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    Home » Recipes » Recipes

    5-Minute DIY Vanilla Pudding Mix (For Adding to Cake & Cookie Recipes)

    Published: Aug 28, 2023 · Modified: Jul 7, 2024 by Kelly · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

    Jump to Recipe

    This quick and easy homemade vanilla pudding mix takes just 5 minutes to make and it's the perfect substitute for Instant Jello Pudding Mix when you want to bake cookie or cake recipes that call for using a box of vanilla pudding. Plus, it's made without all of the highly processed and unnatural ingredients you find in most of the store-bought varieties (including unnecessary food dyes, flavorings, and preservatives).

    Instead, this DIY "instant" pudding mix contains just 5 ingredients (and that includes salt). Keep it in a jar in the cupboard for an easy weeknight dessert for the kids, or use it to make that addictive Butter Wine Cake 100% from scratch. Watch the how to make vanilla pudding mix video to see just how easy this recipe is to make. 

    vanilla pudding mix in a widemouth mason jar with 3 sprigs of vanilla bean sticking up from the top.
    A sealed mason jar with vanilla pudding recipe (no eggs).

    Do You Have To Cook This Homemade Vanilla Pudding Mix?

    If you're here because you're looking for an instant pudding mix for the sole purpose of eating homemade pudding on the fly with zero cooking involved, this is not that recipe. You'll need to cook this vanilla pudding mixture with milk for 5 minutes, or so and refrigerate it before enjoying it. That's because there isn't any modified cornstarch or other chemical agent in it that would produce a simple mix-and-serve pudding like Jello Instant Pudding. If a truly instant pudding mix recipe is what you're after, you'll need to replace the cornstarch with Instant ClearJel.

    Also, this pudding mix recipe is not intended to make the most delicious homemade vanilla pudding you've ever eaten. Don't get me wrong, it's pretty good considering it doesn't even have eggs in it. But the main reason I keep this pudding mix in my pantry is to have it on hand for holiday cookie and cake recipes that call for adding a box of instant pudding (like Mr. Bobby's famous wine cake...more about Mr. Bobby's wine cake another time). 

    Homemade vanilla pudding in a pot with sustainable cling film covering the top to prevent a skin from forming.

    Why We LOVE This Easy Homemade Vanilla Pudding Mix

    • Makes the best instant vanilla pudding mix substitute for cake and cookie recipes
    • It's a vanilla pudding without eggs (for anyone with allergies)
    • Uses 4 basic pantry ingredients plus salt
    • It's ready from start to finish in 5 minutes using a whisk and a bowl
    • It's a dessert recipe kids can easily make
    • It uses real vanilla beans, but I provide less expensive substitutes
    • You can adjust how much or how little sugar is added
    • Easily turn this into a vegan homemade vanilla pudding mix with a couple of substitutions
    Homemade vanilla pudding made from homemade vanilla pudding mix.

    DIY Vanilla Pudding Ingredients vs. Jello Pudding Ingredients List

    Instant Jello pudding showed up a few times a year in our house when I was growing up (pistachio being my favorite flavor). Vanilla was typically used to make homemade banana pudding. But these days, it tends to be a little too sweet for my adult tastebuds and it contains 10 out of 11 chemical ingredients that I'd prefer not to be eating.

    Take a look at homemade vanilla pudding mix ingredients versus Instant Jello Pudding ingredients below.

    Biting at the Bits Vanilla Pudding Mix Ingredients List

    Sugar, Cornstarch, Dried Milk Powder, Vanilla Beans, and Salt.

    Instant Jello Pudding Ingredients List

    Sugar, Modified Cornstarch, Contains Less than 2% of Sodium Phosphate, Tetrasodium Pyrophosphate, Salt, Mono- and Diglycerides, Artificial Color, Natural and Artificial Flavor, Yellow 5, Yellow 6.

    eggless vanilla pudding ingredients on a sheet pan.

    Homemade Vanilla Pudding Mix Ingredients (100% Made From Scratch)

    Make easy eggless vanilla pudding mix with just a handful of ingredients.

    For the pudding mix

    • sugar
    • vanilla beans
    • cornstarch
    • dried milk powder
    • salt

    To make the pudding

    • whole milk (or plant-based milk)
    • pure vanilla extract
    • unsalted butter

    Something to consider: You may add more or less sugar than the recipe calls in order to suit your taste preferences and/or lifestyle. If you want a vanilla pudding mix that's as sweet as Jello vanilla pudding, you may want to add ¼ cup (60g) or more sugar to the mix. 

    homemade instant pudding mix

     

    How to Make Homemade Vanilla Pudding Mix -- Measure, Stir & Store. 

