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!
Paula Jones
Very easy and tasty. I used 2 cups 2% milk and 1/4 cup cream, 3 tablespoons sugar. It was perfect.
Allison
I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Pamela J Marcum
Perfect recipe. Delicious.!!!
Allison
I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Elizabeth R.
I used Vanilla Almond milk, since I don’t drink regular milk. It was so delicious with a little bit more vanilla extract. Just follow the same recipe.
Josh Silva
Very simple and easy to make. Tastes good would definitely recommend giving it a try.
Tressia Barnes
I love this pudding and use it to make a fantastic banana pudding
Allison
Great! Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
Maria Ames
It was great on it’s own, but I made a meringue out of the leftover egg whites and incorporated then into the pudding to get a lighter, airier pudding, then topped it with a sprinkle of cinnamon. It was delicious!
Janice
I’ve made this recipe several times and it’s delicious. But I must say, the first time I made it, I tried hard to follow the directive about not stirring/whisking much, even though most pudding recipes tell you to constantly stir. I ended up with a mixture of mostly cornstarch plus a little of the milk and sugar stuck all around the bottom rim of the pot. Since then, I make sure, once the pudding has started to thicken, to constantly stir and scrape all around the bottom rim. Other than that, good recipe!
April
Great recipe! I made a blueberry compote and put it in the bottom of individual dishes and topped with a couple of Nilla wafers. After they were chilled I topped with whipped cream. ♥️💯
Allison
Great idea! Sounds delicious. 🙂
Marlena
Perfect recipe and sweetness for me, first time making homemade pudding!👍
Allison
Yay! I’m glad you enjoyed it. 🙂
Traci
This is so easy to make and delicious
Allison
Thanks, Traci! I’m glad you enjoyed it. 🙂