Butterscotch pudding was never my first choice as a child. Given a choice, I'd take chocolate every time. Now I love it. Maybe its subtleties are lost on chocoholic children like I was. Of course, unless I was at home, the puddings in question were usually the boxed kind. I don't think they tasted that bad, but that fake orangey color was not appealing to me.
This pudding is so easy, you can sit back and let the kids make it! It has 6 ingredients, no eggs, no complicated steps, no straining. It takes no more effort than the boxed kind, but has no artificial ingredients. And my recipe has a lot less sugar than most. Since the husband with texture issues doesn't like "runny" pudding, I make it firmer, like a pie filling, and sometimes make these unmolded puddings. If you like a looser/thinner pudding, just use the lesser amount of cornstarch.
Next time you have a fancy dinner party, cap it off with a simple butterscotch pudding. Perfectly delicious on its own, it can be prettied up for company with a little whipped cream and toasted pecans or chocolate curls. What's not to love? It's comfort food!
(Pudding is a part of childhood; everybody has a pudding story. What's yours? Out of thousands of readers, only a tiny fraction of you ever leave a comment! C'mon, talk to me!)
Butterscotch Pudding
(Makes 5 servings)
1/2 packed cup dark brown sugar
3 to 4 tablespoons cornstarch (4, if unmolding)
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 cups milk (I use organic 2%)
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 In heavy-bottomed 2-quart saucepan (I like the All-Clad Stainless 2-Quart Saucepan), whisk together brown sugar, cornstarch and salt. Gradually whisk in milk. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly; continue cooking for 1 minute. Remove from heat.
2 Whisk in butter and vanilla extract (and, sometimes, a spoonful of dark rum). Pour into 3/4-cup ramekins and, unless you are a fan of pudding skins, cover with circles of buttered parchment paper. Chill for at least 4 hours.
3 Serve pudding in the ramekins or as unmolded puddings turned out onto plates.