Sea Salt Caramel Budino

Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 10 min
Servings: 6
Yield: 6 servings

Description

This budino, or 'pudding' in Italian, is layered with shortbread crumbs and sea salt caramel, so you get a sweet surprise in every spoonful.

Ingredients

2/3 cup packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1/8 teaspoon salt
2 egg yolks
2 cups milk
2 tablespoons butter, softened
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract, divided
1/2 cup crushed shortbread cookies (such as Lorna Doone®)
1 cup salted caramel sauce (such as Smucker's® Simple Delight™), divided
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1 tablespoon white sugar
1/8 teaspoon flaky sea salt (such as Maldon®)

Directions

1 Mix together brown sugar, cornstarch, and salt in a saucepan.
2 Whisk together egg yolks and milk in a small bowl; gradually whisk into sugar mixture. Cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, until mixture thickens and boils, about 6 minutes. Boil, stirring, for 1 minute. Remove from heat. Stir in butter and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Pour into another bowl; chill pudding for 20 minutes.
3 Divide crushed cookies evenly among 6 half-pint Mason jars or parfait glasses. Layer 1/4 cup pudding, 1 tablespoon caramel sauce, and 1/4 cup additional pudding into each jar. Chill for 30 minutes or up to 1 day.
4 Beat together cream, white sugar, and remaining 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract with an electric mixer in a chilled bowl until soft peaks form. Cover and chill.
5 Just before serving, top each jar generously with whipped cream, drizzle with remaining caramel sauce, and sprinkle with sea salt.