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Growing up I ate a lot of instant pudding. It was yummy and simple to make. This easy vanilla pudding from scratch recipe is so delicious and much better than the instant kind.
If you are a fan of desserts and like pudding, give this recipe a try. It does take longer than instant pudding to make, but it is so worth it! Also, you can combine it with some whipped cream to make a yummy pastry cream to fill eclairs or cream puffs.
Homemade easy vanilla pudding is a classic dessert that is sure to impress your pudding loving friends and family. If I can do it, you can do it. Let’s get started!
Step 1: Gather the ingredients
In order to make this easy pudding you just need a handful of simple everyday ingredients:
- Milk – I use whole milk, but 2% and 1% will work as well. Almond milk will work too! But you will use a bit less of it.
- Sugar
- Cornstarch – This will thicken up the pudding.
- Salt
- Butter
- Vanilla extract
Step 2: How to make vanilla pudding
In a small bowl combine the cornstarch, sugar, and salt and whisk them together. You may also use a fork if you like.
Step 3: Heat the milk
Now, add the milk to a medium sauce pot and place it on your burner on the stovetop. Set the heat to medium (350F/176C).
Stir the milk occasionally and heat it up until you see little bubbles form on the edges of the milk.
Step 4: Complete the vanilla pudding
Now add the cornstarch and sugar mixture a little at a time, stirring in between until it dissolves. Repeat this process until it is all incorporated.
Continue stirring and cooking the pudding until it thickens and it coats/sticks to the back of a spoon. This is how you can tell it is finished.
Step 5: Flavor the vanilla pudding
Once the pudding has thickened remove it from the heat and add the butter and vanilla extract. This adds lots of flavor. Stir the ingredients in until the butter melts and they are both well incorporated.
Next, pour the pudding into a few serving bowls and allow it to cool at room temperature for 15 to 30 minutes.
Then cover it with plastic wrap. The plastic wrap will keep the vanilla pudding from forming a layer of skin on the top. Place the pudding in the fridge and allow it to chill for at least an hour before serving.
When you are ready to serve it, remove the plastic wrap and dig in. You can also serve the pudding warm if you like. Enjoy!
If you are a fan of chocolate, you can also make this chocolate pudding if you like.
How long does homemade vanilla pudding last?
If stored covered in the fridge, the pudding will last 5 to 6 days.
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5 from 16 votes
Easy Homemade Vanilla Pudding
If you are a pudding lover, you need to try this from scratch vanilla pudding. It is super easy to make and tastes so much better than instant pudding. If I can do it, you can do it!
Prep Time5 minutes mins
Cook Time10 minutes mins
Cooling time1 hour hr 15 minutes mins
Total Time1 hour hr 30 minutes mins
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: creamy, smooth, sweet
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 223kcal
Author: Matt Taylor
Equipment
pot
spatula or wooden spoon
metal spoon
serving containers
Plastic wrap
Ingredients
- 2 cups of milk whole, 2%, 1% (500ml) Almond milk works too, but only use 1 1/2 cups of it.
- 1/2 cup white granulated sugar 100g
- 3 Tbsp. of cornstarch 23g
- 1/4 tsp. of salt 1g
- 1 Tbsp. of butter 14g
- 1 tsp. of vanilla extract 5ml
Instructions
In a small bowl whisk together the cornstarch, sugar, and salt.
Add the milk to a medium pot and heat it on the stovetop with medium heat until bubbles form on the edges.
Stir in the cornstarch mixture a little at a time until it dissolves completely. Continue stirring and heating the milk until it thickens up and becomes pudding. The way you can tell if it is thick enough is it will stick to the back of a spoon and not fall off easily.
Remove the pudding from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract and butter. Scoop or pour the pudding into serving bowls and allow it cool for 15 minutes or so at room temp. Then cover the bowls with plastic wrap and place in the fridge to chill for at least an hour. Or you can eat the pudding warm. Enjoy!
