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!
Save This Recipe
Enter your email address, and we'll send it straight to your inbox!
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.
Did you make this recipe?
Leave a review below, then snap a picture and tag @thebrowneyedbaker on Instagram so I can see it!
Fantastic!
Thank you so much for posting this! I’m making a vanilla fruit salad for my best friend’s birthday and the recipe calls for a box of instant vanilla pudding mix, but then I looked at the ingredients on the back of the pudding box and yikes!!!! I would feel so guilty serving all of those dyes. This recipe is so much healthier! Thank you so much!!
For those of you wanting a chocolate version all I do is add squares of high quality 70% dark chocolate to the mix whilst making. Add as little or as much as you like though I recommend you start with a small amount 1st to avoid it being too rich. Cocoa works well also. Start with a tbsp and then if you want it more chocolately then try more next time.
Don’t be afraid to experiment it is sooooo easy.
Can I use vanilla powder instead of vanilla beans?
Hi Marilyn, Sure!
This is super! Can this same mix be made dairy or lactose free and gluten free?
Hi Betty, Hmmm I’m not sure! I haven’t tried playing around with any of those options.
No powdered milk necessary. This is not an instant pudding. I can’t use dairy so I omitted that and it should work fine, except I will use less because of the difference in volume. Maybe a non dairy version would be more adaptable for everyone.
Hello, I have a Pound Cake recipe that calls for 1 package of Jello Vanilla Instant Pudding Mix… Not the Cook N Serve version…
Would I need to add Instant Clear Jel to your recipe to make a homemade version of the Jello mix?
Thanks!
Hi Star, No, you do not need to add any instant clear gel.
Would this be a good substitute for the instant vanilla pudding in your pumpkin gingerbread trifle recipe?
Hi Leah, Yes, definitely!
Hi – I bought whole organic dry milk powder by mistake instead of non-fat – will it work? Will it perform or taste differently in a recipe, I am using this as part of the classic homemade rum cake recipe. I would think you’d want pudding to be rich, and that you’d want the fat in this – this recipe currently has no fat. Any comments from users on this?
Hi Kimberly, I haven’t tried using whole, but I think it would be worth giving it a try.
Thank you so much for posting this. I have been looking for a recipe for this for so long. And I wasn’t clever enough to figure it out. God bless.
How long can I store this for? And where can I store it
Hi Esther, Store in a cool, dry place in an airtight container for up to 6 months.
I was looking at your DIY instant pudding recipe… I too like things from scratch but I am not very inventive in the kitchen. I have a fruit salad that I love but it uses a box of instant cheesecake flavored pudding, what do think would happen if you put a box of cream cheese in your pudding mix while cooking? Would it be cheesecake pudding? I can’t find a cheesecake pudding recipe any where.
Hi Jacalyn, I have not tried to do that so I’m not sure how it would turn out. If you give it a try, let me know how it works!
I did not see this question asked: This recipe-is it equivalent to one small package of the Jello Instant Pudding? I have a cake recipe that calls for the small package and I am not sure I am to use this whole recipe in that or only a portion? If only a portion, how much to equal the small package of Jello Instant Pudding mix?
Hi Vicki, I’m not sure how many ounces a small package is, but 1 cup of this homemade mix is equivalent to a 3.4-ounce package of pudding mix. Hope that helps!
I’m curious which cake recipe the vanilla pudding recipe is used with. Thanks for the wonderful website and recipes. K
When you say vanilla pudding mix, do you mean custard?
Hi Lorna, No, the powder mix that you use to make pudding.
Any chance there is a sub/alternate to the corn starch? I have been looking every for a powdered pudding recipe- but I have an allergy to corn. Thanks!!
Hi Elise, You might want to try something like arrowroot powder or tapioca starch.
What is an alternative to using the Vanilla Beans?
You could use vanilla bean paste.
Hi there, isn’t instant pudding a powder that you don’t have to cook? Would you be able to come up with something you don’t have to put on the stove? Or is it possible to just refrigerate your version only, after you’ve combined everything together?
Thank you
Silvana
Hello. I’ve made cookies with this recipe and they taste really really good. :) I don’t if this sounds dumb or what, but I’ve always cooked the pudding first then just estimate on how it would equal to 3 tbs of dry pudding mix because I think adding milk affects the taste. So I was just wondering if it’s worth the trouble or not? And if I do have to cook it first, how much does for it to equal 3 tbs of dry pudding? Thanks so much for this recipe. :)
Hi Andy, I’m not quite sure I follow the question? If a recipe calls for pudding MIX, then you should not actually make the pudding, you should just use the dry mix.
This sounds great but… if you are a from-scratch person then be fair to people in rural places where from-scratch is sorta the way things are done because of access to prepackaged stuff is limited. The local cashier didn’t recognize a zucchini. :( So. Vanilla beans??? Seriously? I would need to drive four hours to find those. Please give alternates for things that are not common in places that don’t have frou frou stores. What can I use instead of vanilla bean?
Hi Sammie, My apologies, but I lived in a rural area for most of my life and even the small grocery store there carried little bottles of vanilla beans. It is by no means something that is only carried in “frou frou” stores. In the event that your store does not, then you can always order them online.
I love you, although you din’t mention one of the best reasons to avoid instant pudding mix. Dessert shouldn’t have an awful chemical taste. So many recipes require instant flavored pudding mix, including a copycat for Nothing Bundt Cake’s Dark Chocolate and White Chocolate with Raspberry Filling Bundt Cakes. Thank you so much; now I can make them both.
Hi Michelle,
This recipe got me out of trouble many times. I live in Europe, Greece so I find this very useful when I want to adapt american cake recipes that call for Instant Vanilla Pudding Mix.
I see that u said that 1 cup of this mix is equivalent to one 3.4oz box pudding mix. but i measured 3.4oz box mix before and it was way less than one cup. and wouldn’t my batter be more if i used this instead of the 3.4oz box since it don’t measured a cup?
I have downloaded a copy of a pistachio pudding cake that asks for a packet of pisachio instant pudding. I have searched and see it’s a Jell-o dessert which I am unable to get in Western Australia. How would I convert this recipe to make it suit the recipe http://myincrediblerecipes.com/homemade-pistachio-cake-with-whipped-cream-pistachio-frosting/
Pls send reply to my email incase I lose your site
Corallie
Thanks for this! I am doing the same and using up packaged mixes and replacing them with my DIY version to allow me to make scratch recipes that cal for mixes as addins. Can’t wait to see what you do with the mix and how I can use them too. Thanks!!
But….but…this isn’t INSTANT pudding–just plain old cooked cornstarch pudding!
Have any idea how to make strawberry pudding mix from scratch?
I do not, I’ve actually never even heard of strawberry pudding!
You are a genius! This will save me tons of time :)
Its seems great *excited*
but i dnt have vanilla beans….can i use the normal vanilla??
I would not add liquid vanilla to this mixture, but you can add vanilla extract to the prepared pudding as soon as it comes off the stove.
I was wondering ! I need to use a box of strawberry instant pudding in a cake recipe which I can’t find. What other flavor will go with the strawberry cake mix. Maybe vanilla or French vanilla any suggest would really be appreciated.
Debbie