingredients:

  • 3 tablespoons salted butter
  • ½ cup butter
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract or 1 vanilla bean
  • ¼ teaspoon sea salt (plus more for sprinkling on top)
  • ½ cup heavy cream

Instructions

  1. Prepare a heavy-bottomed pot for melting butter and sugar over medium heat, creating a smooth, golden base for the butterscotch custard.
  2. Incorporate cornstarch into the melted sugar mixture, then gradually pour in heavy cream and whole milk, whisking continuously to prevent any lumpy formations.
  3. Allow the mixture to simmer and thicken, monitoring its consistency until it coats the back of a spoon with a velvety texture.
  4. Create a tempering technique with egg yolks by slowly introducing hot liquid while whisking vigorously to prevent curdling.
  5. Return the tempered egg mixture to the pot, bringing it to a brief boil and cooking for one minute to develop rich, deep flavors.
  6. Enhance the custard with vanilla extract or freshly scraped vanilla bean seeds, stirring to distribute the aromatic essence throughout.
  7. Transfer the custard to a clean bowl and rapid-cool using an ice bath, ensuring a smooth, creamy texture.
  8. For the caramel sauce, melt granulated sugar in a saucepan, gently stirring until it transforms into a golden liquid.
  9. Introduce butter to the molten sugar, creating a bubbling, complex mixture that combines sweet and rich notes.
  10. Stream in heavy cream slowly, allowing the caramel to bubble and meld, creating a luxurious sauce.
  11. Finish the caramel with a sprinkle of sea salt, balancing the sweetness with a subtle mineral undertone.
  12. Artfully layer the chilled butterscotch custard in serving vessels, topping with generous swirls of salted caramel.
  13. Refrigerate the dessert until serving time, then garnish with an additional pinch of sea salt for a final flavor accent.

Notes

  • Plan ahead and give yourself ample time, as this dessert requires multiple cooling stages for perfect texture.
  • Use a heavy-bottomed pot to prevent burning and ensure even heat distribution during caramel and custard preparation.
  • Constant stirring is crucial to prevent lumps in the custard and avoid scorching sugar during caramel making.
  • Tempering egg yolks slowly prevents scrambling, ensuring a smooth, silky custard with rich, creamy consistency.
  • Sea salt transforms this sweet dessert, creating a sophisticated balance between buttery sweetness and subtle saltiness.
  • Refrigerate assembled desserts for at least 2 hours to allow flavors to meld and custard to set completely.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Desserts
  • Method: Simmering
  • Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 6
  • Calories: 470
  • Sugar: 37 g
  • Sodium: 150 mg
  • Fat: 27 g
  • Saturated Fat: 17 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 53 g
  • Fiber: 0 g
  • Protein: 5 g
  • Cholesterol: 130 mg
Liam O'Brien

Liam O’Brien

Founder & Recipe Developer

Expertise

  • Traditional Irish Dishes
  • Farm-to-Table Cooking
  • Recipe Creation
  • Teaching Cooking Skills
  • Sustainable Food Practices

Education

Dublin Institute of Technology (now Technological University Dublin)

  • Program: Bachelor of Arts in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Hands-on training in cooking techniques, kitchen management, and exploring both Irish and international cuisines.

Ballymaloe Cookery School, County Cork, Ireland

  • Program: 12-Week Certificate Course
  • Focus: Farm-to-table cooking, emphasizing the use of fresh, local ingredients and traditional cooking methods.

Liam O’Brien is the co-founder and kitchen soul behind Good Tasting Meals, a chef who believes that cooking shouldn’t feel stressful or complicated.

He earned his culinary stripes at Technological University Dublin and polished his farm-to-table skills at Ballymaloe Cookery School. With over 15 years flipping pans and stirring up stories, Liam has worked in family cafés, bustling bistros, and everything in between.

At Good Tasting Meals, Liam brings you recipes that feel like home: cozy, simple, and full of flavor.

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