Description
Get ready to fall head over heels for this absolutely stunning Butterscotch Budino that’s about to become your new signature dessert! This creamy, dreamy Italian pudding is pure comfort in a glass—rich, buttery, and impossibly smooth with deep caramel flavors that develop into something magical. The best part? This elegant dessert actually gets better as it chills, making it perfect for stress-free entertaining. With its sophisticated appearance and melt-in-your-mouth texture, guests will think you spent hours in the kitchen when it actually comes together in just 35 minutes of active time. Prepare for serious dessert envy!
Ingredients
- ½ cup packed dark brown sugar
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ cup water
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1½ cups heavy cream
- ¾ cup milk
- 1 large egg
- 2 large egg yolks
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon white rum
Topping Ideas:
- Lightly sweetened whipped cream
- Salted caramel drizzle
- Crushed amaretti cookies
- Fresh berries for color contrast
Instructions
- Start the Caramel Symphony: Combine brown sugar, salt, and water in a deep, heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to a vigorous boil and cook 7-10 minutes until the mixture turns gorgeously dark and bubbles dramatically—this is where the magic happens!
- Add Richness and Depth: Turn off heat immediately and carefully whisk in butter (expect some serious bubbling!). Slowly stream in heavy cream while whisking—the mixture will bubble up, so stay calm and keep stirring. Return to medium-low heat, stir until completely smooth, then whisk in milk.
- Perfect the Custard Base: In a separate bowl, whisk egg, egg yolks, and all cornstarch until completely smooth. Here’s the key: slowly pour 1 cup of the hot cream mixture into the eggs while whisking constantly—this gentle tempering prevents any scrambling disasters!
- Bring It All Together: Pour the tempered egg mixture back into the saucepan and crank the heat to medium-high. Bring to a gentle simmer, whisking constantly, and cook about 2 minutes until it coats your whisk beautifully and has that perfect pudding consistency.
- Strain for Perfection: Remove from heat and pour immediately through a fine-mesh strainer into a clean bowl—this removes any potential lumps for that silky-smooth finish. Whisk in rum for that sophisticated adult flavor.
- Chill and Set: Divide among 4 beautiful serving glasses. Cool to room temperature (about 20 minutes), then cover with plastic wrap pressed directly onto the surface. Refrigerate 3-4 hours until perfectly set and chilled.
- Serve with Flair: Present your masterpiece chilled with your choice of elegant toppings. Watch as everyone takes that first spoon and their eyes light up with pure dessert joy!
Notes
Pro tip: Don’t rush the caramelization—that deep, dark color is what gives you incredible butterscotch flavor! The rum adds sophistication but can be swapped for vanilla extract if preferred. This dessert is a total make-ahead champion and actually tastes better after chilling overnight. Perfect for dinner parties since you can make it completely ahead of time. Store covered in the fridge for up to 4 days, though it probably won’t last that long! For extra indulgence, serve with a small spoon of salted caramel on the side.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Stovetop Custard
- Cuisine: Italian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 385
- Sugar: 32g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 16g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 185mg