Go Back

Easy Homemade Pudding Recipes

Five delightful, beginner-friendly puddings made with simple ingredients and no fancy stress.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Dessert, Snack
Cuisine American
Servings 10 servings
Calories 250 kcal

Ingredients
  

Base Ingredients

  • 10 cups milk Whole milk is creamiest but 2% works too.
  • 1.5 cups sugar Regular white sugar.
  • 12 tablespoons cornstarch Thickener for all puddings.
  • 1 pinch salt Enhances flavor.
  • 4 tablespoons butter Adds richness.
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract Essential for flavor.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Pudding

  • 1/4 cup cocoa powder Unsweetened.
  • 1/3 cup peanut butter Creamy for easy mixing.

Coconut Rice Pudding

  • 1 can full fat coconut milk Provides creaminess.
  • 2 cups cooked rice Leftover rice works beautifully.

Lemon Pudding Cups

  • 1/4 cup lemon juice Adds tanginess.
  • 1 zest lemon For real lemon flavor.

Banana Cream Pudding Parfaits

  • 1 cup vanilla wafers or graham crackers For layering.

Instructions
 

Classic Vanilla Stovetop Pudding

  • In a pot, whisk sugar, cornstarch, and salt. Slowly whisk in milk.
  • Heat on medium, whisking often. When it starts to steam and thicken, keep whisking for 1 to 2 minutes.
  • If using egg yolks, temper them with a little hot pudding, then whisk them back in and cook for 1 minute more.
  • Turn off heat, stir in butter and vanilla. Pour into cups, press plastic wrap directly on top, and chill.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Pudding

  • Whisk cocoa in with the dry ingredients first.
  • When thickened, remove from heat and stir in peanut butter and vanilla until smooth. Chill.

Coconut Rice Pudding

  • Combine cooked rice, coconut milk, milk, sugar, and salt in a pot.
  • Simmer on low, stirring often, until creamy (about 15 to 20 minutes). Stir in vanilla at the end.

Lemon Pudding Cups

  • Prepare as for vanilla pudding, but stir in butter, lemon zest, and lemon juice after turning off heat.

Banana Cream Pudding Parfaits

  • Layer banana slices, pudding, and cookies in a cup or bowl. Chill for 30 minutes.

Notes

For best results, whisk dry ingredients first and keep stirring during cooking. Chill pudding to set, and consider serving with toppings.
Keyword Comfort Food, Easy Dessert, homemade pudding, pudding, quick dessert