Old Fashioned Vegan Butterscotch Pudding (2024)

Creamy sweet butterscotch pudding just like grandma used to make...but vegan! This easy pudding is loaded with flavor and super easy to make.

This pudding blew my mind! I didn't even think I liked butterscotch pudding. I mean, I didn't dislike it, but it wasn't on top of my list. Not when there's chocolate pudding.

But this butterscotch pudding was absolutely amazing. Maybe I just grew up eating the boxed stuff, which isn't all that good. In any event, my vegan butterscotch pudding blew all other butterscotch puddings out of the water.

What You'll Need

• Non-dairy milk. I use almond milk, but pretty much any type will work. Make sure it's unflavored and unsweetened.
• Cornstarch. This is our thickener.
• Organic brown sugar. Brown sugar is a big part of what gives butterscotch pudding it's distinctive taste. Using organic sugar keeps the recipe vegan.
• Salt.
• Water.
• Full-fat coconut milk. Use the kind from a can.
• Vegan butter. Look for brands like Miyoko's or Earth Balance.
• Whiskey. This is optional, but it's another big part of what makes butterscotch taste like butterscotch.
• Vanilla extract.
• Turmeric. Totally optional, but use a pinch if you'd like to enhance the yellow color of your pudding.

How to Make Vegan Butterscotch Pudding

The following is a detailed photo tutorial on how to make vegan butterscotch pudding. Scroll down if you'd like to skip right to the full recipe.

• First, make sure your non-dairy milk is chilled. If it's not, stir in a few ice cubes to cool it down, then remove them.
• Now stir in the cornstarch until it's completely dissolved.

• Whisk the brown sugar, salt and water together in a medium pot, then place the pot over medium heat.
• Bring the mixture to a simmer and let it cook for about 5 minutes. Watch it carefully and adjust the temperature if needed, but don't stir!
• After 5 minutes, whisk in the coconut milk, followed by the milk and cornstarch mixture.
• Bring the mixture back up to a simmer and let it cook while whisking just for a minute or two, until it thickens up.

• Take the pot off of heat and whisk in the butter, whiskey, and vanilla. You can also add a pinch of turmeric if you're using it.
• Let the the pudding cool down a bit.

• Transfer it to serving dishes. Make sure to cover the dishes tightly to prevent skins from forming.

• I like to serve my pudding with a dollop of vegan whipped cream and a sprinkle of nutmeg.

Vegan Butterscotch Pudding Tips & FAQ

• Is this recipe gluten-free? It is!
• Storage & shelf life: Vegan butterscotch pudding will keep in a sealed container in the fridge for about 5 days.
• How can I make an alcohol-free version? Feel free to leave out the whiskey if needed — it adds flavor, but the pudding will still be delicious without it.
• Does this pudding taste like coconut? Not to me, but you can substitute another non-dairy milk if you absolutely hate the taste of coconut. Go for something very rich and creamy!

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