Butterscotch Pudding: A Delight for Dessert Lovers
Rich and creamy with deep caramel notes, homemade butterscotch pudding is a little spoonful of comfort. This recipe is easy to make and tastes so much better than the store-bought stuff!

During my college days, my fridge was often stocked with pudding cups and a can of whipped cream. A little pudding topped with whipped cream made for an easy, dorm-friendly dessert. As an adult, I still occasionally grab a snack pack to share with Elle, but I found that the vanilla and chocolate flavors were merely acceptable. The butterscotch flavor, however, never quite satisfied my palate.
It wasn’t until I decided to make homemade butterscotch pudding that I truly understood its allure. Real butterscotch pudding is decadently rich, reminiscent of caramel, and incredibly easy to prepare. I encourage you to try making it yourself!
What is Butterscotch Pudding?
The term “butterscotch” may conjure up memories of crinkly candy wrappers from your grandma’s house. Butterscotch is primarily a type of candy made from brown sugar and butter. However, you need not create the candy itself to enjoy butterscotch dessert!
Butterscotch also refers to recipes where the main flavors are inspired by brown sugar and butter, like in butterscotch pudding.
Does Butterscotch Pudding Have Whisky in It?
Despite the “scotch” in the name, rest assured that butterscotch pudding contains no scotch whisky. The origin of the term “butterscotch” remains a mystery, but this recipe is entirely alcohol-free! If you wish to add a splash of bourbon, much like I did with my homemade chocolate pudding, feel free!
How to Make Butterscotch Pudding
This pudding recipe is remarkably straightforward. I modified my favorite vanilla pudding recipe to create this delightful dish!
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Whole milk and heavy cream: This mixture forms the base of the pudding. You can use only whole milk if desired, but doing so will yield a less rich and creamy pudding. Avoid reduced-fat or fat-free milk.
- Cornstarch: This thickens the pudding.
- Egg yolks: They also assist in thickening and provide a silky texture.
- Dark brown sugar: The source of deep caramel flavors. If you lack dark brown sugar, consider making a substitute to use instead.
- Unsalted butter: Another key player in achieving that unmistakable butterscotch flavor.
- Vanilla: This rounds out the flavors beautifully.
- Salt: A pinch helps balance the sweetness.

Tools You’ll Need
- Small bowls
- Whisk
- Medium saucepan
- Measuring cups and spoons
Once cooked, you can pour the pudding into individual serving bowls or a larger container for serving. I prefer using small bowls for a more appealing presentation.
Making This Recipe
If you can whisk, you can make this pudding!
Start by whisking together ¼ cup of milk with the cornstarch to create a slurry and set aside.
In a saucepan, combine the remaining milk, cream, salt, and brown sugar. Heat this mixture over medium heat until steaming, without letting it boil.

While that heats, whisk the egg yolks in a separate bowl. Once the milk is steaming, temper the yolks by slowly pouring in ½ cup of the hot milk while whisking continuously. This prevents the yolks from scrambling when added to the pudding mixture.
Next, add the yolk mixture to the hot milk, along with your cornstarch slurry. Keep stirring gently over medium heat until the pudding starts to simmer and thickens.
Remove the pudding from the heat and whisk in the butter and vanilla. Now, pour the pudding into bowls to serve warm, or let it chill before serving.

Serving Suggestions
A bit of homemade whipped cream on top enhances the flavor, and a drizzle of salted caramel sauce adds a delicious twist. You can also use mini graham cracker crusts filled with butterscotch pudding, topped with whipped cream for a simpler dessert.
Another delightful approach is layering graham cracker or gingersnap crumbs with the pudding and whipped cream to create pudding parfaits. No matter how you serve it, this butterscotch pudding will bring a nostalgic comfort of childhood memories.
