Budyń

Polish Chocolate-Vanilla Budyń (Pudding)

Budyń is a classic Polish steamed or stovetop pudding, often served as a light dessert or a comforting snack. This version layers a delicate vanilla custard base with a rich chocolate sauce for the traditional two-tone effect.

Prep

10 min

Cook

20 min

Total

30 min

Serves

4

Difficulty

Easy

Recipe ingredients

• •500 ml (2 cups + 2 tbsp) whole milk, divided; use 3.5% fat for traditional richness
• •60 g (½ cup) potato starch or cornstarch, potato starch gives the closest authentic Polish texture; cornstarch works
• •80 g (⅓ cup + 1 tbsp) granulated sugar, divided
• •1 whole egg yolk, large
• •1 tsp vanilla extract, or ½ vanilla bean, scraped
• •30 g (1 oz) dark chocolate (70%), roughly chopped
• •15 g (1 tbsp) unsweetened cocoa powder, good-quality Dutch-process preferred
• •10 g (2 tsp) butter, optional, for a glossy chocolate layer

Steps

1. 1 In a small bowl, whisk 80 ml (⅓ cup) of the cold milk with the potato starch and 40 g (about 3 tbsp) of the sugar until completely smooth — this prevents lumps.
2. 2 In a medium saucepan, heat the remaining 420 ml of milk with the egg yolk and the remaining 40 g of sugar, whisking constantly, until it just begins to steam (about 70 °C / 160 °F). Do not let it boil.
3. 3 Slowly pour the warm milk mixture into the starch slurry while whisking, then return everything to the saucepan.
4. 4 Cook over medium-low heat, whisking continuously, for 4–6 minutes, until the pudding thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon and the first bubbles rise to the surface.
5. 5 Divide the thickened pudding in half between two bowls. Stir the vanilla into one half and the cocoa plus chocolate into the other; add the butter to the chocolate half for shine. Whisk both until smooth.
6. 6 Alternate spoonfuls of vanilla and chocolate pudding into 4 serving cups or ramekins, swirling gently with a knife to create a marbled or layered effect.
7. 7 Cover each cup with plastic wrap pressed directly onto the surface (to prevent a skin) and chill for at least 1 hour, or until set.
8. 8 Serve cold, optionally topped with a spoonful of whipped cream, jam, or fresh berries.