DIY Instant Vanilla Pudding Mix
Confession time. I really love the idea of making as much as possible from scratch. Not only do I know exactly what is in something, but 99.9% of the time, the homemade version contains significantly less processed ingredients (and usually none at all). From body scrubs to taco seasoning mix and hot chocolate mix, I’ve been working on transforming the convenience packages for homemade versions. The truth is, that the from-scratch versions of these things take literally minutes to make and are infinitely cheaper, not to mention healthier.
My search for a DIY instant pudding mix spun off of my search for a from-scratch version of a favorite family cake. The problem? The “recipe” was basically a box cake mix with a box of instant pudding and a few other ingredients. I knew I wanted to make the cake from scratch, but boy does that box of pudding do wonders to a cake, right? Makes it so moist and melt-in-your-mouth fantastic. I needed to somehow mimic those characteristics, when lo and behold, I actually found a formula for instant pudding mix!
Whether you want to make a cake that calls for pudding mix, banana pudding, an icebox cake or lush dessert, you’re going to love this DIY hack!
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I was able to throw this together in 5 minutes, and now I have a stash of instant pudding for whenever I see a recipe that calls for a mix. Not only do I not have to run to the store, but I can keep from-scratch recipes just that.
In addition to using it in your own recipes, this would make a great gift for the holidays. Maybe a basket of this, some homemade cocoa mix, homemade vanilla extract, and other goodies. I am working on a chocolate version as well, so stay tuned!
Now just wait until you see what I have up my sleeve. I think you’re going to love the cake that I used this mix in! It’s an oldie but a goodie, and reinvented to be completely homemade. Be sure to check back tomorrow!
If You Like This Instant Vanilla Pudding Mix, Try These Recipes:
- Banana Pudding
- Chocolate Pudding Recipe
- Best Butterscotch Pudding
- Pineapple Icebox Cake
- Grandma’s Icebox Cake
One year ago: Deviled Eggs
Three years ago: Pigu (Italian Gougeres)
DIY Instant Vanilla Pudding Mix
Ingredients
- 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
- ¾ cup (96 g) cornstarch
- ¾ cup (96 g) nonfat dry milk powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 whole vanilla beans
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the sugar, cornstarch, milk powder, and salt; set aside.
- Split open the vanilla beans and use the back of a knife to scrape out the seeds. Add the seeds to the sugar mixture, and again whisk well to evenly combine, using a fork or the back of the spoon to break up any chunks of vanilla bean seeds. Cut the empty vanilla bean pods into two or three pieces each.
- Place the vanilla bean pieces into an airtight container or jar, and add the sugar mixture. Seal it, and then give it a few good shakes to distribute the vanilla bean pieces evenly. Store in a cool, dry place.
- To make pudding: Combine 2 cups of milk with ½ cup of the instant pudding mix in a medium saucepan over high heat, whisking constantly. Bring to a boil, and then immediately reduce the heat to a simmer and continue whisking until the mixture thickens and coats the back of a spoon (about 3 to 5 minutes). Let sit for at least 5 minutes before serving. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
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Hi, I got a silly question to ask. Is it the milk powder for baking or the kind that we can mix with water to drink?
Hi Linda, It’s the same thing, there isn’t a special version for baking.
Thanks so much! I can’t wait to try this out!!
I wonder if anyone has made a sugar free version of this and if so what’s the sweetner measurement? I’d love to make up a jar or 2 of this ahead of time before I have gastric bypass surgery since pudding is in the postop diet. Ideas anyone?
TIA
Tricia
Hi, I just made a batch of the pudding from this mix, and the flavor was perfect, but it got very lumpy as it cooled. Any ideas on how I can prevent this next time? Thanks!
I appreciate your thoughts on getting rid of processed ingredients however GMO ingredients are just as bad and if you aren’t using organic corn starch this is a recipe for disaster as corn starch is one of the absolute WORST ingredients you can use
i have a question, could i use vanilla sugar instead? its hard to find vanilla beans where i live and if i do find…they would be quite expensive!
thank you! and i cant wait to try them!
Hi Christine, Yes, definitely!
I have been wanting to try the rum cake recipe. Unfortunately, I can’t get non fat dry milk. Can I substitute skimmed milk powder instead? Will this work just as well?
Hi Marie, I think that would work just fine.
Thanks!
Hi Michelle,
I apologize if this question was answered above but I didn’t see it as I was scrolling through the comments. I was wondering if this can be used in place of boxed instant pudding in cake and cookie recipes. I know that it isn’t technically “instant” so I wasn’t sure if it would work the same in a recipe.
Thanks,
Teri
Hi Teri, Yes! I actually use it in my homemade rum cake.
Can I use Vanilla Bean POWDER instead of whole beans that stay in the jar? How much powder would I use? (My daughter is just learning to cook/bake and I don’t want to risk a ruined dish (she is quite sensitive) if I forget to tell her not to use the beans/shells.)
Hi Regina, I am not familiar with vanilla bean powder (only use extract, paste or whole beans). It sounds like something you could use, but I am not sure how much. I would check the jar to see if it has a conversion – one vanilla bean is equivalent to about 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract.
