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Homemade Pudding


vanilla pudding made from scratch in glass dish

Homemade Pudding Recipe

Indulge in the ultimate comfort of homemade pudding with today’s best recipe. Whether you prefer classic vanilla, crave the richness of chocolate, or desire the delightful twist of banana, this old-fashioned pudding is made from scratch, offering a rich and creamy texture that’s truly heavenly.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 4 tablespoons Corn Starch (60g)
  • 1 1/2 cups Sugar (300g)
  • 4 cups Milk (946ml) – Regular or 50/50 Evaporated + Water
  • 3 Egg Yolks
  • 1 teaspoon Vanilla (5ml)
  • 3 teaspoons Butter (15g)

Expanded Ingredient Insights

Flavor Profile

  • Corn Starch: Thickens pudding to silky smoothness.
  • Sugar: Adds sweetness and flavor balance.
  • Milk: Base of the pudding—evaporated milk gives it depth.
  • Egg Yolks: Adds body and richness.
  • Vanilla: Classic warm, aromatic dessert note.
  • Butter: Adds luxurious creaminess.

Expert Tips

  1. Whisk Vigorously: Eliminate lumps from the start.
  2. Stir Constantly: Ensures a consistent texture.
  3. Temperature Control: Add yolks before too hot or they’ll scramble.
  4. Customize Flavors: Swap in chocolate or banana for a fun twist.

How to Make Homemade Pudding

  1. In a medium saucepan, whisk corn starch and sugar over medium heat until smooth.
  2. Slowly add the milk, whisking continuously for 2 minutes.
  3. Stir in egg yolks before the mixture becomes too hot. Continue whisking until thickened.
  4. Remove from heat, then add vanilla and butter. Whisk to incorporate.
  5. Pour pudding into serving dishes. Let cool, then refrigerate until set.

For Chocolate Pudding

  • Add 4 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder to the corn starch and sugar mixture before adding milk.

chocolate pudding in glass cup with whipped cream

For Banana Pudding

  • Add 1 teaspoon banana extract with vanilla and butter after cooking.
  • Optional: Layer with bananas, graham crackers, and whipped cream for a Southern-style banana pudding.

banana pudding with sliced bananas and whipped cream

Recipe FAQs

  • Can I make this pudding in advance?
    Absolutely! Make it ahead and chill until serving time.
  • Can I use a different flavoring besides vanilla or banana?
    Yes! Almond, coconut, or hazelnut extracts make exciting alternatives.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Rated 4.9 by 87 readers

homemade chocolate pudding in glass ramekin with chocolate shavings

Homemade Pudding

Yield: 6 servings
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes

Indulge in creamy bliss with our homemade pudding - rich flavors, simple prep. Elevate dessert tonight! #HomemadePudding #DeliciousDesserts

Ingredients

  • 4 tablespoons Corn Starch (60g)
  • 1 1/2 cups Sugar (300g)
  • 4 cups Milk (946ml) (You may use regular Milk, or Canned Evaporated Milk – 473ml Evaporated + 473ml Water)
  • 3 Egg Yolks
  • 1 teaspoon Vanilla (5ml)
  • 3 teaspoons Butter (15g)
  • 4 tablespoons cocoa

Instructions

  1. In a medium saucepan, whisk corn starchm cocoa and sugar over medium heat until smooth.
  2. Add the milk, whisking continuously for 2 minutes.
  3. Add egg yolks before the mixture becomes too hot. Whisk over medium heat until thickened.
  4. Remove from heat, add vanilla and butter, and whisk until incorporated.
  5. Pour the pudding into containers, cool on the counter, then refrigerate. The pudding will thicken further when cooled.

Notes

  1. Whisk Vigorously: Ensure a lump-free mixture by whisking the corn starch and sugar thoroughly.
  2. Stir Constantly: Prevent lumps and achieve the desired thickness by stirring the mixture constantly as it heats.
  3. Temperature Control: Add egg yolks before the mixture gets too hot to avoid scrambling.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 342Total Fat: 7gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 110mgSodium: 97mgCarbohydrates: 63gFiber: 0gSugar: 58gProtein: 7g

The Nutritional Information may not be accurate. This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.

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About Julee Morrison

Julee Morrison is an author and writer with over 35 years of experience in parenting and family recipes. She’s the author of four cookbooks: The Instant Pot College Cookbook, The How-To Cookbook for Teens, The Complete Cookbook for Teens, and The Complete College Cookbook.Available on Amazon,

Her work has appeared in The LA Times, Disney’s Family Fun Magazine, Bon Appétit, Weight Watchers Magazine, All You, Scholastic Parent & Child, and more.

Her article "My Toddler Stood on Elvis' Grave and Scaled Over Boulders to Get to a Dinosaur" appeared on AP News, and her parenting piece “The Sly Way I Cured My Child's Lying Habit” was featured on PopSugar.

Outside of writing, Julee enjoys baking, reading, collecting crystals, and spending time with her family. You can find more of her work at Mommy’s Memorandum.

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