Ultimate Salted Caramel Pudding: Creamy, Dreamy Dessert with Sweet & Salty Pecans
Prepare to indulge in a dessert experience that transcends the ordinary: a rich and creamy salted caramel pudding, perfectly complemented by a cloud of homemade whipped cream and delightful candied pecans. This isn’t just a dessert; it’s a symphony of textures and flavors – the silky smooth pudding, the delicate crunch of the pecans, and that irresistible balance of sweet and salty that keeps you coming back for more.
There’s something truly magical about homemade caramel. It’s a skill that many bakers aspire to master, and for good reason. The deep, complex flavor of caramel made from scratch is unparalleled, forming the heart of countless beloved desserts. My friend Kelley, from the wonderful blog Mountain Mama Cooks, embarked on a culinary bucket list for 2013. Her list was brimming with inspiring foodie goals, from crafting fresh, homemade pasta to confidently breaking down a whole chicken. Among these ambitious aspirations was mastering the art of real caramel. When I read that, my heart skipped a beat, and I immediately knew I wanted to be part of that journey.
While I wouldn’t call myself a caramel expert, I do feel quite comfortable in its presence, having made it several times over the years. But more than my comfort level, it’s my profound love for caramel that drove my eagerness to join Kelley. The idea of spending an afternoon dedicated to this golden, buttery confection, alongside a dear friend, was simply too appealing to resist. We eagerly set a date, filled with anticipation for our caramel-making adventure. However, as life often dictates, our plans faced a few detours. Sick kids, unexpected snowstorms, and various other delightful interruptions meant we had to reschedule our “caramel day” at least a dozen times. It began to feel as though our sweet destiny wasn’t meant to be, always just out of reach.
But today was different! The stars finally aligned, and we were able to make it work. What a smashing success it turned out to be! There’s an undeniable joy in sharing kitchen experiences, especially when it involves something as captivating as caramel. We each brought a different caramel-based recipe to the table, eager to explore the versatility of this incredible ingredient. We stood over the stove, mesmerized as sugar slowly melted and transformed into that beautiful, amber-hued caramel, all while catching up on life and swapping stories and laughter. It was a truly delightful and productive afternoon.
Kelley, with her incredible culinary intuition, created the most amazing caramel sauce, generously spiked with a touch of High West Whiskey. The aroma alone was intoxicating, and the taste? It was so incredibly delicious that we practically licked the pan clean, savoring every last drop of its boozy, buttery goodness. It truly was a testament to her dedication to mastering caramel, and she certainly aced it!
My contribution to our caramel-themed gathering was a recipe I had been longing to try for months: Smitten Kitchen’s caramel pudding. This seemed like the absolute perfect opportunity to dive into this highly-praised dessert. And it did not disappoint. It was every bit as rich, smooth, and deeply creamy as I had imagined, a true embodiment of comfort in a bowl. But what elevated this luscious pudding to an even higher plane of deliciousness was the thoughtful addition of a few simple garnishes. A dollop of light, airy whipped cream provided a delicate contrast, while a generous sprinkle of crunchy, candied pecans added a wonderful textural element and another layer of sweetness. And, of course, a tiny pinch of flaky sea salt brought that essential salty counterpoint, balancing the sweetness and intensifying the caramel flavor.
And if you’re wondering what took this dessert completely over the top, pushing it into the realm of truly unforgettable? It was a delicate drizzle of Kelley’s incredible High West Whiskey caramel sauce. Oh, yes! Some might say it was a little much, perhaps an indulgence bordering on excessive, but in that moment, “over the top” never tasted so exquisitely good. The layers of caramel, from the pudding itself to Kelley’s boozy sauce, combined with the other elements, created a dessert that was pure bliss. It was a celebration of friendship, shared culinary passion, and the undeniable allure of perfectly executed caramel.
Mastering Homemade Caramel: Essential Baking Tips
Many home cooks shy away from making caramel from scratch, viewing it as an intimidating and delicate process. While it does require your full attention, I promise it’s actually quite simple to master with a few key guidelines. The reward of deeply flavorful, homemade caramel vastly outweighs the effort. This essential technique forms the foundation for so many wonderful desserts, including our delightful caramel pudding.
baking tip:How to make caramel sauce
Caramel seems tricky, I know, but it is actually quite simple. And even though recipes may vary on exact amounts, they all follow this structure:
1. Cook the sugar, without stirring, until it becomes a dark amber color.
2. Remove from heat and add heavy cream in small amounts while whisking constantly. Caramel will bubble violently.
3. Once all of the cream has been added, return to low heat and stir constantly until any lumps have been melted and mixture is smooth.
4. Whisk in vanilla, salt, and any other flavorings as desired.
For step-by-step photos and caramel tips, see my full caramel tutorial.
When making caramel, patience is your best friend. Start with a heavy-bottomed saucepan, which distributes heat more evenly and prevents scorching. Place your granulated sugar in the pan and allow it to melt over medium heat without stirring. This “dry caramel” method prevents crystallization. You might be tempted to stir, but resist! Instead, gently swirl the pan occasionally to help the sugar melt evenly. Watch it closely as it transforms from clear crystals to a beautiful, golden liquid, then to a rich, dark amber. The darker the caramel (without burning), the more complex and less cloyingly sweet the flavor will be. However, go too far, and it will taste bitter. It’s a delicate balance that comes with practice.
