Silky Bourbon Butterscotch Pudding Recipe: A Sweet Treat

Sweet, velvety bourbon butterscotch pudding blends rich caramel notes with a smooth whiskey essence that dances across your palate.

Decadent desserts often tell stories of comfort and indulgence.

This classic pudding brings warmth and sophistication to your table with minimal effort.

Creamy textures merge with deep amber tones, creating a dessert that feels both nostalgic and elegant.

Silky butterscotch mingles with robust bourbon, promising a truly memorable treat.

Each spoonful delivers a complex blend of sweet and spirited flavors that will delight even the most discerning dessert lover.

You won’t be able to resist this irresistible pudding that transforms a simple dessert into a gourmet experience.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes (including chilling)

Calories: 290 kcal

Servings: 5

Everything in Bourbon Butterscotch Pudding

• Brown Sugar: Provides deep caramel sweetness and rich color, choose dark brown sugar for more intense flavor.
• Cornstarch: Creates silky smooth texture and helps thicken pudding without lumps, ensure fresh and free from moisture.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor profile and balances sweetness, use fine sea salt for even distribution.

• Milk: Delivers creamy consistency and smooth mouthfeel, whole milk recommended for richer texture.
• Egg Yolks: Adds luxurious richness and helps create velvety pudding structure, select fresh room temperature eggs.

• Butter: Contributes luxurious richness and glossy finish, use high-quality unsalted butter for pure flavor.
• Bourbon: Introduces complex caramel and vanilla undertones, choose smooth drinking bourbon for best results.

Equipment for Bourbon Butterscotch Pudding

• Medium saucepan: Essential for cooking the pudding base and mixing ingredients smoothly.
• Fine mesh strainer: Crucial for removing any lumps and ensuring a silky pudding texture.
• Whisk: Perfect for blending dry and wet ingredients without creating clumps.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Helps stir the pudding consistently while preventing scorching.
• Medium mixing bowl: Provides space for straining and preparing ingredients.
• Large bowl or individual serving containers: Used for chilling and presenting the pudding.
• Plastic wrap: Prevents skin formation and keeps pudding fresh while chilling.

Bourbon Butterscotch Pudding Prep Instructions

• Smooth Setup

Grab a fine mesh strainer and position it over a medium bowl. This sets the stage for silky smooth pudding perfection.

• Sugar Symphony

In a saucepan, blend brown sugar, cornstarch, and salt. Gently pour milk while whisking to create a velvety base that promises deliciousness.

• Egg Enrichment

Introduce egg yolks and remaining milk into the mixture, creating a rich foundation for your decadent dessert.

• Pudding Transformation

Heat the mixture, stirring frequently. Watch as it thickens and bubbles, transforming from liquid to luscious pudding. Keep stirring to prevent burning and ensure a creamy texture.

• Bourbon Butter Bliss

Pull the pan from heat and swirl in butter and bourbon. Let these luxurious ingredients meld together, creating an indulgent flavor profile that’ll make taste buds dance.

• Chilling Finale

Strain the pudding to eliminate any pesky lumps. Transfer to serving dishes, cover with plastic wrap touching the surface, and let it chill in the refrigerator. After a couple of hours, you’ll have a dessert that’s ready to impress.

Tips to Flavor Bourbon Butterscotch Pudding

• Replace bourbon with vanilla extract or apple juice for a kid-friendly version, maintaining the rich flavor profile without alcohol.
• Garnish with crushed pecans, caramel drizzle, or toasted coconut flakes to add delightful texture and complementary flavors to the creamy pudding.
• Reduce brown sugar by 2 tablespoons for a less sweet dessert, or use dark brown sugar for deeper caramel undertones that enhance the butterscotch essence.
• Sprinkle ground nutmeg, cardamom, or ginger into the mixture to introduce unexpected warmth and complexity to the classic pudding recipe.
• Whisk continuously and watch heat closely to prevent lumps, ensuring a silky-smooth pudding that impresses even the most discerning dessert lovers.

