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Homemade Vanilla Pudding

by Lyndsay Leave a Comment

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glasses of vanilla pudding garnished with strawberries and whipped cream

Homemade vanilla pudding is the ultimate in old-school, homey comfort. It’s something that lots of people grew up with, but not many make anymore. Given how easy it is to make, I think it’s time we bring back this humble dessert in all its creamy vanilla glory. Let’s do this, shall we?!

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Why should I make homemade vanilla pudding?

Good question. Honestly, with all the instant boxed options out there, I can see why people wouldn’t bother. However, if you know me, you know I’m a huge fan of simple, whole foods and real ingredients (ie not made in a factory). Making your own pudding only uses a small handful of simple ingredients most people have in their pantry. Boxed pudding has added ingredients you honestly don’t need. And given boxed and homemade vanilla pudding both only take minutes to make, why not go with the simple version your grandma would have made?

side view of a glass of homemade vanilla pudding

What is vanilla pudding made of?

This is simple, folks. All you need is:

  • Milk
  • Cream (or substitute for all milk, though cream adds to the richness of the pudding)
  • Sugar
  • Vanilla – use pure vanilla extract for the best flavour
  • Cornstarch – acts as the thickener

That’s it! Five ingredients from your fridge and pantry to whip up a simple and satisfying dessert.

Is vanilla pudding the same as vanilla custard?

Vanilla pudding is slightly different than vanilla custard both in taste and texture. While pudding is thickened with cornstarch, custard uses eggs to thicken the milk, resulting in a slightly different flavour as well as a slightly thicker texture.

How to make vanilla pudding from scratch

a spoonfull of homemade vanilla pudding

To begin, whisk together milk and cornstarch in a small bowl to create a ‘slurry’. Set this aside for later.

In a medium saucepan, whisk together milk, cream, and sugar. Stir over medium heat until it’s steaming and small bubbles are forming around the edge of the pan. Reduce heat to low.

Slowly pour in the cornstarch slurry, stirring constantly. Heat until pudding is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon (it will thicken a bit more as it cools). Remove from heat and stir in butter and vanilla.

Pour pudding into serving cups or bowls. Press plastic wrap directly onto the top of the pudding to avoid a skin from forming. Refrigerate until chilled.

Tools you may need:

Medium saucepan

Glass serving bowls

How to serve homemade vanilla pudding

While this recipe is wonderful as-is, my kids love it dressed up with some whipped cream and berries.

You can also serve this pudding as a fun treat topped with sprinkles, chocolate syrup, whipped cream, and maraschino cherries. Trust me, kids will love this.

homemade vanilla pudding on a white counter in a small serving dish

More easy dessert recipes:

Chocolate Pudding

Salted Caramel Oatmeal Cookies

Cherry Pie Rosettes

The Best Banana Bread

The Ultimate Dirt Pie

If you try this recipe and love it, If you try this recipe and love it, I would love if you could come back and give it 5 stars!

clear glass cups of homemade vanilla pudding topped with whipped cream and stawberries
Print Recipe

Homemade Vanilla Pudding

This sweet, creamy, classic, homemade vanilla pudding will transport you back to your childhood. Simple, delicious pudding just like Grandma used to make.
Prep Time5 minutes mins
Cook Time15 minutes mins
Total Time20 minutes mins
Course: Dessert, Snack
Keyword: after school snack, dessert, pudding, vanilla, vanilla pudding
Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients

  • 1 cup plus 3 tbsp milk, separated (2% or whole milk)
  • 1 cup 18% table cream
  • ⅓ cup sugar
  • 3 tbsp cornstarch
  • 1½ tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 1 pinch salt
  • 1 tbsp butter

Instructions

  • To begin, whisk together 3tbsp milk and cornstarch in a small bowl to create a 'slurry'. Set this aside for later.
  • In a medium saucepan, whisk together remaining 1 cup of milk, cream, and sugar. Stir over medium heat until it's steaming and small bubbles are forming around the edge of the pan. Reduce heat to low.
  • Slowly pour in the cornstarch slurry, stirring constantly. Heat until pudding is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon (it will thicken a bit more as it cools). Remove from heat and stir in butter and vanilla.
  • Pour pudding into serving cups or bowls. Press plastic wrap directly onto the top of the pudding to avoid a skin from forming. Refrigerate until chilled.

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*As an Amazon Assocaiate I make a small commission on qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. See my full disclosure here.

Filed Under: Desserts, Recipes, Snacks

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Welcome to A Little Hint of This

Hi! I’m Lyndsay, a busy mom of 3 and occasional high-school teacher from small-town Ontario. Join me on my journey to get back-to-basics and create a more harmonious home. Read more about me here !

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