Description
Indulge in pure luxury with this absolutely divine Butterscotch Budino that brings the elegance of Italian dessert tradition to your table! This silky, sophisticated pudding features a rich dark caramel base with deep butterscotch flavors that melt on your tongue like velvet. The secret is in the slow caramelization of brown sugar and the careful tempering technique that creates that perfect, lump-free custard texture. With just a hint of rum for complexity, this restaurant-quality dessert is surprisingly achievable at home. Perfect for dinner parties, romantic evenings, or anytime you want to treat yourself to something truly special!
Ingredients
- ½ cup packed dark brown sugar
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ cup water
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1½ cups heavy cream
- ¾ cup whole milk
- 1 large egg
- 2 large egg yolks
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon white rum
For Serving (Optional):
- Whipped cream
- Caramel sauce drizzle
- Toasted nuts or sea salt flakes
Instructions
- Create the Caramel Magic: In a deep, heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine brown sugar, salt, and water over medium-high heat. Bring to a rolling boil and cook 7-10 minutes until the caramel turns very dark and bubbles vigorously—this deep caramelization creates that incredible butterscotch depth!
- Build the Luxurious Base: Immediately turn off heat and carefully whisk in butter (it will bubble dramatically!). Slowly pour in heavy cream while whisking continuously—be cautious as the mixture will bubble up. Return to medium-low heat and stir until all sugar dissolves, then whisk in milk.
- Master the Tempering Technique: In a separate bowl, whisk together the whole egg, egg yolks, and both measurements of cornstarch until smooth. Slowly drizzle 1 cup of the hot cream mixture into the eggs while whisking constantly—this prevents scrambling and creates silky perfection!
- Cook to Custard Perfection: Pour the tempered egg mixture back into the saucepan and increase heat to medium-high. Bring to a gentle simmer, whisking constantly, and cook about 2 minutes until beautifully thickened and coating the back of a spoon.
- Strain for Silky Smoothness: Remove from heat and immediately pour through a fine-mesh strainer into a clean bowl, pressing any lumps through with a spoon. Whisk in the rum for that sophisticated flavor complexity.
- Chill to Perfection: Divide among 4 serving glasses and let cool to room temperature (about 20 minutes). Cover with plastic wrap, pressing directly onto the surface to prevent a skin from forming, then refrigerate 3-4 hours until thoroughly chilled and set.
- Serve with Style: Present your elegant budino chilled, optionally topped with a dollop of whipped cream, caramel drizzle, or a sprinkle of toasted nuts or sea salt flakes for that restaurant-quality finish!
Notes
The secret to perfect budino is patience during the caramelization—let that brown sugar get really dark for maximum butterscotch flavor! The tempering step is crucial for achieving that silky, lump-free texture, so add the hot cream slowly to the eggs. A fine-mesh strainer ensures perfect smoothness. The rum adds sophistication but can be omitted if preferred. This dessert actually improves with time, so it’s perfect for making ahead. Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Serve in beautiful glasses to showcase that gorgeous golden color!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Custard Making
- Cuisine: Italian
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
Keywords: butterscotch budino, italian pudding, caramel custard, elegant dessert, make-ahead dessert