butterscotch pudding

Pudding is a versatile food item that can be either a dessert or a savory dish. In the United States, it commonly refers to a sweet, milk-based dessert with a consistency similar to custard or mousse, often set using agents like cornstarch or gelatin. Historically, the term primarily described savory dishes, which were prepared by encasing ingredients in liquid form and then steaming or boiling them, a process similar to making sausages. While the American usage has evolved, other dishes like bread pudding and rice pudding also exist, often deriving from British culinary traditions.