Video
How to Make Vanilla Pudding | Easy Homemade Vanilla Pudding Recipe
Notes
Tried this recipe?Mention @WPRecipeMaker or tag #wprecipemaker!
Nutrition
Calories: 223kcal
Do you like this recipe? Please give it a rating and comment down below, I really appreciate it.If you make it tag me on Instagram @inthekitchenwithmatt. Also, sign up for the newsletter so you won’t miss out on any of my new posts and recipes.
Here are a few more recipes you may like:
Pan-Fried Asparagus
Easy Sweet Cornbread
Easy Apple Pie
3-Ingredient Fudge
Bacon and Cheese Quiche
Tags
creamy smooth sweet
Matt Taylor
YouTuber and food blogger with a passion for cooking, eating, being outdoors and watching movies. Did you know I wrote an ebook cookbook called "All Things Chocolate: 30 of my favorite chocolate recipes."? Help support the food blog and YouTube channel by buying a copy in my shop. :)
40 Comments
Ruth
January 16, 2022 at 4:14 am·Reply
OMG! Matt you’ve done it again. I’ve made your chocolate pudding several times and sadly only about half makes it to the refrigerator. I made this vanilla version with just 68g of sugar and it was the right amount for my taste. Thanks for a great recipe, Matt. Much appreciated💛
Note: this one seems a little runnier than the chocolate version. I think the cocoa is acting as a starch in the other one. I’ll try adding some more cornstarch next time. I like the consistency of the chocolate version more. Thanks again 😊Matt Taylor
See Alsopeppermint reindeer bark {super easy recipe}Peanut Butter Banana Reese’s Cup Alternative RecipeThese Tasty and Fun Christmas Cookie Recipes Will Even Impress SantaBEST Chocolate Cake Recipe EVER - Chef in TrainingJanuary 16, 2022 at 8:25 am·Reply
Hi Ruth!! So glad you made this and liked it. 🙂 🙂 You can also try cooking it a little bit longer to thicken it up a bit more. But yes, a little more cornstarch will help to get your desired thickness. 🙂
Christopher St James
November 19, 2021 at 7:49 am·Reply
Was there any substitute for the Butter melted in after the heatIng process? I was going to use Cornaby’s E-Z Gel Powder instead of Cornstarch. That works in Cold liquids too instead of Cooking! Thank you. Maybe liquid Coconut Oil?
Matt Taylor
November 19, 2021 at 4:40 pm·Reply
Hi there! I haven’t tried any other substitutes, the butter is mainly just for flavor and can be left out.
Terri G
January 19, 2021 at 7:18 pm·Reply
Absolutely the best vanilla pudding recipie. Walked hibby through the recipe and sent it to him. Now he can make it when I am not home. He said “This was too easy. Your kidding me right?” He kept a small bowl out to try warm. A+++++ ty Matt!Matt Taylor
January 19, 2021 at 7:45 pm·Reply
Thank you, Terri! You are very welcome. Glad he tried it and thought it was easy.
Kristine Nicole Alessandra
September 20, 2020 at 4:36 am·Reply
It looks so easy to make! This is a nice dessert to enjoy. I will follow your recipe to the letter. I can’t wait to try this yummy treat!Matt Taylor
September 20, 2020 at 7:49 am·Reply
Thank you, Kristine!! 🙂
September 18, 2020 at 12:57 am·Reply
I have NEVER had this before, but man, it sounds delicious. I love vanilla too!Matt Taylor
September 18, 2020 at 7:25 am·Reply
Awesome! Give it a try sometime. 🙂
Terri G
January 19, 2021 at 7:16 pm·Reply
Absolutely the best vanilla pudding recipie. Walked hibby through the recipe and sent it to him. Now he can make it when I am not home. He said “This was too easy. Your kidding me right?” He kept a small bowl out to try warm. A+++++ ty Matt!Matt Taylor
January 19, 2021 at 7:44 pm·Reply
That is so awesome, Terri! 🙂 And you are welcome!
