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.
Did you make this recipe?
Leave a review below, then snap a picture and tag @thebrowneyedbaker on Instagram so I can see it!
My daughter has made this for years! She has always called it “Chocolate Oatmeal Gooey Things”! Delicious!
That is not instant pudding! It has to be cooked,
Question: do you have to use dry milk or is fresh milk fine?
Thank you so much. I needed a recipe free of additives. I found your mix and it’s perfect. I now will know exactly will be in my pudding. I will share it with friends and family. We need to know how to have clean food.
Can you swap out the corn starch for tapioca starch?
Thank you for putting this together! As to the “instant” vs “cooked” labels….I would use this in recipes, so it would be cooked!
I’ve read the pros/cons of modified cornstarch that is used for instant products, ants would rather not have that ingredient in my foods.
so… pure sugar? lol
It’s good, thank you!!
To make real instant vanilla pudding mix you would need modified starch. The commercial names of modified starches are: Ultra-Tex3, Ultra-Tex4, Ultra-Tex8, Ultra-Sperse 3, Ultra-Sperse M.
Raw cornstarch is not suitable for replacing instant pudding powder. It will not give you the desired consistency when using it to make whipped cream for example, and it will not thicken or stabilize your liquid unless heated to 95C/203F.
Instant pudding powder thickens liquid immediately and at cold temperatures due to the modified starch in it. Cornstarch doesn’t do that.
Could you use this to substitute for vanilla pudding mix in ice cream recipes? I just got a Ninja Creami Deluxe. I don’t know if recipes use instant pudding mix for the stabilizers in the pudding?
This is an amazing recipe. Thank you for your time and trouble. It is instant to me as I will have this on my pantry shelf and it can be put together in an instant. I know what goes into it and that is important to me for my family. Amaze Balls.
This isn’t “instant pudding mix”. It’s a “cooked pudding mix”. Instant pudding involves adding milk, giving it a stir and putting it in the fridge to set.
:(
I omitted the vanilla bean and put the mixture through a quick mix in my Bullet Blender.
I made pudding as directed with a little bit of left over instant coffee and some cocoa powder.
It cooked up really nice. Even though it’s not what I was looking for, I am glad I gave it a try.
THIS is BS. This is NOT frikkin instant. Change the name of this NON INSTANT PUDDING. WASTED 3 minutes of my life I can not get back now 5 since I left a comment.
Take a breath, Mandy.
Wow! What a reaction. Chill girl!
How can I turn this mix to Lemon?
Sorry honey. This ain’t instant. Instant pudding Mesa no cooking. Just as milk, whisk and chill.
Try using guar gum or something similar and it will be instant.
I was making a cake that called for instant pudding mix which I neither had, nor wanted to buy due to all of the ‘mystery’ ingredients in it. Your recipe was just what i needed! Mine was just slightly grainy, but no one noticed except for me. I will use this again! :)
Ugh … as people have commented for YEARS … this is NOT “instant” pudding. And yet the name has not been changed. That’s what happens when bloggers are more interested in getting page hits than actually making proper recipes. I guess unique page hits are more important for the algorithms than people who come back over & over. Whatever.
Can’t wait to try this. I use instant vanilla pudding to my cookie recipe and am tired of always going to the store for it. Thanks for sharing this recipe.
Not “instant” pudding if I have to cook it!
Thank you! This helped in a pinch. God bless you 🙏🏻
I don’t understand so the seeds and bean are used in final product (pudding ) or is it just used in jar to collect flavor
This is not instant pudding. This is like the cook and serve pudding.
I agree, as I just finished reading “Why Instant Pudding Mix is a Pantry Powerhouse” by Food Network Kitchen. In the second paragraph it states, “When combined with a liquid, modified cornstarch will thicken the mixture more quickly than regular cornstarch and doesn’t require heat – it’s the ingredient that puts the “instant” in instant pudding.
Exactly
Why not put in the instructions that 3.5 ounces of mix equals a 3.5 ounce of Jello Instant Pudding. I had to read through many replie before I found the answer. Will try and hope for the best!
“Instant” pudding doesn’t need to be cooked. This is just pudding mix.
After reading the remarks, I made this as a warm pudding. I added boozy, homemade vanilla. Delicious! But, ladies were right, that’s cooked. So then I made the Amish Friendship bread. That recipe calls for 2 small boxes instant vanilla….and it was beautiful. So, I determined this recipe is more than instant. It’s also cook and serve. I sprinkled a touch of cinnamon on top the pudding. Thank you very much, Miss Browneyed baker. Next I’ll use it in my mandarin orange salad. ❤️
What would be the amount of mix used in a recipe that calls for the small box of pudding and what amount would be used for the large box of pudding.
Looking forward to using this “cleaner” version in my cake/bread recipes!
It isn’t instant pudding if you have to cook it.
I get it and not sure why such a fuss..
I’m in Uk wanted a substitute for US Vanilla Pudding Mix as not available in UK. and using ingredients in my cupboard .Was not expecting it be instant if making it myself from scratch . .
Very little iif any nstant food stuffs available without bring manufactured .
Great substitute .
About how much dry mix would you use to substitute a package of instant pudding mix in a cake recipe? 1/2 cup?
I like the versatility of this recipe that I can use that dry in my recipe. One instant is called for. However, I prefer the taste of I cooked pudding so kudos. I do have a question about the sweetener. Have you ever tried it with an alternative natural sweetener? If so, which one and what was the impact on flavor?