Best 6 Ultimate Butterscotch Pudding Cooks Illustrated Recipes

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Indulge your sweet cravings with the delectable Ultimate Butterscotch Pudding, a classic dessert elevated to new heights by Cooks Illustrated. This velvety smooth and luscious pudding boasts a rich, caramelized flavor that dances on your palate. Prepared using a combination of cornstarch and egg yolks, it achieves a perfect balance of creaminess and texture. The inclusion of brown sugar adds an extra layer of depth and complexity, while vanilla extract and salt bring harmony to the symphony of flavors. This recipe is accompanied by three variations that cater to diverse preferences: a luscious Chocolate Butterscotch Pudding, a refreshing Butterscotch Panna Cotta, and a delightful Butterscotch Sauce that elevates ice cream, pancakes, and other desserts to new heights. Embark on a culinary journey with these recipes and experience the magic of butterscotch in its most glorious forms.

Let's cook with our recipes!

OLD-FASHIONED BUTTERSCOTCH PUDDING



Old-Fashioned Butterscotch Pudding image

This creamy pudding, thickened with cornstarch and egg yolks and stirred together on the stove, is as homey as it gets. Spiking the mixture with a little bourbon or Scotch isn't strictly traditional, but it does add a pop of flavor. Choose bourbon to underscore the caramelized notes of the brown sugar, or Scotch for a savory smokiness and a nod to the name. Here's a tip: Make sure to bring the pudding to a full, vigorous boil to activate the cornstarch. Otherwise, it may not set. If you've ever ended up with thin, runny pudding, undercooking may have been the issue.

Provided by Melissa Clark

Categories     custards and puddings, dessert

Time 2h30m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 11

4 large egg yolks
3 tablespoons cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
3/4 packed cup/165 grams dark brown sugar
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
2 cups/480 milliliters whole milk
1 cup/240 milliliters heavy cream
1 tablespoon bourbon or Scotch whisky (optional)
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Whipped cream, sour cream or crème fraîche, for serving
Chopped candied ginger, sliced almonds, Demerara sugar, shaved chocolate, cocoa nibs or flaky sea salt (or a combination), for garnish (optional)

Steps:

  • Put egg yolks, cornstarch and salt into a large heatproof bowl, and whisk until the mixture is smooth and there are no lumps.
  • In a medium pot over medium heat, combine brown sugar and butter, whisking, until the brown sugar melts, 1 to 2 minutes. Let cook, whisking constantly, until the mixture starts to smell like hot caramel and darkens slightly, about 1 minute longer. (Don't walk away, or the mixture may burn.)
  • Immediately pour the milk and cream into the pot. (It will bubble fiercely and seize up.) Continue to cook, whisking constantly, until the clumps melt, 2 to 4 minutes.
  • Slowly whisk about 1/2 cup of the hot cream mixture into the bowl with the egg yolks, whisking yolks until smooth, then whisk in the remaining hot cream mixture. Pour the egg-cream mixture back into the saucepan and place it over medium heat.
  • Cook pudding, whisking constantly especially around the bottom and edges of the pot, until it comes to a full boil. (Don't worry about the eggs curdling. You're going to strain the mixture later.) Reduce heat to medium-low and cook, stirring the mixture constantly, until it thickens enough to mound thickly on the spoon, 4 to 7 minutes. If at any point the pudding looks curdled, whisk to help smooth it out.
  • Strain mixture through a fine sieve into a heatproof container or bowl, then stir in the Scotch or bourbon, if using, and vanilla. To prevent a skin from forming, press plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the pudding. (If you like the skin, don't cover pudding until it cools.) Chill for at least 2 hours and up to 2 days.
  • When serving, spoon pudding into dishes. Top with dollops of whipped cream, sour cream or crème fraîche, and any of the optional garnishes.

ULTIMATE BUTTERSCOTCH PUDDING - COOK'S ILLUSTRATED



Ultimate Butterscotch Pudding - Cook's Illustrated image

This unconventional recipe uses the heat of the caramel to thicken the cornstarch and egg yolk; it is not heated once the eggs are added, so they have no chance to scramble. Adapted from Cook's Illustrated Jan/Feb 2013.

Provided by DrGaellon

Categories     Dessert

Time 55m

Yield 8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 13

12 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1/2 cup granulated sugar (3 1/2 oz by weight)
1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar (3 1/2 oz by weight)
1/4 cup water
2 tablespoons light corn syrup
1 teaspoon lemon juice
3/4 teaspoon table salt
1 cup heavy cream
2 1/4 cups whole milk
4 egg yolks (from size large eggs)
1/4 cup cornstarch
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 teaspoon dark rum

Steps:

  • In a large saucepan, combine butter, both sugars, water, corn syrup, lemon juice and salt. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally until sugar is dissolved and butter is melted. Bring to a full rolling boil and cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes (caramel will be about 240F). Immediately reduce to medium-low, until caramel develops a steady stream of lazy bubbles. Cook, stirring frequently, until mixture is color of dark peanut butter, smells ever-so-slightly burnt and registers 300F, 12-16 minutes more.
  • Remove from heat and carefully add 1/4 c cream (it will bubble and steam), swirling to incorporate. When bubbles subside, whisk vigorously, scraping into corners, until completely smooth, at least 30 seconds. Over medium heat, whisk in remaining cream until smooth. Whisk in 2 c milk until smooth, remembering to scrape into the corners of the pan to collect any remaining caramel.
  • In microwave, bring remaining 1/4 c milk to a simmer, 30-45 seconds. Whisk egg yolks and cornstarch together in a large heat-safe bowl until smooth. Gradually whisk in hot milk until smooth; set aside at room temperature.
  • Return saucepan to medium-high heat and bring back to a full rolling boil, whisking frequently. When bubbles begin to climb sides of pan, immediately dump entire pan into bowl with yolk mixture (do not add slowly). Whisk vigorously and thoroughly for 10-15 seconds. Add vanilla and rum and whisk to combine. Spray a disc of parchment paper cut to fit the bowl with non-stick spray and press onto surface of pudding. Refrigerate until cold and set, 3 hours or more. Whisk until smooth before serving.