September 17, 2020 at 10:11 am·Reply
I have to admit, I have not been brave enough to try homemade pudding. This looks like something I could handle, though!Matt Taylor
September 17, 2020 at 11:03 am·Reply
Definitely try it sometime, it is so easy and super yummy. 🙂
Oh wow! This is such a great pudding recipe. Love that we can make it at home.. can’t wait!Matt Taylor
September 17, 2020 at 7:43 am·Reply
Thank you, Lucy!
September 16, 2020 at 11:46 pm·Reply
I love your Easy Vanilla Pudding recipe. It’s a nice base if you want to add other flavors or just combine it with another dessert. I’ll do it tonight.Matt Taylor
September 17, 2020 at 7:43 am·Reply
Cool, good luck! let me know how it turns out.
Gervin Khan
September 15, 2020 at 8:11 pm·Reply
Such an easy vanilla pudding recipe and I am so excited to make this today for everyone. I’ll go ahead and prepare my ingredients, thanks!Matt Taylor
September 15, 2020 at 9:09 pm·Reply
You are welcome! 🙂
September 15, 2020 at 5:59 pm·Reply
There is nothing better than homemade pudding. I’ve not tried to make vanilla yet. I’m going to try out your recipe!
Matt Taylor
September 15, 2020 at 6:09 pm·Reply
I agree!! Homemade pudding is awesome!
September 15, 2020 at 12:17 pm·Reply
If you know how to make an excellent classic pudding, you are better equipped to change some of the ingredients to your dietary needs. Pudding is still one of those traditional favorites;)
Matt Taylor
September 15, 2020 at 2:12 pm·Reply
Agreed!
September 15, 2020 at 10:22 am·Reply
I love how simple this recipe is! I make homemade pudding all the time, and this one is so quick.Matt Taylor
September 15, 2020 at 2:11 pm·Reply
Thank you!! 🙂
September 15, 2020 at 10:16 am·Reply
I can’t wait to try this recipe. Honestly, before now, when I made “homemade” vanilla pudding, it was Jell-O. LOLMatt Taylor
September 15, 2020 at 2:11 pm·Reply
lol this is so much better than the Jello brand. 🙂
Kim w
July 20, 2020 at 7:07 pm·Reply
Yay! Finally vanilla pudding not from a box that’s easy to make and doesn’t require you to be a rocket scientist.Matt Taylor
July 21, 2020 at 8:12 am·Reply
Thank you, Kim!! 🙂 hahaha yep, no rocket scientist needed.
Julie Blanner
June 1, 2020 at 5:56 pm·Reply
Love this! Never using store bought again. So creamy and delicious!Matt Taylor
June 1, 2020 at 8:06 pm·Reply
Thank you, Julie! 🙂
Lily
June 1, 2020 at 4:44 pm·Reply
I can not believe this is was so simple; never again am I buying vanilla pudding, this tastes amazing.Matt Taylor
June 1, 2020 at 4:53 pm·Reply
Thank you, Lily! I know so simple, right?
Beth
June 1, 2020 at 2:41 pm·Reply
I love this pudding! My picky kids love it too! I will be making this again! Thanks!Matt Taylor
June 1, 2020 at 2:50 pm·Reply
Thank you, Beth! Glad you like it. You are welcome!
Elly Selamat-Hosni
April 30, 2020 at 5:54 am·Reply
Thank you for sharing plenty of recipes that are simple and not as daunting to make. You have a fan in me 🙂 Take good care and hope all is well!
Matt Taylor
April 30, 2020 at 7:43 am·Reply
You are very welcome!! 🙂 🙂
Elly Selamat-Hosni
April 30, 2020 at 5:53 am·Reply
Thank you for sharing plenty of rexipesMatt Taylor
April 30, 2020 at 7:43 am·Reply
You are so very welcome!! 🙂 🙂
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