Homemade Vanilla Pudding | The Raw Recipe

By admin On Oct 11, 2022

By
On October 6, 2022

If you’re looking for a tried-and-true vanilla pudding recipe, this is it! This homemade vanilla pudding is perfectly sweet, silky and really easy to make!

When you’re craving something sweet, nothing is as satisfying as a creamy homemade pudding! Then try this Homemade Tapioca Pudding, Rice Pudding, or Banana Magnolia Bakery Pudding!

The best homemade vanilla pudding recipe

I admit, one of my guilty pleasures is snacking on those little cups of pudding you buy at the store. I always have them for my kids’ lunches, but I end up eating them when I’m craving something sweet. Today we’re ditching pudding cups and doing something a million times better. A good old batch of creamy and delicious homemade vanilla pudding. If you’ve never tried making it from scratch, here’s your sign for it! It’s so easy and will knock your socks off with its smooth texture and sweet flavor.

This homemade vanilla pudding is amazing on its own or served with berries, cookies or chopped nuts! This is a classic dessert that will have the whole family coming back for more. As simple as it sounds, it’s so irresistible! Vanilla is a very underrated dessert flavor and deserves more love! These vanilla cupcakes and vanilla fudge are a few extra sweets you’ll want to add to your dessert lineup.

Ingredients you will need

Considering how simple these ingredients are, you probably have everything you need to make yourself a batch of vanilla pudding in your pantry. at present! The measurements for each ingredient can be found below in the recipe card. You will love the flavor and silky texture of these ingredients.

Sugar: Granulated sugar adds sweetness to your pudding.
Cornstarch: Cornstarch acts as a thickening agent to create the perfect texture. You can also use all-purpose flour as a substitute.
Salt: You only need a pinch to enhance the overall flavor of the pudding.
Whole milk: The fat content of whole milk gives the pudding a creamier texture.
Egg yolks: Add creaminess and help ingredients bind together.
Butter without salt: A must for a rich and deliciously creamy vanilla pudding!
Vanilla extract: Since vanilla is the main flavor here, I recommend using pure vanilla extract for best results!

Collage of 3 photos of pudding ingredients whipped together and cooked.

How to make homemade vanilla pudding

Trust me, it’s as easy as making store bought pudding mix! (Save your box of instant pudding mix for these amazing chocolate chip cookies!) One thing to keep in mind is that this homemade vanilla pudding needs a long time to cool, so it’s not not the best dessert to make if you need something last minute!

Mix the ingredients together: Combine sugar, cornstarch and salt in a medium, heavy-bottomed saucepan. Whisk milk and egg yolks.
To cook: Heat over medium heat, whisking constantly, until mixture thickens and bubbles, about 5-8 minutes. Once thickened, continue cooking for an additional 1-2 minutes while whisking constantly.
Add butter and vanilla extract: Remove from the heat and stir in the butter and vanilla. Pour into a heatproof container and press a layer of plastic wrap over the top of the pudding, making sure the plastic wrap comes in contact with all of this to prevent a film forming as it cools.
Coldness: Refrigerate for 4 hours or overnight.
Serve: Before serving, stir the pudding well. Transfer to serving bowls, if desired. Top with toppings of your choice. I always like to serve it with fresh berries and Nilla wafers!

Vanilla pudding served in small glass cups topped with sliced strawberries and cookies.

Additional tips and tricks

Keep these simple tips in mind with your next batch of homemade vanilla pudding and you’ll be baking like a pro!

Mix, mix, mix! Whisk constantly during the fire to prevent the eggs and milk from burning.
Let your pudding thicken: Once the mixture begins to bubble, be sure to continue cooking for a minute or two to ensure the pudding thickens properly. Undercooked pudding will become soupy.
Cover with plastic wrap: Press the plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the pudding (be careful, it’s going to be hot!) to prevent a film from forming on it as it cools. Once it’s completely cooled, it won’t need the plastic wrap directly over it.
The best vanilla flavor: High quality vanilla will give your pudding a richer flavor! If you’re feeling adventurous, add a little vanilla bean paste or the caviar from inside a vanilla bean.
Garnish ideas: Sliced strawberries, sliced bananas, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, granola, mini chocolate chips, shredded coconut, nilla wafers and graham crackers are just a few of my many favorites ! The possibilities are limitless. If you really want to make your pudding indulgent, try a drizzle of chocolate sauce or caramel on top!

Top down view of vanilla pudding in a hollow glass cup with a golden spoon.

Storing leftover pudding

The best thing about making a big batch of homemade vanilla pudding is that you can store it in the fridge and enjoy it for days!

In the refrigerator: Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

Top down view of vanilla pudding in a glass mug, topped with a sliced strawberry and Nilla Wafer.

To print