Easy Homemade Vanilla Pudding

Rich, creamy and sweet, Homemade Vanilla Pudding is the epitome of comfort food. So simple to make with just cream, butter, vanilla, sugar and cornstarch, you’ll never reach for the instant stuff again. Fantastic for an every day treat but elegant enough for entertaining.

One of the first things I ever learned to make was vanilla pudding. It’s so simple, especially when you buy a package of instant pudding mix, you, literally, have dessert in a matter of minutes. I always preferred the stovetop instant pudding over the “mix and stir” variety, there was something about the whole process of steaming the milk and then whisking in the powder that made me feel totally like a culinary wizard even at the ripe old age of 8.

Homemade Vanilla Pudding isn’t that much more difficult to make and once you make your first batch I can guarantee you’ll never buy it in a box of vanilla pudding mix again.

I love the first bite of the pudding, atill warm from the saucepan, like a sweet custard that was supposed to be filling a pie or a mountain of cream puffs. But I could eat it out of the bowl, just with a spoon, and enjoy everything about that simple dessert without the mess of a pie crust or pastry getting in the way. 

How To Make Vanilla Pudding From Scratch

Homemade pudding is made without whole eggs because eggs are typically used in a custard or creme brûlée. This pudding is thickened with cornstarch keeping it light and creamy but still rich.

1. In a medium saucepan, simmer the half and half, or milk, over medium heat.
2. Stir the sugar and vanilla into the hot milk mixture.
3. Cook until the sugar is dissolved.
4. Stir in the butter.
5. Whisk the cornstarch with the remaining half and half.
6. Add the cornstarch mixture to the pudding stirring with a rubber spatula and scraping the bottom of the pan to avoid scorching.
7. Reduce to low heat. Continue cooking until the mixture had thickened.
8. Cover with plastic wrap with the plastic wrap touching the surface of the pudding to prevent a skin from forming and refrigerate for 2 hours.
9. Serve with stroopwafels, pizzelles or use for your favorite recipes. I like to spoon into individual serving bowls for perfect portioned treats topped with fresh berries.

This recipe for the Best Vanilla Pudding takes less than 15 minutes to make, about the same time it would take you to make it from the pudding mixes. The instant vanilla pudding is filled with preservatives and additives that I can’t even pronounce.

And you’ll save some money too because I bet you have everything you need to make this Vanilla Pudding right in your kitchen. The rich, cream is studded with vanilla bean flecks and is smooth like a pudding should be. One spoonful of this and you’ll never buy it in the box again.

Pro Tips and Substitutions

• Dairy – I used half and half for this recipe but you can use heavy cream for an ultra rich pudding or whole milk. Need a dairy free vanilla pudding, substitute the half and half with coconut milk or almond milk.
• Thickener – Cornstarch is used as a thickening agent but you can easily substitute with flour, arrowroot powder or Tapioca flour.
• Eggs – There are no eggs used in this recipe but for richness you can stir in one egg yolk along with the butter. This step will add a more yellow hue to your pudding, as well.
• Stir – Don’t stop stirring or whisking your pudding while cooking so the bottom of the pot doesn’t burn. You need to keep the dairy in constant motion to avoid scalding.

Be sure to use the best quality ingredients you can get your hands on. I love Vanilla Bean Paste for the pure vanilla flavor and gorgeous flecks. And I always use a European style butter for added richness.

The Very Best Vanilla Pudding would be fabulous with a little of this caramel sauce stirred in or alongside a stack of THESE chocolate chip cookies. 

More Easy Pudding Recipes

If you love this vanilla pudding, you may also like this Homemade Chocolate Pudding….it’s just as simple to make with the same richness and creamy factor. Also, be sure to try this Butterscotch Pudding….it’s amazing or my grandfather’s Rice Pudding. OMG…delish.

Want to take it up a notch? This Banana Pudding recipe is a classic and so, so easy. You can even use this vanilla pudding for the base….win, win, win!

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