Once your sugar reaches that perfect dark amber hue, immediately remove it from the heat. This is a critical step, as residual heat can cause it to burn quickly. Now, the fun (and slightly dramatic) part: slowly pour in the heavy cream while whisking constantly. Be prepared for a vigorous reaction – the caramel will bubble and steam violently! This is completely normal as the hot sugar reacts with the cooler cream. Continue whisking until all the cream is incorporated and the bubbling subsides. If any hardened sugar lumps form, don’t fret. Return the pan to low heat and continue to whisk gently until these lumps dissolve and the mixture becomes silky smooth. Finally, whisk in vanilla extract, a pinch of salt (the key to salted caramel!), and any other flavorings like the whiskey Kelley used. This simple process, once demystified, opens up a world of delicious possibilities in your kitchen. For a more detailed visual guide, my full caramel tutorial is an excellent resource.
Caramel Pudding with Sweet and Salty Pecans Recipe
This recipe for homemade caramel pudding is truly a showstopper, yet it’s surprisingly simple to execute. The combination of its luscious texture, deep caramel notes, and the irresistible sweet and salty crunch of the pecans makes it a perfect dessert for any occasion, from a casual weeknight treat to a special gathering. The chilling time is essential for the pudding to set properly and develop its full flavor, so plan ahead!
Caramel Pudding with Sweet and Salty Pecans
Pin Recipe
Leave a Review
Ingredients
For the pudding:
- 1 cup granulated sugar (200 grams)
- 4 cups whole milk , at room temperature (1 quart, 1 liter)
- 5 tablespoons cornstarch (50 grams)
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- ¼-½ teaspoons salt
For the pecans:
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar (40 grams)
- 2 tablespoons water (30 ml)
- 1 tablespoon butter (14 grams)
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup pecan halves (80 grams)
Instructions
To make the pudding:
-
Whisk together ½ cup of the milk with the cornstarch. Set aside. This creates a slurry that will thicken your pudding without lumps.
-
In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, place the granulated sugar over medium heat. Allow the sugar to melt and caramelize, swirling the pan gently if necessary to ensure it caramelizes evenly and prevents sticking. Keep a close watch to prevent it from burning, as burnt sugar will impart a bitter taste. Aim for a rich, dark amber color.
-
When the sugar has completely caramelized to that beautiful amber hue, remove the pan from the heat. Carefully and slowly pour in the remaining 3 ½ cups of milk while whisking constantly. The caramel will bubble and steam violently at the beginning due to the temperature difference; this is normal. Once all the milk has been added, return the pan to medium heat and continue to whisk to dissolve any caramel that may have hardened into lumps. Bring to a gentle boil for a few minutes until the mixture has slightly thickened.
-
Slowly whisk in the prepared milk and cornstarch mixture, along with the vanilla extract and salt. Continue to stir constantly until the pudding visibly thickens to your desired consistency. Taste and adjust the salt according to your preferences – a little more salt can really make the caramel flavor pop! For the silkiest texture, you may pour the hot pudding mixture through a fine-mesh strainer (optional step) to catch any tiny lumps. Divide the pudding into individual serving dishes and chill for at least one hour, or until thoroughly set and cold. Serve this delightful dessert with freshly sweetened whipped cream and the homemade sweet and salty pecans.
To make the pecans:
-
In a small saucepan, combine the granulated sugar, water, salt, and butter over medium heat. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring continuously to ensure the sugar completely dissolves. Once boiling, add the pecan halves to the pan. Continue to cook, stirring constantly, until the sugar syrup coats the pecans and turns a beautiful golden brown color. This process usually takes about 3 minutes. The coating will be thick and shiny.
-
Immediately spoon the candied pecans onto a parchment paper-lined sheet pan. Use a fork to quickly separate them while they are still warm and sticky, preventing them from clumping together as they cool. For an extra touch of flavor and visual appeal, sprinkle with additional coarse sea salt before they fully set. Allow them to cool completely at room temperature, at which point they will become wonderfully crunchy and ready to garnish your caramel pudding.
Notes
There’s a reason this particular caramel pudding recipe has gained such popularity. Its foundation is a truly spectacular homemade caramel, giving it a depth of flavor that store-bought versions can only dream of. The texture is key – smooth, rich, and incredibly satisfying, without being overly heavy. The cornstarch acts as a gentle thickener, ensuring that luxurious mouthfeel. And the salt, carefully balanced, cuts through the sweetness to highlight the nutty, complex notes of the caramelized sugar.
The Perfect Topping: Sweet and Salty Pecans
While the pudding itself is magnificent, the sweet and salty pecans truly elevate this dessert to an artisanal level. These aren’t just any pecans; they are gently toasted and coated in a delicate, crisp sugar crust that’s seasoned with a touch of salt. This provides a crucial textural contrast, adding a delightful crunch against the silky pudding. The process is quick and simple, but yields remarkably flavorful results. They offer an earthy, nutty base, while the sweet coating and sea salt enhance the entire experience, playing perfectly off the pudding’s rich caramel base. You can make these candied pecans ahead of time and store them in an airtight container for a quick and easy garnish when dessert time rolls around.
Serving Suggestions & Variations
Beyond the classic whipped cream and candied pecans, feel free to experiment with other garnishes. A sprinkle of high-quality flaky sea salt directly over the whipped cream is always a good idea. For an extra layer of decadence, consider a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a drizzle of chocolate sauce. The versatility of this salted caramel pudding means it can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion. It’s truly a timeless dessert that celebrates the simple yet profound joy of homemade treats.
I wholeheartedly encourage you to try making this salted caramel pudding and these incredible sweet and salty pecans. It’s a truly rewarding experience, especially when shared with loved ones. The process of making caramel, though it requires a watchful eye, is a foundational skill that will serve you well in many future baking endeavors. The result is a dessert that looks impressive, tastes divine, and will undoubtedly become a treasured recipe in your repertoire. Enjoy every luscious, sweet, and salty spoonful!