Vanilla Pudding Recipe
Homemade Vanilla Pudding – This nearly no-fail recipe is perfect for making the BEST rich, creamy, and flavorful vanilla pudding dessert or snack treat from scratch!
We Love Homemade Vanilla Pudding
Take a bite of creamy, cool, and luscious homemade pudding and – WOW! – you are transported back to childhood. No one can resist this simple, sweet treat!
We have a fabulous homemade chocolate pudding recipe to satisfy any chocolate craving. Today, we are sharing our easy recipe for Homemade Vanilla Pudding! It has the delicious and decadent flavors you crave, but our vanilla version is a bit less rich, perfect for topping with some fresh fruit!
This classic dessert is so easy to make from scratch with only a handful of pantry staples! The pudding is made on the stovetop and comes together in just 10 minutes… Before you know it you have the thickest, creamiest, tastiest vanilla pudding to serve as a simple treat – or use in cakes and pies!
Are vanilla pudding and vanilla custard the same?
These spoon-able desserts are slightly different. Pudding gets its thick consistency from cornstarch, making it smooth and creamy.
However, custard uses just egg yolks for thickness. It tends to be more firm and “jiggly.”
Ingredients You Need
- Milk – whole milk is best, not 2% or no fat
- Egg yolks – suggestion: make a frittata with the leftover egg white
- Cornstarch – a gluten-free thickening agent
- Granulated sugar – white sugar or your preferred alternative granulated sweetener
- Salt – just a pinch
- Butter – unsalted
- Vanilla extract – or other preferred flavor extract; see notes for ideas
Get the Full Ingredients List with Proportions and Detailed Instructions in the Recipe Card Below.
How to Make Vanilla Pudding from Scratch
Set a medium saucepot over medium heat. Add the whole milk, egg yolks, cornstarch, sugar, and salt to the pot.
Whisk until well incorporated the ingredients.
Bring the mixture to a simmer; this could take 3 to 5 minutes. One simmering, stir consistently for 1-2 minutes while the pudding thickens. It should be pretty thick, but will continue to thicken as it cools.
Remove from heat and stir in the butter and vanilla. Stir until the butter is fully melted and combined.
Scoop or pour the pudding into a storage container.
Get the Complete (Printable) Vanilla Pudding Recipe + Video Below. Enjoy!
Press plastic wrap down over the top of the pudding to eliminate any contact with air. This ensures the pudding does not create a skin over the top. Then refrigerate until cold.
Once the pudding is cold, scoop it into serving cups and serve it immediately.
Tips & Tricks
- Don’t skip the cornstarch! Yes, it may seem like a lot of cornstarch in this recipe, but that is the only way you will get thick and creamy pudding, so don’t skip it!
- Replace half the white sugar with brown sugar for a deeper, more caramel flavor.
- Whisk, whisk, whisk! While the mixture is heating up, be sure to whisk it constantly so it heats up slowly and the eggs don’t turn into scrambled eggs!
Serving Suggestions
Serve homemade pudding as a quick snack or simple dessert. For a treat that’s more on the fancy side, garnish with whipped cream and vanilla wafers.
This is also a fabulous recipe to make vanilla pudding from scratch to use in cakes and pies! It’s great for Layered Banana Pudding Cake and Banana Pudding Milkshakes, Magic Chocolate Eclair Cake, or any dessert that calls for homemade or instant pudding.
Frequently Asked Questions
Make this recipe with any flavor extract to create fun flavors like coconut, lemon, orange, cotton candy, or peppermint pudding. Use 2 tsp vanilla extract + 1 tsp alternative extract.
Remember, we are using eggs in this recipe to make a silky-smooth vanilla custard. If you cook the eggs too fast, then you can end up with “scrambled eggs,” which will make the pudding lumpy. Make sure to stir the egg mixture constantly while it is heating up and cooking to ensure the eggs don’t turn lumpy!
Yes, this is a gluten-free dessert recipe!
Yes, and yes… However, I don’t recommend using swaps. A pudding without eggs tends not to be as rich and luscious. Similarly, swapping cornstarch with another thickening agent – like flour or potato starch – will alter this vanilla pudding’s beautiful consistency and flavor.
Store in an airtight container and keep in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Looking for More Fabulous Dessert Recipes?
- Easy Orange Curd Recipe
- Mango Pudding (Dairy Free)
- Creamy Lavender Flan
- Swedish Creme Recipe
- Best Easy Carrot Cake
- Easy Banana Pudding Cookies
- Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars
- Easy Apple Crisp Recipe
- Duke’s Hula Pie (Ice Cream Pie)
Homemade Vanilla Pudding Recipe
Video
Ingredients
- 5 cups whole milk
- 5 large egg yolks
- 5 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 ¼ cups granulated sugar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- Optional toppings: whipped cream, vanilla wafers
Instructions
- Set a medium saucepot over medium heat. Add the whole milk, egg yolks, cornstarch, sugar, and salt to the pot. Whisk until well incorporated.
- Bring the mixture to a simmer, this could take 3 to 5 minutes. One simmering, stir consistently for 1-2 minutes while the pudding thickens. It should be fairly thick, but will continue to thicken as it cools.
- Remove from heat and stir in the butter and vanilla. Stir until the butter is fully melted and combined.
- Scoop or pour the pudding into a storage container. Press plastic wrap down over the top of the pudding to eliminate any contact with air. (This ensures the pudding does not create a skin over the top.) Then refrigerate until cold.
- Once the pudding is cold scoop into serving cups and serve cold. Serve as is, or garnish with whipped cream and vanilla wafers.
Looks interesting, I have never done anything like this.
Easy and delicious! Thanks!
Sometimes, there is nothing better than vanilla pudding, especially homemade!! With the nilla wafers on top, this dessert is always a crowd pleaser!
I’m not a big fan of boxed pudding, but this stuff is AMAZING! I served it with fresh berries and we were in heaven!
So creamy and delicious! I love the delicate vanilla flavor of this pudding, it’s great on its own or as a base for other desserts!