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Home » Dessert » Homemade Vanilla Pudding

Homemade Vanilla Pudding

Published: Aug 5, 2018 · Modified: Jan 12, 2021 by Allison · 592 Comments

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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.

Vanilla pudding in a glass with vanilla wafer cookies.

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.

PREFER CHOCOLATE PUDDING? CLICK HERE!

Vanilla pudding in a white ramekin with berries.

Homemade Vanilla Pudding

  • Milk: Whole milk is the base of the pudding. Feel free to swap up to ½ 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!

Vanilla pudding topped with whipped cream and crushed cookies.

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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Recipe

Vanilla pudding in a glass with vanilla wafer cookies.

Easy Homemade Vanilla Pudding

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.
4.90 from 292 votes
Print Pin SaveSaved!
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 25 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes minutes
Servings: 4 generous ½ cup servings (a little over 2 cups total)
Calories: 232kcal
Author: Allison - Celebrating Sweets

Ingredients

  • ⅓ cup granulated sugar
  • 3 tablespoons cornstarch
  • ⅛ teaspoon salt
  • 2-¼ cups whole milk
  • 2 large egg yolks
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • 1-½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract

Instructions

  • In a medium saucepan whisk together sugar, cornstarch, salt, milk, and egg yolks. Cook over medium-low heat, whisking occasionally (every minute or two), until the mixture is bubbling all throughout (this took 7-8 minutes for mine).
    Once bubbling, continue cooking for one to two additional minutes, whisking once or twice, but not too vigorously (this can break down the binding properties). At this point the pudding should be thickened but still pourable, it will thicken more as it cools.
  • Remove from heat and whisk in butter and vanilla extract. 
    OPTIONAL, to remove lumps: Place a fine mesh strainer over a large heatproof bowl. Pour the mixture through the strainer and into the bowl. Skip this step if you don't notice any lumps in your pudding.
  • Transfer the pudding into a large bowl or into individual serving bowls. Cool until it is lukewarm, then cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for several hours or until chilled.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 232kcal | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 119mg | Sodium: 139mg | Potassium: 197mg | Sugar: 24g | Vitamin A: 450IU | Calcium: 172mg | Iron: 0.3mg

Nutritional Information is an estimate based on third-party calculations and may vary based on products used and serving sizes.

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Comments

  1. Leo

    January 01, 2023 at 4:47 pm

    5 stars
    this was so easy and fun! thank you!

    Reply
  2. Belinda

    January 04, 2023 at 11:37 am

    5 stars
    This putting is easy to make and it is so good. From now on, I will make this instead of the boxed pudding . Although when I make it for myself, I use plant-based milk (pea protein) and I love it. .

    Reply
  3. Shawn

    January 05, 2023 at 4:52 am

    5 stars
    This recipe actually is easy to make. The instructions are clear and simple to follow. Most important, this pudding is deliciously creamy with just the right amount of sugar. I will definitely be making this recipe again!

    Reply
    • Allison

      January 10, 2023 at 11:01 am

      I’m so glad! Thanks for stopping by. 🙂

      Reply
  4. Deborah

    January 05, 2023 at 9:10 pm

    5 stars
    Tastes like the pudding my grandmother used to make for banana pudding!
    Thanks!

    Reply
    • Allison

      January 10, 2023 at 11:00 am

      You’re welcome!

      Reply
  5. Amanda Gabany

    January 14, 2023 at 5:15 pm

    5 stars
    Just made 5 batches and this is wonderful.

    Reply
  6. Des

    February 01, 2023 at 9:02 pm

    5 stars
    Doubled the recipe and used to make an eclair cake. It took longer to get to a boil, which makes sense. Just the right sweetness. I threw a vanilla bea. In there too as it was cooking and it gave it a really nice vanilla flavor. Will definitely use this recipe again.

    Reply
  7. Tammy Locke

    February 03, 2023 at 11:08 am

    5 stars
    This is the best pudding I have ever eaten, and it’s super-easy to make. The instructions are perfect.

    Reply
    • Allison

      February 21, 2023 at 1:36 pm

      Thanks! I’m glad you enjoyed it. 🙂

      Reply
  8. Barbara

    February 06, 2023 at 5:48 pm

    5 stars
    I love this recipe as I’m one of the few people who isn’t a fan of chocolate. However, the recipe indicates 7-8 minutes before bubbling and that is really off! Takes me almost 20 minutes so I don’t know what kind of stove you’re using, but that timing is very inaccurate.

    Reply
  9. Sheila M Maurer

    February 09, 2023 at 3:48 pm

    5 stars
    The vanilla pudding was very good just a little too sweet when I make it again, I will cut down on the sugar. I add some unsweetened cocoa powder in half of the pudding, and it was delicious it cut down on the sweetness.

    Reply
  10. Sarah

    February 12, 2023 at 10:23 am

    5 stars
    My boys just got braces and I was buying the pudding cups from the store. I didn’t want them eating all the junk in those so I found and made your recipe. Soooo easy and they said it’s way better than the store bought junk😁. I wish I’d made it sooner. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    • Allison

      February 13, 2023 at 8:43 am

      You’re welcome! I’m glad you enjoyed it.

      Reply
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aboutHi, I'm Allison! I'm a busy wife and mom with a passion for cooking and baking. This is where you'll find my favorite homemade recipes, designed to help you make every day delicious! Read more....

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