This Vanilla Pudding from Scratch is a classic dessert that’s super easy to make with just a few simple ingredients. Plus it’s creamier and takes better than the instant pudding mix that you get at the grocery store.
One of my favorite things about this creamy homemade budding is that you can eat it by itself or use it in recipes that call for instant pudding. Plus, kids always love this creamy dessert and you can feel about feeding it to your family.
This recipe only takes about 10 minutes to make and requires just a few ingredients, so it’s perfect for those busy days when you need something delicious but quick!
If you love creamy pudding recipes like this one then you may also enjoy these S’mores Pudding Shots. It’s one of my favorite sweet treats to make for adults in the summer.
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Why You’ll Love Homemade Vanilla Pudding
- You only need a handful of ingredients and a little bit of time to make this simple dessert so you don’t have to worry about breaking the bank.Â
- You most likely already have these ingredients on hand so you don’t have to worry about making an extra trip to the grocery store.Â
- It’s an easy vanilla pudding recipe that comes together quickly when you are craving a sweet treat.Â
- This classic dessert is made with ingredients that you can pronounce, unlike the store-bought pudding mixes.Â
Ingredients NeededÂ
Get the full info on these ingredients in the recipe ard at the bottom of this post.
- granulated sugar
- cornstarch
- whole milk
- heavy whipping cream
- egg yolks
- salted butter
- pure vanilla extract
Helpful Tools
Mason Jars for storing
Plastic Wrap or Saran Wrap
How To Make Vanilla Pudding from Scratch
- Mix the white sugar and corn starch together in a large saucepan. Then set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl mix together the milk, heavy cream, and egg yolks.
- Place the saucepan on the stove and turn the heat to medium whisk the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and bring to a boil. Make sure that you whisk continuously to prevent clumps.
- Once your pudding has come to a full boil, remove it from the heat.
- Whisk in the vanilla extract and melted butter.
- Pour the pudding into your mason jars or other serving container and cover tightly with plastic wrap. Make sure the plastic wrap touches the top of the pudding to prevent condensation from building up.
- Leave the pudding on the counter until it has come to temperature then place it in the fridge to cool completely.
- Top the pudding with your choice of whipped cream, banana slices, fresh fruit, or vanilla wafers before serving if desired.
Storage
Store your homemade vanilla pudding in an airtight container or in mason jars for up to 5 days in the fridge.
Recipe Variations
Homemade Chocolate Pudding: Follow the same instructions but add in 1/2 cup cocoa powder to the dry ingredients.
For a tropical twist: try adding coconut milk instead of whole milk and banana slices for a Coconut Banana Pudding.
For more flavor: For more intense vanilla flavor use vanilla bean paste instead of extract.
Homemade Banana Pudding: Pour this creamy vanilla pudding over layers of vanilla wafers and fresh banana slices to make a delicious banana pudding.
Tips & Tricks
- Make sure that you stir the egg mixture well so that it’s well combined before you add it to the dry ingredients.
- During the cooking process make sure that you stir the pudding constantly so that your pudding doesn’t stick to the bottom or develop clumps.
- For a little chocolate touch, sprinkle the top with chocolate chips for some added crunch.
- We love to serve this homemade pudding recipe with sliced fresh berries on top. It gives it a nice burst of fruit flavor.Â
- Make sure the plastic wrap touches the surface of the pudding so that condensation doesn’t build up and add water to your pudding.
- For this recipe, we highly recommend that you use pure vanilla extract instead of imitation extract. The pure extract gives a rich vanilla flavor to the pudding.Â
- Don’t waste the egg whites, save them and add them to your scrambled eggs in the morning or an omelet.
History of Homemade Vanilla Pudding
This classic dessert has been around for centuries with the earliest recipes dating back to the 1700s. The original versions of pudding were more like custard or rice pudding rather than the creamy vanilla pudding we know today.
Back in those days, they used whole milk, eggs, sugar, and butter as their main ingredients. Eventually, over time different variations started to appear like butterscotch pudding, banana pudding recipes, and chocolate pudding.
Today you can find all kinds of variations of this classic dessert from baked vanilla puddings to vegan pudding recipes made with almond milk or other non-dairy milk alternatives.
No matter how you make it, creamy homemade Vanilla Pudding is always a welcome treat that’s sure to please the whole family.
FAQ
Do you have questions about this vanilla pudding from scratch recipe? Here are the answers to the most commonly asked questions for this recipe.
Homemade pudding is made in a saucepan or double boiler on the stove and is boiled until it is thickened and combined.Â
Unfortunately, no I don’t recommend freezing pudding as it can separate when it’s thawed.
To get a smooth pudding make sure that you whisk the pudding vigorously while you add the milk mixture to the dry ingredients this prevents clumps from forming. Â
Other Creamy Dessert Recipes You May Enjoy
If you are like my family and love to enjoy a sweet treat after dinner give these other dessert recipes a try.
Vanilla Pudding From Scratch
Ingredients
- ¾ cup sugar granulated
- ¼ cup corn-starch
- 2 ½ cups milk whole
- ½ cup heavy whipping cream
- 4 large egg yolks
- 2 tablespoons salted butter melted
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
Instructions
- Mix the white sugar and corn starch together in a large saucepan. Then set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl mix together the milk, heavy cream, and egg yolks.
- Place the saucepan on the stove and turn the heat to medium whisk the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and bring to a boil. Make sure that you whisk continuously to prevent clumps.
- Once your pudding has come to a full boil, remove it from the heat.
- Whisk in the vanilla extract and melted butter.
- Pour the pudding into your mason jars or other serving container and cover tightly with plastic wrap. Make sure the plastic wrap touches the top of the pudding to prevent condensation from building up.
- Leave the pudding on the counter until it has come to temperature then place it in the fridge to cool completely.
- Top the pudding with your choice of whipped cream, banana slices, fresh fruit, or vanilla wafers before serving if desired.
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