    If you've ever wondered how to make pudding without egg or you just need a vanilla pudding mix that you can use as a substitute for instant Jello Pudding in your baked dessert recipes, wonder no more! This pudding mix is really easy to make and it's great to have on hand, especially for your holiday baking needs.

    1. To make the pudding mix. Split and scrape the vanilla bean pods and add the seeds to a large mixing bowl with the sugar and stir well to combine. Cut the vanilla beans into 2-inch pieces and add them to the sugar mixture. Add the cornstarch, milk powder, and salt and stir everything until combined. Use right away, or seal in an airtight container in the pantry for up to 6 months. Enjoy!
    2. To make vanilla pudding. Add ½ cup of pudding mix (including one piece of vanilla bean pod) plus 2 cups of whole milk to a medium pot set over high heat. Bring the mixture to a boil whisking constantly and cook for 5 minutes, or until the mixture thickens and coats the back of a spoon. Remove the vanilla bean pod and then remove the mixture from the heat. Add 2 teaspoons of pure vanilla extract and 1 tablespoon of unsalted butter and whisk until smooth. Cover with sustainable cling film or parchment paper and allow to cool completely. Refrigerate until cold and serve.

    Easy Homemade Vanilla Pudding Mix recipe step-by-step photos

    Two vanilla beans lying on top of sugar in a glass mixing bowl.
    stirring vanilla bean seeds and cut vanilla beans into the sugar using a dessert fork.
    Sugar and vanilla bean mixture in a bowl with a slight golden hue.
    Adding milk powder to the vanilla pudding mix ingredients.
    Adding cornstarch to the instant vanilla pudding mix.
    Adding salt to the homemade pudding mix.
    homemade instant pudding mix
    A sealed mason jar with vanilla pudding recipe (no eggs).

    Watch the Video Below

    When Vanilla Pudding Has Thickened Properly, It Will Coat the Back of a Spoon (Below)

    A spoon coated in a milky white homemade vanilla pudding.
    A spoon covered with homemade vanilla pudding with a swipe through the back of it showing how pudding should coat the back of a spoon when it's thick enough.

    How to Make Homemade Vanilla Pudding Mix Without Cornstarch

    Make homemade vanilla pudding without cornstarch by simply substituting arrowroot in place of the cornstarch in this vanilla pudding recipe.

    How to Store Homemade Vanilla Pudding Mix

    Store vanilla pudding mix in a glass canning jar or other airtight container for up to 6 months.

    What is Instant Pudding Mix Made Of?

    If you've ever wondered what makes instant pudding thicken, the main ingredient is modified cornstarch. Modified cornstarch is a gelatinized cornstarch that allows the mixture to set without needing to heat or cook any ingredients first. There are chemical food dyes, artificial flavorings, and preservatives in most commercial instant puddings as well.

    Can You Add Other Flavors to Homemade Vanilla Pudding Mix?

    Yes, you can add other extracts to vanilla pudding after you've cooked it to impart a different flavor (coconut, strawberry, rum, orange, lemon etc.). You can also add a couple of tablespoons of chopped chocolate to the still-hot pudding mixture to help improve the flavor and texture of this homemade pudding.

    How Many Ounces Are In a Small Box Of Instant Pudding?

    There are slight weight variations between different flavors of Instant Jello Pudding which range from 3.4 to 3.99 ounces (96g-113g) for the small boxes. Whereas the large boxes of instant pudding weigh between 5.1 ounces to 5.4 ounces (145g to 153g) respectively.

    • To substitute 1 small box of Instant Jello Pudding mix which weighs 3.4 to 3.99 ounces (96g to 113g), substitute the same amount of this homemade pudding mix.
    • To substitute 1 large box of Instant Jello Pudding mix which weighs anywhere from 5.1 to 5.4 ounces (145g to 153g), substitute the same amount of this homemade pudding mix.
    vanilla pudding mix in a widemouth mason jar with 3 sprigs of vanilla bean sticking up from the top.

    Looking For a Few Thanksgiving & Christmas Dessert Recipes?

    Below are just a few of our favorite easy holiday desserts to make. If you're trying to get a headstart on baking, these are definite crowdpleasers!

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    Let's get started!

    Print

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    vanilla pudding mix in a widemouth mason jar with 3 sprigs of vanilla bean sticking up from the top.

    Homemade Vanilla Pudding Mix (For Using in Cake & Cookie Recipes)


    5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

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    • Author: Kelly
    • Total Time: 5 minutes
    • Yield: 20 servings
    • Diet: Vegetarian
    Print Recipe

    Description

    This 5-minute quick and easy homemade vanilla pudding mix is the perfect substitute for Instant Jello Pudding Mix when you want to bake cookie or cake recipes that call for using a box of vanilla pudding. Plus, it's made without all of the highly processed and unnatural ingredients you find in most of the store-bought varieties (including unnecessary food dyes, flavorings, and preservatives).


