Sugar-Free Butterscotch Pudding – Rich, Creamy, and Ridiculously Low-Carb

Sugar-Free Butterscotch Pudding – Rich, Creamy, and Ridiculously Low-Carb

Butterscotch was my jam growing up—but the boxed stuff is a sugar trap and the classic stovetop recipes aren’t exactly keto-friendly. After multiple tweaks (and a few scrambled yolks), this version nails the caramelized butter flavor with a silky texture—without sugar, starch, or guilt.

💡 The Secret Behind This Low-Carb Win

  • Coconut cream brings the luscious, fatty base—without dairy bloat.
  • Brown sugar alternative (like Sukrin Gold or Swerve Brown) delivers that deep, molasses-y butterscotch note.
  • Yolks thicken naturally (no cornstarch needed).
  • Xanthan gum finishes the job and sets it just right in the fridge.
  • You only need a few spoonfuls—it’s that rich.

🧾 Ingredients That Kept It Keto

  • ½ cup Sukrin Gold (or Swerve Brown) – Low-carb sweetener with that warm brown sugar flavor.
  • ¼ tsp sea salt – Balances all that buttery sweetness.
  • 2 cans coconut cream (13.5 oz each) – Or ~3⅓ cups heavy cream if you prefer dairy.
  • 4 egg yolks – Adds silkiness and acts as a natural thickener.
  • 1 tsp liquid stevia (or adjust to taste) – Complements the brown sweetener without carbs.
  • 3 tbsp butter – Adds that caramel depth.
  • ⅛ tsp nutmeg – Optional, but brings warmth.
  • 1 tbsp vanilla extract – Always.
  • ½ tsp xanthan gum – Thickens without cornstarch. Adjust as needed.

🔁 Custom Tweaks I’ve Tried

SwapOutcomeStill Keto?
Heavy cream instead of coconutSlightly richer, more dairy-sweetYes
Allulose instead of SukrinSofter set, still caramel flavorYep
Guar gum instead of xanthanSofter, more jello-like textureIt works, but not my favorite

⚠️ What I Got Wrong

What Went WrongWhy It HappensHow to Fix It
Cooked egg bitsDidn’t temper yolks slowlyAlways add hot cream gradually, whisk constantly
Gritty textureUsed granular sweetenerAlways use powdered or fully dissolved sweeteners
Too runnyNot enough xanthan or undercookedSimmer longer, or increase gum to ¾ tsp if needed

👩‍🍳 How to Make It (Step-by-Step)

  1. In saucepan, combine Sukrin Gold, sea salt, and coconut cream. Heat until boiling.
  2. Reduce to low and simmer 2 more mins.
  3. In a bowl, beat egg yolks. Slowly add ½ cup of hot cream mixture to temper.
  4. Pour yolk mix back into pot. Bring to a gentle boil, stir constantly.
  5. Cook until thickened (about 2 more mins).
  6. Remove from heat. Stir in butter, vanilla, nutmeg, stevia.
  7. Sprinkle xanthan gum while whisking to avoid clumps.
  8. Let cool 15 mins, stirring occasionally.
  9. Chill in jars or ramekins until set (about 2 hours minimum).
Sugar-Free Butterscotch Pudding – Rich, Creamy, and Ridiculously Low-Carb
Sugar-Free Butterscotch Pudding – Rich, Creamy, and Ridiculously Low-Carb

🧠 Smart Moves I Always Use

  • I whisk the xanthan gum through a fine sieve before sprinkling—no gum blobs.
  • If I accidentally overheat and scramble a bit? I strain it through a mesh sieve before chilling.
  • Best served with keto whipped cream + sea salt flakes if you’re fancy.

🧊 Storage + Tracking Tips

  • Fridge: Keeps 5–6 days in a sealed jar or ramekin.
  • Freezer: Texture may separate—not ideal for freezing.
  • Macros: Perfect fat-to-carb ratio for a fat bomb disguised as dessert.

❓ What I Googled Before Making This

Does butterscotch flavor need real sugar?
Nope. Brown erythritol or allulose + butter gives you the same vibe.

Can I use whole eggs?
Technically yes, but yolks only = creamier texture and better set.

Is this dairy-free?
Yes, if you use coconut cream. If not, heavy cream works just fine.

🧾 Full Nutrition Facts (Per Serving – 1/12 of batch)

NutrientAmount
Calories197 kcal
Total Fat20.3g
Saturated Fat16.5g
Cholesterol**78mg
Sodium72mg
Potassium182mg
Total Carbohydrates3.9g
Dietary Fiber1.5g
Sugar Alcohol10g (erythritol)
Net Carbs~2.4g
Protein2.5g
Vitamin A150 IU
Vitamin C2.5 mg
Calcium20 mg
Iron1.3 mg

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Sugar-Free Butterscotch Pudding – Rich, Creamy, and Ridiculously Low-Carb

Difficulty:BeginnerPrep time: 5 minutesCook time: 15 minutesRest time:2 hours Total time:2 hours 20 minutesCooking Temp:100 CServings:12 servingsEstimated Cost:25 $Calories:197 kcal Best Season:Available

Description

Rich, velvety butterscotch pudding with zero sugar, full fat, and that classic caramel-butter flavor—all done without starch or carbs.

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Combine sweetener, salt, and cream in a saucepan. Heat to boil, then simmer 2 mins.
  2. Temper yolks with ½ cup of hot cream. Whisk back into pot.
  3. Simmer 2 mins more, stirring constantly, until thickened.
  4. Remove from heat; stir in stevia, butter, vanilla, nutmeg.
  5. Whisk in xanthan gum. Cool 15 mins.
  6. Chill in jars for 2+ hours until fully set.

Notes

  • Temper your eggs slowly to avoid scrambling.
  • Blend the sweetener fully or use powdered to prevent grittiness.
  • Strain through mesh if you spot any curdled bits.
  • Serve with keto whipped cream or dark chocolate shavings for next-level dessert.

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