BUTTERSCOTCH PUDDING



Butterscotch Pudding image

Provided by Ree Drummond : Food Network

Categories     dessert

Time 1h20m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar, light or dark
1/4 cup cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
3 cups whole milk
4 large egg yolks
2 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup salted caramel sauce, for serving
Sea salt flakes, for serving
Unsweetened whipped cream, for serving

Steps:

  • Put the sugar, cornstarch and kosher salt in a medium, nonstick saucepan, then gently whisk together. Put the milk and egg yolks in a separate pitcher or bowl, then whisk together until combined. Pour the wet mixture into the saucepan with the dry ingredients and stir to combine.
  • Turn on the heat to medium and cook, stirring gently, until the mixture starts to bubble and thicken, about 10 minutes. When it reaches a pudding consistency, add the butter and stir until melted. Remove from the heat and spoon into bowls. Chill for about 1 hour, until very cold.
  • Top each bowl with about a tablespoon of salted caramel sauce, some sea salt flakes and unsweetened whipped cream.

KELLY'S BUTTERSCOTCH PUDDING



Kelly's Butterscotch Pudding image

This is a wonderful pudding recipe I have been making for years. Our family loves it best when it's hot. Can also use as a pie filling.

Provided by COOKIEWOMAN

Categories     Desserts     Custards and Pudding Recipes

Time 40m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 7

1 cup packed brown sugar
¼ cup cornstarch
3 cups milk
½ teaspoon salt
3 egg yolks, beaten
¼ cup butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Steps:

  • In a small bowl, mix together brown sugar, cornstarch and salt. Add enough milk to make thick paste. In a saucepan over medium heat, bring milk to a boil. Stir in brown sugar mixture, return to a boil, and cook for 1 minute.
  • Place egg yolks in small bowl. Temper the yolks by quickly stirring in about 1/4 of hot milk mixture. Pour yolk mixture back into hot milk mixture, and return to heat. Cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute; remove from heat. Stir in butter and vanilla until butter is melted. Pour into bowls, and let cool slightly.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 475.3 calories, Carbohydrate 70.4 g, Cholesterol 198.8 mg, Fat 18.4 g, Fiber 0.1 g, Protein 8.2 g, SaturatedFat 10.8 g, Sodium 469.6 mg, Sugar 62.1 g

CREAMY BUTTERSCOTCH PUDDING



Creamy Butterscotch Pudding image

Deciding to make a real homemade dessert one night, I mixed up this pudding. It's from my favorite cookbook with a few added tweaks-and much better than store-bought! -EMR, Taste of Home Online Community

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 25m

Yield 4 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 7

1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar
2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons cornstarch
1/8 teaspoon salt
2 cups fat-free milk
2 egg yolks, lightly beaten
1 tablespoon butter
1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Steps:

  • In a small saucepan, combine the brown sugar, cornstarch and salt. Add milk and egg yolks; stir until smooth. Cook and stir over medium heat until mixture comes to a boil. Cook and stir 1-2 minutes longer or until thickened., Remove from the heat; stir in butter and vanilla. Cool to room temperature, stirring several times. Pour into four individual dessert dishes. Cover and refrigerate for 1-2 hours or until chilled.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 221 calories, Fat 5g fat (3g saturated fat), Cholesterol 112mg cholesterol, Sodium 161mg sodium, Carbohydrate 38g carbohydrate (33g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 5g protein.

HOMEMADE BUTTERSCOTCH PUDDING



Homemade Butterscotch Pudding image

Homemade pudding reminds me of my grandma and how she turned milk and eggs into creamy textures before my eyes. The butterscotch in this recipe adds a caramel-sweet touch. -Teresa Wilkes, Pembroke, Georgia

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 20m

Yield 6 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 10

1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar
3 tablespoons cornstarch
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
3 cups 2% milk
3 egg yolks
2 tablespoons butter, cubed
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Whipped cream, optional

Steps:

  • In a large heavy saucepan, combine the first five ingredients. Stir in milk until smooth. Cook and stir over medium-high heat until thickened and bubbly. Reduce heat to low; cook and stir 2 minutes longer. Remove from the heat., Stir a small amount of hot mixture into the egg yolks; return all to the pan. Bring to a gentle boil, stirring constantly; cook 2 minutes or until mixture is thickened and coats the back of a spoon. Remove from the heat., Stir in butter and vanilla. Cool for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Transfer to six dessert dishes. Cover and refrigerate until chilled. Garnish with whipped cream if desired.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 273 calories, Fat 8g fat (5g saturated fat), Cholesterol 122mg cholesterol, Sodium 198mg sodium, Carbohydrate 45g carbohydrate (40g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 5g protein.

Tips:

  • Use a heavy saucepan: This will help to prevent the pudding from scorching.
  • Whisk constantly: This will help to prevent the pudding from curdling.
  • Do not overcook the pudding: It should be thick and creamy, but not rubbery.
  • Chill the pudding for at least 4 hours before serving: This will allow the flavors to develop and the pudding to set properly.
  • Serve the pudding with your favorite toppings: Such as whipped cream, caramel sauce, or fresh fruit.

Conclusion:

This ultimate butterscotch pudding is a delicious and easy-to-make dessert that is perfect for any occasion. With its rich, creamy flavor and smooth texture, this pudding is sure to be a hit with everyone who tries it. So next time you are looking for a special dessert, give this recipe a try. You won't be disappointed!

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