This rich, silky Homemade Butterscotch Pudding is a classic dessert that always satisfies. Serve it warm or cold and be swept away to your happy place with every spoonful.

Best Butterscotch Pudding Recipe

When it comes to dessert, I am a complete sucker for anything creamy. You can have your cake and cupcakes, but I’ll fight you for a slice of cheesecake, some Creme Brûlée, and any type of pudding. Especially tapioca pudding, chocolate pudding, or butterscotch pudding.

This homemade butterscotch pudding recipe is pure bliss – creamy, rich, and Heaven in every wonderful spoonful.

What is Butterscotch?

Butterscotch is really just a combination of brown sugar and butter cooked together. Of course, there are more ingredients added depending on what you’re making, but that’s the gist of it. It can be in the form of hard candies, a drizzling sauce, or a fantastic flavoring in desserts like this pudding recipe. The taste of butterscotch can be lighter or stronger depending on whether you use light brown or dark brown sugar.

What is the difference between butterscotch and caramel?

They’re really similar, the biggest difference being that caramel is made with white granulated sugar, while butterscotch uses brown sugar. Butterscotch candies are usually hard, whereas caramel candies are soft and chewy. Butterscotch, in my humble opinion, has a richer, more complex flavor profile.

Ingredients Needed

Here’s what you’ll need to make this pudding recipe.
(Scroll below to the printable recipe card for details and measurements.)

• whole milk, room temperature
• heavy cream, room temperature
• large egg yolks
• cornstarch
• dark brown sugar
• salt
• water
• unsalted butter, room temperature
• vanilla extract

Is Butterscotch Pudding Gluten Free? Yes! Butterscotch pudding is naturally gluten free, since cornstarch (made entirely from corn) is used to thicken it instead of flour. (However, be aware that many cornstarch manufacturers process the product on equipment that’s also shared with wheat products.)

How to Make Butterscotch Pudding

Ditch the instant box pudding powder and discover what real pudding tastes like – it’s amazing. And still super easy to make!
(Don’t miss the detailed printable recipe card and video below.)

1. Combine whole milk and heavy cream. These two together are the best combination for really wonderful pudding. You want them both room temperature, which will help prevent a ton of seizing when you add the liquid to the hot caramel.
2. Whisk together egg yolks, cornstarch, and a splash of milk. This acts as your thickening agent.
3. Cook brown sugar, salt, and water. The water helps the sugar dissolve and cook down more evenly. It will bubble for a while until the mixture turns a thick, dark amber color. This step is critical with creating the butterscotch flavor, so don’t rush it or you’ll basically just be eating brown sugar pudding.
4. Add the milk and cream mixture to bubbly caramel. Do this slowly and carefully, then bring to a boil.
5. Temper the egg mixture. Transfer about 1 cup of the hot liquid to the egg mixture and then back into the pot. This helps prevent the eggs from scrambling.
6. Remove from the heat and pour through a fine mesh strainer. You can skip this step, but putting it through a sieve will get you the creamiest results.
7. Stir in the butter and vanilla. Add in the butter, followed by the vanilla, stirring until completely melted and smooth. You can also add in a splash of bourbon or rum!
8. Pour into custard cups. Divide the mixture to custard cups (but not before sampling the warm pudding, because YUM!) and then chill for at least a few hours, where it will thicken up.

At this point, you’re set and can serve and enjoy, but I like to add a thin layer of my homemade caramel sauce and homemade whipped cream, which takes it to level 11.

Video: Homemade Butterscotch Pudding

Serving Suggestions

• What goes with Butterscotch Pudding? Butterscotch is a warm, homey flavor that pairs so well with fall flavors like apple pie spice, cinnamon, vanilla, maple, and apples.
• Is Butterscotch Pudding Eaten Warm or Cold? This pudding can be enjoyed either way! I love it right out of the pot, but chilling it will give you a thicker consistency.

How to Store Butterscotch Pudding

This pudding will keep in the refrigerator, covered tightly, for up to 4 days. (To avoid a skin developing on the surface of the pudding, press plastic wrap directly onto the surface before chilling.)

More Pudding Recipes:

• Tapioca Pudding
• Rice Pudding
• Chocolate Pudding
• Banana Pudding

I hope you love this delicious and easy recipe – be sure to give it a review below! Also don’t forget to follow Belly Full on TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube!