Bourbon-Butterscotch Pudding

A rich and creamy butterscotch pudding infused with vanilla bean and bourbon, served in individual ramekins. This decadent dessert combines brown sugar, heavy cream, and egg yolks for a silky-smooth texture.

8 servings
3 hr 17 min

Ingredients

  • ¼ cup unsalted butter
  • 1 piece vanilla bean
  • ¾ cup light brown sugar
  • cups heavy cream
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 1 tablespoon bourbon
  • ½ teaspoons kosher salt
  • 6 large egg yolks
  • ¼ cup cornstarch
  • 3 tablespoons sugar
  • to taste Crème fraîche and crushed gingersnap cookies
  • 8 piece 6-ounce ramekins

Cooking Instructions

  1. 1.

    Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Scrape in seeds from vanilla bean; add bean. Cook, swirling pan occasionally, until butter begins to brown and smell nutty, about 3 minutes. Add brown sugar and cook, stirring occasionally, until sugar is starting to dissolve, about 2 minutes. Add cream, milk, bourbon, and salt; bring to a simmer. Remove from heat.

    7 min

  2. 2.

    Whisk egg yolks, cornstarch, and sugar in a large bowl until smooth. Gradually add hot cream mixture, whisking constantly. Wipe out saucepan. Strain custard through a fine-mesh sieve back into saucepan and cook over medium heat, stirring often, until custard bubbles occasionally and starts to thicken, 5-6 minutes.

    8 min

  3. 3.

    Remove saucepan from heat and transfer mixture to a blender. Blend briefly on low speed until smooth. Place ramekins or bowls on a rimmed baking sheet. Divide custard evenly among ramekins and chill until set, at least 3 hours. DO AHEAD: Puddings can be made 3 days ahead. Cover and keep chilled.

    180 min

  4. 4.

    Top each pudding with crème fraîche and crushed gingersnaps, if desired.

    2 min

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