Budino: The Italian Dessert That Will Become Your New Obsession

Who doesn't love a good pudding? But let's be honest, those store-bought cups or powdered mixes often fall short. Imagine if you could make a superior version from scratch whenever the mood strikes—and what if it was surprisingly simple, using ingredients you probably already have? Plus, what if it had a sophisticated edge, so you could wow your friends and family? Well, I've got great news: Budino is the answer to all of that and more.

What is Budino?

At its core, budino is a classic Italian pudding. But don't let that fool you—it's so much richer than your average pudding. Made with a milk and egg custard thickened with cornstarch, it shares similarities with American puddings and custards but has a deeper, eggier texture, reminiscent of Mexican flan.

To make things even better, budino is often paired with a delicious crust, like crushed cookies, and topped with a whipped cream layer. Some versions include additional toppings like salted caramel or butterscotch. While chocolate pudding is a common favorite in the U.S., budino offers flavors like coffee, caramel, vanilla, or honey. Fruit-based variations are rare, though you might find a lemon budino with a refreshing fruit compote during the summer. For an extra touch, crushed pistachios, biscotti bits, or other crunchy cookies make the perfect finishing garnish.

Get the Recipe: Chef John's Chocolate Budino

Why Budino is a Must-Try Dessert

Budino is the perfect showstopper dessert that's easy to make with simple pantry ingredients. A basic vanilla budino comes together quickly using items like milk, eggs, butter, and cornstarch, all of which most home cooks already have. The best part? The custard only takes about 20 minutes to prepare on the stovetop. While many people think egg custards are tricky or intimidating, budino's method—where you temper the milk first and then use cold milk and cornstarch to cool down the custard—makes it easier to avoid the common mistake of scrambling the eggs.

Despite being simple to prepare with everyday ingredients, budino feels incredibly special and can be customized with a variety of flavors and toppings. The basic recipe provided can easily be adjusted to suit your preferences and the ingredients you have available.

How to Make Budino

Basic Budino

Yields 2 servings of budino

Crust:

• ¼ cup crushed cookies
• 1 tablespoon butter, melted
• 1 pinch salt

Custard:

• ¾ cup whole milk, divided
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1 large egg yolk
• 3 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon cold butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon rum (optional)
• 1 pinch salt

Topping:

• ¼ cup heavy whipping cream
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• Cookie crumbs, for garnish

To prepare the crust:

1. Combine the cookie crumbs, melted butter, and a pinch of salt in a small bowl. Spoon the mixture into two small cups or glasses.

To prepare the custard:

1. In a small bowl, whisk together ¼ cup of milk with the cornstarch, then set the mixture aside.

2. In a saucepan, heat the remaining ½ cup of milk just until it begins to bubble.

3. In a large, heat-resistant bowl, whisk the egg yolk. Gradually pour in the warmed milk, whisking continuously, then whisk in the cornstarch and milk mixture. Set this aside.

4. In the same pan you used to heat the milk, combine the brown sugar and 3 tablespoons of water. Heat the mixture until the sugar dissolves.

5. Gradually pour the sugar mixture into the bowl with the milk and egg mixture while whisking constantly. Return the mixture to the pan and cook over medium heat, whisking continuously until it thickens, about 3-5 minutes.

6. Remove from heat and stir in the cold butter, vanilla extract, rum (if using), and salt. Pour the custard over the cookie crust and refrigerate for at least 4 hours.

To prepare the topping and finish the dish:

1. Whip the cream in a stand mixer, hand mixer, or by hand until it begins to thicken. Add sugar and vanilla extract, and continue whipping until the cream becomes fluffy. Spoon a generous amount of whipped cream onto each budino and sprinkle with cookie crumbs as a garnish.

Budino Flavor Variations

• Caramel: When making the brown sugar syrup, heat the syrup (without stirring!) to about 220 degrees F to create an easy homemade caramel sauce. Top the chilled and set budino with homemade or jarred caramel topping before dolloping on whipped cream.
  
• Mocha: Steep one tablespoon of coffee grounds in the milk while heating it and carefully strain the coffee out before mixing into the eggs. Use Oreo, or other chocolate cookie, crumbs in the crust and mix in a few healthy pinches of cocoa powder into the whipped cream mixture. Substitute your favorite coffee-flavored liqueur (like Kahlua) for the rum in the custard. Optionally, pour your favorite chocolate sauce on top of the chilled and set budino before dolloping on whipped cream.
  
• Amaretti: Use your favorite amaretti cookies for the crust. Stir ¼ teaspoon almond extract in with the vanilla extract when making the custard. Substitute your favorite amaretto liquor for the rum in the custard. Garnish with chopped almonds.
  
• Lemon: Use lemon-flavored shortbread cookies for the crust. Steep the zest of one lemon in with the milk as it heats. (If finely grated, you can leave the lemon zest; no need to strain.) Top the chilled and set budino with your favorite strawberry or raspberry jam. Garnish with candied lemon peel.