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.
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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!
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
Easy Homemade Vanilla Pudding
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
Nutritional Information is an estimate based on third-party calculations and may vary based on products used and serving sizes.
Tried this recipe?Leave a comment and rating below!
Joanie @ ZagLeft
You just can’t beat homemade pudding and yours looks fabulous! I love the addition of the vanilla creamer – so smart!
Teri
Just made this for a Fourth of July party tomorrow. I wanted a take and go dessert that didn’t have to be cut and served. I used small plastic wine glasses and they look so festive! This recipe is delicious and easy.
Venessa Walker
Can this recipe BE doubled?
Celebrating Sweets
Yes! Enjoy!
Alina | Cooking Journey Blog
We love easy desserts in glasses. This looks so good to enjoy this summer, topped with fresh berries!
Marlynn | Urban Bliss Life
I love homemade over storebought, especially with desserts since you know all of the ingredients that go in it. This pudding looks so tasty!
Demeter
No need for store-bought when homemade is this easy to make! Such an easy last minute dessert that everyone will love!
Danielle
I never really liked vanilla pudding since the only kind I’ve had came from a box. This recipe looks so decadent and amazing! I really need to give vanilla pudding another shot!
Caroline
I’m not one for buying pudding but this does look so much better so would definitely tempt me!
Sheenam
This pudding looks absolutely delicious!!!
Cindy Ponko
I had some fresh raspberries left from another recipe, and wanted a vanilla pudding to enjoy then with. I made this recipe using half and half and 2 whole eggs. I love the way it turned out. So creamy and flavorful. Thank you!
Celebrating Sweets
Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for stopping by!
Nomi
This was the first pudding recipe I tried. It failed, because I didn’t bring the mixture to a high enough temp. The recipe calls for medium-low heat, but really it should come to a boil.
To salvage my unset pudding, I poured the mixture into the pot (leaving in the bowl the cornstarch that had settled to the bottom), added more cornstarch and brought to a boil. A minute or two later, I took it off the heat and whisked it. Thickened quite nicely.
Celebrating Sweets
Sorry to hear that. Yes, if it isn’t bubbling and thickening it is not being cooked at a high enough temp. Stovetop temps vary greatly. Thanks for sharing your experience. Glad you were able to salvage it.