ANNONCE
I still remember my Mexican neighbor, Doña Carmen, who never bought boxed mixes. “If you can pronounce every ingredient,” she’d say, “you can trust it.” That stuck with me. One day, when I needed instant pudding for a cake recipe, I decided to follow her example and make my own DIY instant vanilla pudding mix. The result? Better taste, fewer additives, and full control over ingredients.
Why Make Instant Vanilla Pudding Mix at Home?
Store-bought pudding mixes often contain artificial flavors, preservatives, and stabilizers. Homemade pudding mix, on the other hand, uses simple, shelf-stable ingredients:
- No artificial additives
- Customizable flavor and sweetness
- Cheaper in the long run
- Healthier and cleaner (especially if you prefer organic or low-sugar)
Whether you’re baking or craving a creamy dessert, having this mix on hand is a smart move.
Ingredients Needed for instant vanilla pudding recipe
ANNONCE
Here’s what you need to make your own mix:
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ¾ cup cornstarch – the thickener
- ¾ cup dry milk powder – for richness
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 whole vanilla beans – for real flavor
Tip: You can substitute vanilla beans with 1 tablespoon vanilla powder for convenience.
How to Make the instant vanilla pudding
- In a bowl, whisk together sugar, cornstarch, milk powder, and salt.
- Slice open the vanilla beans, scrape out the seeds, and mix them in.
- Cut the vanilla pods and add them to the mixture.
- Store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.
This recipe makes about 5 batches of pudding. It keeps for up to 6 months in the pantry.
How to Prepare the pudding
To make one batch:
- Mix ½ cup pudding mix with 2 cups milk in a saucepan.
- Heat over medium, whisking constantly until it thickens (3–5 minutes).
- Remove from heat and let sit 5 minutes before serving.
For extra flavor, stir in a little butter or a dash of cinnamon while cooking.
Your homemade vanilla pudding mix is incredibly versatile:
- Add to cakes for moisture
- Use in banana pudding or trifles
- Layer into parfaits or icebox desserts
- Stabilize whipped cream for frosting
Final Thoughts
Creating your own DIY instant vanilla pudding mix takes less than 10 minutes, saves money, and delivers a richer, cleaner flavor than store-bought brands. Once you try it, you may never go back to the box.
FAQs about instant vanilla pudding
What can I use instead of instant vanilla pudding mix?
A good instant vanilla pudding mix substitute includes a blend of cornstarch, sugar, dry milk powder, and a bit of vanilla extract or vanilla powder. This mimics the texture and flavor of store-bought mixes like Jell-O instant vanilla pudding. It’s ideal for baking or dessert recipes when a box mix is unavailable.
What are the ingredients in instant vanilla pudding mix?
Typical instant vanilla pudding mix ingredients include sugar, modified cornstarch, salt, natural and artificial flavors, and sometimes coloring or preservatives. Brands like Jell-O instant vanilla pudding may also contain tetrasodium pyrophosphate and monoglycerides for texture.
How to make pudding without mix?
To make pudding without a mix, combine milk, sugar, egg yolks, cornstarch, and vanilla over heat until thickened. This non-instant vanilla pudding mix method is more traditional and offers a richer, homemade flavor compared to boxed varieties.
What makes instant pudding instant?
Instant pudding mix contains pre-gelatinized starch, which thickens without cooking. When mixed with cold milk, it sets quickly, unlike cook-and-serve versions that need heat to activate the starch.
How can I make instant vanilla pudding taste better?
To enhance instant vanilla pudding mix, add real vanilla extract, a pinch of salt, or mix in whipped cream for a lighter texture. Toppings like crushed cookies, banana slices (for banana pudding recipes), or caramel drizzle also boost flavor.
Does evaporated milk work for instant pudding?
Yes, evaporated milk can be used with instant pudding mix, but it results in a thicker, richer texture. You may need to dilute it slightly with water to match the consistency of regular milk.
DIY Instant Vanilla Pudding Mix
Equipment
- Mixing bowl
- Whisk
- Saucepan
- Airtight Container
Ingredients
Pudding Mix
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 0.75 cup cornstarch
- 0.75 cup dry milk powder
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 2 vanilla beans can substitute with 1 tbsp vanilla powder
Instructions
- Whisk together sugar, cornstarch, milk powder, and salt in a bowl.
- Slice vanilla beans, scrape out seeds, and stir them into the mix. Add the pods as well.
- Store the mix in an airtight container in a cool, dry place for up to 6 months.
- To make pudding: mix 1/2 cup of mix with 2 cups milk in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk constantly until it thickens (3–5 minutes). Let rest 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
Also discover our recipe for Terra Massoud Recipe: Easy Homemade , a tasty and nutritious alternative to The Best DIY Instant Vanilla Pudding Mix You’ll Ever Make