Put down the instant pudding mix. This creamy and flavorful Homemade Vanilla Pudding couldn’t be easier or more delicious! Serve this pudding on its own or with cookies, berries or whipped cream. VIDEO below.
It’s time homemade pudding gets the attention it deserves. Pudding has to be the most underrated dessert ever. It’s not as fancy or decadent as a pot de crème, mousse, or crème brûlée. It’s comforting, nostalgic, and uncomplicated, and that’s what I love about it!
If you have only ever had boxed/store-bought pudding, you are missing out. Yes, this takes a little more effort than peeling back the foil on a plastic cup, but once you taste this, you will never go back to that stuff again. You probably have most (or all?) of these ingredients in your kitchen right now. Check out how easy it is.
Homemade Vanilla Pudding
- Milk: Whole milk is the base of the pudding. Feel free to swap up to 1/2 cup milk for half-and-half for a richer pudding.
- Sugar: Regular granulated sugar sweetens the pudding. Nothing fancy here!
- Thickener: Egg yolks and cornstarch thicken up the pudding. It will thicken as it cooks on the stovetop, and it will continue to thicken as it cools in the fridge.
- Vanilla extract: This is what makes our pudding taste like vanilla. Use the best extract you can get – its flavor is coming through in every bite.
- Butter: Just a touch of butter is whisked into the hot pudding. This adds a touch of richness that takes this pudding over the top. Don’t skip it!
The pudding ingredients get whisked together and cooked on the stovetop for about 10 minutes. Then strain it and place it in the fridge to chill. Easy peasy!
One of the fabulous things about homemade pudding is its versatility. You can serve it on its own, or you can pair it with berries, whipped cream, cookies, or sliced bananas. It’s great layered in a trifle, or topped with fruit sauce. Note: you can also just place a huge bowl of pudding in your fridge and steal a bite (or two) every time you open the fridge door. ← Not a bad idea.
This is a classic, comforting dessert that I come back to time and time again – and I hope you will too!
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Easy Homemade Vanilla Pudding
Put down the instant pudding mix. This creamy and flavorful Homemade Vanilla Pudding couldn't be easier or more delicious! Serve this pudding on its own or with cookies, berries or whipped cream.
Ingredients
- scant 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 2 1/3 cups whole milk
- 2 large egg yolks
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
Instructions
In a medium saucepan whisk together sugar, cornstarch, salt, milk, and egg yolks. Cook over medium-low heat, alternating whisking frequently, until the mixture is bubbling and thickened, about 8-10 minutes. Note: It will thicken more as it cools.
Remove from heat and whisk in butter and vanilla extract. Place a fine mesh strainer over a large heatproof bowl. Pour the mixture through the strainer and into the bowl (Optional, to remove lumps. If you have no lumps, you can skip this step).
Transfer the pudding from the large bowl into individual serving bowls. Cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for several hours until chilled.
Recipe Video
Recipe Notes
Swap out 1/3 cup milk for 1/3 cup International Delights Simply Pure Vanilla Creamer, for a stronger vanilla flavor.
Julia M says
We were craving a simple, yummy dessert that wasn’t filled with artificial color and ingredients. This was incredibly easy to make and so delicious. Pudding is once again part of my dessert repertoire. Thank you!
Celebrating Sweets says
I’m so glad that you liked it. Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment. Enjoy!
Frances says
This recipe was perfect…To make a long story short, I needed a vanilla pudding recipe for a Boston Cream Pie I was making for the Super Bowl. I thought I would have to run to the store again due to a lack of ingedients. But then I found your recipe. I had all the ingredients and could finish my Boston Cream Pie. Thank you!
Celebrating Sweets says
Fantastic! I’m so glad that it worked out for you. Thanks for taking the time to comment. Enjoy the game! -Allison
Paulette Williams says
I want to make a ‘Cream Puff Cake’ and every recipe I’ve read says to use 3 boxes of vanilla pudding and cool whip. I just can’t do that! If I make the cake in a 9 x 13 would I triple your homemade vanilla pudding recipe?
Celebrating Sweets says
Hi, Paulette. I would think doubling the recipe would probably be enough, although if you want to triple it to make sure you have enough, you can do that. Make sure you use a large enough pot, and make sure you whisk and stir frequently so the pudding doesn’t burn on the bottom. It will probably take a little longer then the recipe states because you’ll have a larger volume of ingredients. If you’re looking for a swap for the cool whip as well, I have a homemade whipped cream recipe (here). Enjoy!