I just made this – and since I do not have vanilla beans, I just added a tsp. of lemon extract to the pot, and YUM!
i tried this recipe but not to make pudding… tried it with cake recipe that calls for instant pudding mix. I did substitute the corn starch and used 1/2 tapioca starch and 1/2 arrowroot. I’m not sure if that was my error or the amount i used. Can you tell me how much of this recipe for a small box of instant pudding mix? think maybe I used too much. I used 1/4 of this recipe. but my cake got very dense and way less moist than it usually gets. (i also used a homemade recipe for yellow cake mix rather than a boxed cake mix too, so my problem could’ve been with that too) thoughts?
Hi Kathy, With all of the different substitutions, it would be very difficult to nail down what might have caused your cake not to turn out. A small box of pudding mix 3.4 ounces. I have not weighed this out to see how many “packages” of that size would be in this recipe.
and why do you use non fat? an i use whole fat?
Hi Joyce, Most of the recipes I saw for this used non-fat milk powder; it is the most widely available. I think you could use whole fat without an issue, but I haven’t tried it.
can i use this in a cinnamon roll recipe that calls for “1/2 (3.4 ounce) package instant vanilla pudding mix”??
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/cinnamon-rolls-iii/detail.aspx?src=VD_Summary
thank you very much!
Hi Joyce, Yes, definitely!
simply you are amazing ……i`m addicted to DIYs thanks for sharing this lovely recipe :*
I am lactose intolerance, and thus often avoid recipe that contain vanilla pudding (or use almond meal as substitute). I am glad to find this recipe. I just wonder if I can make it with soy milk powder.
Thank you! Any suggestions for how to make candy cane pudding mix? Jello brand had one out last year and they discontinued it but would love to make some recipes with it. Open to suggestions…
Hi Rejena, How about adding crushed up candy canes to the mixture? Use a food processor or put them in a ziploc bag and use a rolling pin to crush them into a powder.
Was the chocolate version of this recipe ever born?? I can’t find it…
Hi Jen, It has not, yet.
Thank you for posting this homemade vanilla pudding recipe,. I have a recipe for a layered pineapple cream cheese dessert that calls for vanilla pudding which I cannot always find easily in Trinidad & Tobago.
I will definitely be trying your rum cake as well as I have been looking for a recipe from scratch.
Giz
Can I replace the cornstarch with another kind of starch, and if so, what? I’m allergic to corn and it’s EVERYWHERE :(
Hi Michelle, While I’m not familiar with corn substitutes, I imagine another type of starch would work – maybe a potato or rice starch?
This recipe looks great for making vanilla pudding and easy enough to make organic; however, I do not see that it can be considered instant, as the mix requires cooking. This is significant for something like a whiskey cake that is made in a spring-form pan–instant allows the cake batter to thicken enough to not leak through and teeny-tiny spaces in the pan. Using a pudding that requires cooking does not thicken the batter enough. The texture of the cake will be fine, so beware if the directions call for a springform [bundt] cake pan.
I know this post is old, but I’ve had it bookmarked on pinterest for what seems like ever. I finally made it today and I have to say WOW it’s phenomenal!!! I’ll never buy vanilla pudding mix again. Thanks so much for sharing!!!!!
Thank you for that. Sourcing instant pudding in the UK can be a bit hit and miss! Now I can have rum cake whenever I want (everyday :) )
It’s not instant if you have to cook it.
this is not instant. you have to cook this and instant is non cooking.
LOL, I didn’t even see your post when I posted mine. I think putting clear gelatin powder in the mix would make it instant.
I tried this recipe and loved it. We’ve been craving coconut pudding so I just added shaved coconut to the pudding after it had boiled, and cool a little. I stirred in the amount that looked right, and then omitted the vanilla and added coconut extract until it tasted right. I would not add any extracts until the pudding has boiled and cooled a bit–it seems to burn off the flavor. But honestly, we loved it and can’t wait to try other flavors. Thank you for the idea <3 <3 <3
Sounds like a great recipe. I’ve been looking for a homemade pudding recipe as my daughter has many food allergies so the boxed kind is off limits for us.
I didn’t get through all the comments so maybe this was already asked and answered but can the cornstarch be substituted with anything else? My daughter is allergic to corn? Thanks in advance.
Hi Lisa, You might be able to try something like ground instant tapioca, which is a natural thickener.
I was very disappointed with this recipe; as my pudding did not thicken.
Can your instant pudding mix be added dry to whipping cream since it has constarch in it? recipe calls for adding instant dry folded into beaten whipped cream. do not want to use artificial/preservative filled brand from grocery.
Hi Carol, I think you could do that. Let me know how it turns out.
I have recipe that calls for lemon pudding mix…..any suggestion on how to make this lemon flavored instead of vanilla???
Hi Val, I would rub some lemon zest into the mixture and omit the vanilla bean. The amount would be dependent on how strong of a lemon scent you’d like.
When cooking simple syrups, I use long strands of lemon peel instead of vanilla beans. That way you get the lemon flavor, but still have a smooth and creamy pudding. I think the same method could be used here as well.
I used this (7 tbsp.) in my rum cake this weekend as I could not locate the Jello brand in the grocery. I will NEVER use store bought instant pudding mix again!! My cake was moist and delicious! Tonnes of compliments. Thanks for saving Father’s day.
Did you ever create a chocolate version? Chocolate is my favorite.
I did not yet. I need to work on that!