    Ingredients

    Units Scale
    For the pudding mix
    • 1 cup granulated sugar (200g)
    • 2 vanilla beans, split and seeded (grade A or B) (sub 3 teaspoons vanilla bean powder)
    • ¾ cup cornstarch (100g) (sub arrowroot)
    • ¾ cup dried milk powder (100g)
    • 1 teaspoon kosher salt (4g)
    To make the pudding
    • 2 cups whole milk (or plant-based milk) (470g)
    • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract (9g)
    • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter (15g)


    Instructions

    1. To make the pudding mix. Split and scrape the vanilla bean pods and add the seeds to a large mixing bowl with the sugar and stir well to combine. Cut the vanilla beans into 2-inch pieces and add them to the sugar mixture. Add the cornstarch, milk powder, and salt and stir everything until combined. Use right away, or seal in an airtight container in the pantry for up to 6 months. Enjoy!
    2. To make vanilla pudding. Add ½ cup of pudding mix (including one piece of vanilla bean pod) plus 2 cups of whole milk to a medium pot set over high heat. Bring the mixture to a boil whisking constantly and cook for 5 minutes, or until the mixture thickens and coats the back of a spoon. Remove the vanilla bean pod and then remove the mixture from the heat. Add 2 teaspoons of pure vanilla extract and 1 tablespoon of unsalted butter and whisk until smooth. Cover with sustainable cling film or parchment paper and allow to cool completely. Refrigerate until cold and serve.

    Notes

    • You may add more or less sugar than the recipe calls in order to suit your taste preferences. If you want a vanilla pudding mix that's as sweet as Jello vanilla pudding, add ¼ cup (60g) or more sugar to the mix. 
    • If you use regular table salt or sea salt instead of Kosher salt, reduce the amount of salt by ¼ or ½ teaspoon.
    • When using this mix to make vanilla pudding you may omit the butter if you want to cut calories. The pudding won't be as rich in texture or flavor, but it will still fill a sweet craving.
    • For the best flavor, I recommend making pudding 1 to 2 days in advance and stirring or whisking well before serving.
    • For the best pudding texture in an eggless pudding such as this, I recommend re-whisking the pudding until smooth just before serving it.
    • Flavor the pudding in various ways by either adding extracts to the vanilla pudding after you've cooked it to impart a different flavor (i.e. coconut, strawberry, rum, orange, lemon etc.). Or add a couple of tablespoons of chopped chocolate to the still-hot pudding mixture after removing it from the heat. This will help improve the flavor and texture of this homemade pudding.
    • To substitute 1 small box of Instant Jello Pudding mix which weighs 3.4 to 3.99 ounces (96g to 113g), substitute the same amount of this homemade pudding mix.
    • To substitute 1 large box of Instant Jello Pudding mix which weighs anywhere from 5.1 to 5.4 ounces (145g to 153g), substitute the same amount of this homemade pudding mix.

    SUBSTITUTIONS

    • Substitute 3 teaspoons vanilla bean powder for whole vanilla beans.
    • Sub arrowroot 1:1 for the cornstarch if you have allergies to cornstarch.
    • To make this a vegan vanilla pudding mix recipe, substitute coconut flour for the milk powder and substitute non-dairy milk like almond, coconut, or oat milk for regular milk when making vanilla pudding.
    • If you don't have vanilla beans, omit them from the dry mix. When you want to make vanilla pudding simply add 1 tablespoon of pure vanilla extract to the thickened mixture after removing it from the heat. When you want to use the dry mix in baked recipes such as cakes or cookies, add 1 to 2 teaspoons more vanilla extract to the recipe in addition to what's already listed in the ingredients.
    • Prep Time: 5 minutes
    • Category: Desserts
    • Method: Mix & Stir
    • Cuisine: American

    Nutrition

    • Serving Size: 3.4 ounces

    Did you make this recipe?

    Tag @BITINGATTHEBITS on Instagram and hashtag it #BITINGATTHEBITS 

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    Hi, I'm Kelly! A private chef helping busy families cook and enjoy tastier, healthier meals at home. Born and raised in Arkansas, I've lived and worked in NYC, Sichuan China, and now Northeast Italy. Each of these places impacts the diverse way we cook, live, and celebrate life. You'll find a bit of everything here whether you're new to cooking, or you've made it all. If you love to eat, you're in the right place!

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