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
Swap | Outcome | Still Keto? |
---|---|---|
Heavy cream instead of coconut | Slightly richer, more dairy-sweet | Yes |
Allulose instead of Sukrin | Softer set, still caramel flavor | Yep |
Guar gum instead of xanthan | Softer, more jello-like texture | It works, but not my favorite |
⚠️ What I Got Wrong
What Went Wrong | Why It Happens | How to Fix It |
---|---|---|
Cooked egg bits | Didn’t temper yolks slowly | Always add hot cream gradually, whisk constantly |
Gritty texture | Used granular sweetener | Always use powdered or fully dissolved sweeteners |
Too runny | Not enough xanthan or undercooked | Simmer longer, or increase gum to ¾ tsp if needed |
👩🍳 How to Make It (Step-by-Step)
- In saucepan, combine Sukrin Gold, sea salt, and coconut cream. Heat until boiling.
- Reduce to low and simmer 2 more mins.
- In a bowl, beat egg yolks. Slowly add ½ cup of hot cream mixture to temper.
- Pour yolk mix back into pot. Bring to a gentle boil, stir constantly.
- Cook until thickened (about 2 more mins).
- Remove from heat. Stir in butter, vanilla, nutmeg, stevia.
- Sprinkle xanthan gum while whisking to avoid clumps.
- Let cool 15 mins, stirring occasionally.
- Chill in jars or ramekins until set (about 2 hours minimum).

🧠 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)
Nutrient | Amount |
---|---|
Calories | 197 kcal |
Total Fat | 20.3g |
Saturated Fat | 16.5g |
Cholesterol** | 78mg |
Sodium | 72mg |
Potassium | 182mg |
Total Carbohydrates | 3.9g |
Dietary Fiber | 1.5g |
Sugar Alcohol | 10g (erythritol) |
Net Carbs | ~2.4g |
Protein | 2.5g |
Vitamin A | 150 IU |
Vitamin C | 2.5 mg |
Calcium | 20 mg |
Iron | 1.3 mg |
Check out More Recipes:
- Sugar-Free Vanilla Pudding – Low-Carb, Silky, and Spoon-Lickin’ Good
- Sugar-Free Chocolate Pudding – Creamy, Decadent, and Only 4.8g Carbs
- Sugar-Free Banana Pudding – No-Bake, Low-Carb, and Surprisingly Legit

Sugar-Free Butterscotch Pudding – Rich, Creamy, and Ridiculously Low-Carb
Description
Rich, velvety butterscotch pudding with zero sugar, full fat, and that classic caramel-butter flavor—all done without starch or carbs.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Combine sweetener, salt, and cream in a saucepan. Heat to boil, then simmer 2 mins.
- Temper yolks with ½ cup of hot cream. Whisk back into pot.
- Simmer 2 mins more, stirring constantly, until thickened.
- Remove from heat; stir in stevia, butter, vanilla, nutmeg.
- Whisk in xanthan gum. Cool 15 mins.
- 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.