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    Butterscotch Tapioca Pudding Rich, Creamy Comfort Food

    Published: Sep 13, 2016 ยท Modified: Jul 14, 2023 by Audrey ยท This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Butterscotch Tapioca Pudding is a creamy tapioca pudding made with brown sugar, butter and vanilla for a comforting butterscotch pudding flavor.

    If you want something truly delectable, nothing beats a bowl of creamy, dreamy butterscotch tapioca pudding. Chewy tapioca pearls in a sweet rich sauce, a little old fashioned comfort on a spoon. Mmmm!

    ramekin of tapioca pudding with text overlay :butterscotch tapioca pudding"

    I have quite a few healthy recipes on the blog.

    This recipe is anything but healthy. It is comfort food.

    Loaded with butter and brown sugar, it isn't an every day food. It is "I'm recovering from a cold, the house is a mess, my child is bouncing off the walls and I need something to make me feel better" food.

    The recipe comes from Cooking from Quilt Country by Marcia Adams (affiliate link) based on the 1980s PBS series of the same name.

    Tapioca pudding is often made by soaking the pearls and eventually adding eggs in two batches, first the yolks then later folding in the beaten whites. This recipe does neither. No soaking and it is done cooking in 30 minutes.

    WARNING: Not All Small Pearl Tapioca is the same

    Tapioca is made from the cassava plant that grows in the tropics (very popular in South American and South East Asian cuisine). Here in the US we hardly use cassava except as tapioca and mainly as a thickener, or to make pudding and boba (milk tea).

    I have tried several different brands of small pearl tapioca to make pudding. Some use the amount of tapioca in the recipe. Some use half the amount. Both are labeled as small pearl tapioca (not quick cooking).

    What should you do? Check the directions on your package of tapioca pearls. If the ratio of water to pearls is higher (more water than tapioca) try the package ratio first.

    If it seems too soupy to your liking add more pearls and keep cooking. It won't harm the already cooked pearls to cook a bit longer.

    More Comfort Food Recipes from #OurFamilyTable

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    Tis the season for comfort food and we have some comforting recipes to share with you today with lots of delicious soups, pastas and desserts.

    Comfort Food Recipes

    • Butterscotch Tapioca Pudding from That Recipe
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    • Gluten-Free, Vegan Cilantro Cream Quinoa Spaghetti from Magical Ingredients
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    • Sausage Tortellini Soup from Fresh April Flours
    • Taco Soup from Devour Dinner


    We share Recipes From Our Dinner Table! Join our group and share your recipes, too! While you're at it, join our Pinterest board, too!

    ramekin of tapioca pudding with text overlay :butterscotch tapioca pudding"

    Recipe

    Print Recipe Pin Recipe

    Ingredients
     

    • 2ยฝ cups water
    • pinch salt
    • โ…” cup small pearl tapioca (not quick cook)
    • ยฝ cup dark brown sugar
    • 1 egg
    • ยผ cup milk
    • 2 tablespoons sugar
    • 2ยฝ tablespoons butter
    • ยฝ teaspoon vanilla

    Instructions
     

    • In a medium saucepan, combine water, salt and tapioca. Cook over medium heat for 15 minutes.
    • Add the brown sugar to the tapioca, lower the heat and cook for 5 more minutes. There will still be a bit of white left in the tapioca, if it is more than halfway white cook a bit longer.
    • Whisk together the egg and milk in a measuring cup. When the tapioca mixture is mostly cooked, scoop out about โ…“ cup and whisk it into the milk and egg. Then whisk the tempered egg mixture into the rest of the tapioca.
    • Cook over low heat for about 10 more minutes. While it is cooking, in a small saucepan melt the butter and continue cooking until it is light brown.
    • Combine browned butter and vanilla with the tapioca. Pour into one 1 quart serving dish or 4-6 individual serving dishes. Let cool to room temperature and serve.

    Notes

    WARNING: Not all small pearl tapioca is the same. If the recipe on your package calls for less tapioca per 2 ยฝ cups of water use the amount on the package to start and add more if it seems soupy. I have found a stark difference between brands with some needing half as much.ย 

    Sound fabulous? Share it!

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    Until next time, happy eating!
    ~Audrey

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Lisa/Syncopated Mama

      September 13, 2016 at 6:24 am

      I'm not a fan of tapioca, but G is, so I might have to make up a batch of this stuff just for him! Hope you're having a great Tuesday so far!

      Reply
    2. Easy Peasy Life Matters

      September 13, 2016 at 7:04 am

      This pudding sounds absolutely delicious! Thanks so much for sharing and for hosting ๐Ÿ™‚ Hope you have a wonderful week!

      Reply
    3. Mother of 3

      September 13, 2016 at 4:48 pm

      I am not a big fan of tapioca but I might actually eat it if it was butterscotch flavored.

      Reply
      • Audrey

        September 20, 2016 at 10:37 am

        I'd never tried it before. It's good, especially if you like gummy.

    4. Christie

      December 05, 2021 at 10:41 am

      This pudding looks delicious! I've never tried tapioca pudding, but this is screaming make me!

      Reply

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    Welcome, I'm Audrey, an avid "maker" that believes home made is better.

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