Serving Bourbon Butterscotch Pudding Rich & Warm

• Whiskey Lover's Dessert Companion: Pair this rich butterscotch pudding with a small glass of bourbon to enhance the subtle alcohol notes and create a sophisticated dessert experience.
• Texture Contrast Toppings: Sprinkle crunchy caramelized pecans or toasted almond slivers on top to add a delightful textural dimension and complementary nutty flavor to the smooth pudding.
• Elegant Presentation Style: Serve in vintage crystal glasses or clear mason jars to showcase the pudding's beautiful caramel color and create an Instagram-worthy dessert that looks as amazing as it tastes.
• Seasonal Garnish Twist: Decorate with fresh seasonal berries like raspberries or a light dusting of sea salt to balance the sweet butterscotch and provide a sophisticated gourmet touch to the classic pudding.

Store Bourbon Butterscotch Pudding Smartly

• Smart Storage Solutions
• Refrigerator Shield: Keep pudding tightly covered in airtight containers, lasting up to 4 days without losing creamy texture or flavor intensity.
• Portion Control Strategy: Divide pudding into individual serving glasses for easy grab-and-go dessert options during busy weekdays.
• Temperature Management: Always store pudding in the coldest part of refrigerator, away from strong-smelling foods to maintain delicate bourbon butterscotch notes.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare pudding 1-2 days before serving to allow flavors to develop deeper, more complex taste profile, enhancing overall dessert experience.

Velvety Bourbon Butterscotch Pudding Recipe

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4.5 from 30 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes (including chilling)
• Yield: 5 1x

Print Recipe

Description

Southern classic bourbon butterscotch pudding delivers rich, silky comfort in a dessert bowl. Creamy layers of caramel-like sweetness and smooth whiskey notes invite you to savor each indulgent spoonful.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 tbsp (15 mL) bourbon
• 3 egg yolks
• 3 tbsps (42 g) unsalted butter
• ¼ tsp (1 g) salt
• 2 tbsps (16 g) cornstarch
• ⅓ cup (67 g) brown sugar
• 2 ¼ cups (540 mL) whole milk

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Instructions

1. Prep Strainer: Position a fine mesh strainer over a medium mixing bowl for future use.
2. Create Base Mixture: In a saucepan, whisk together brown sugar, cornstarch, and salt. Gradually pour milk, blending thoroughly to eliminate lumps and create a smooth liquid foundation.
3. Incorporate Eggs: Blend egg yolks into the milk mixture, ensuring complete integration of all liquid components.
4. Initial Cooking Phase: Over medium heat, continuously whisk the mixture for 4-5 minutes, observing gradual thickening and transformation.
5. Refine Cooking Process: Reduce heat to medium-low once subtle bubbling emerges. Switch to a wooden spoon, diligently stirring and scraping pan edges to prevent burning.
6. Achieve Perfect Consistency: Cook until the pudding develops a luxurious, ribbon-like flow when drizzled, signaling proper thickening.
7. Flavor Enhancement: Remove from heat, folding in bourbon and butter. Stir until butter melts completely and melds seamlessly with the pudding.
8. Texture Refinement: Strain pudding through the prepared mesh strainer to eliminate any potential imperfections.
9. Cooling and Setting: Pour into serving containers, cover surface directly with plastic wrap to prevent skin formation. Refrigerate for at least two hours to set and develop robust flavor profile.
10. Presentation: Before serving, optionally crown with a delicate whipped cream topping and a light cinnamon dusting for elevated sensory experience.

Notes

• Whisk Wisely: Constant whisking prevents lumps and ensures a smooth, silky pudding texture throughout the cooking process.
• Heat Control Matters: Maintain medium heat initially, then reduce to medium-low to prevent scorching and achieve perfect thickening without burning.
• Strain for Silkiness: Pushing the pudding through a fine mesh strainer removes any potential egg bits or lumps, creating an ultra-smooth final dessert.
• Chill Thoroughly: Allowing a minimum two-hour refrigeration time lets flavors meld and helps the pudding set to the ideal creamy consistency.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 290
• Sugar: 14 g
• Sodium: 90 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 9 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 35 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 130 mg