10+ Pudding Recipes to Delight Your Sweet Tooth

Pudding is a simple, tasty dessert you can enjoy any time. It comes in all sorts of flavors and styles, so there’s probably one out there for everyone.

You can whip up pudding at home with just a few ingredients and some basic steps.

Whether you crave creamy, fruity, or chocolatey puddings, you’ll find a recipe to try. This guide gives you plenty of ways to make pudding that’ll impress your family and friends.

Ingredients

• Milk
• Sugar
• Butter
• Cornstarch
• Vanilla extract (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Combine ingredients in a saucepan.
2. Heat gently over medium heat, stirring constantly.
3. Cook until thickened, about 5-10 minutes.
4. Remove from heat and let cool before serving.

1) Classic Homemade Vanilla Pudding

You can make a simple vanilla pudding with just a few easy ingredients. It uses milk, sugar, cornstarch, egg yolks, butter, and vanilla extract.

This pudding turns out creamy with a smooth texture. You don’t need any fancy tools, just a whisk and a pot.

Start by mixing your dry ingredients—sugar and cornstarch. Then whisk in the milk and egg yolks.

Cook the mixture on the stove over medium heat, stirring constantly until it thickens. Add butter and vanilla at the end for extra flavor.

It’s perfect on its own or with fruit on top. Try this easy recipe and see how homemade pudding beats the boxed stuff.

Ingredients:

• 3 cups whole milk
• ¾ cup sugar
• 3 tablespoons cornstarch
• 3 egg yolks
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Cooking Instructions:

1. Mix sugar and cornstarch in a pot.
2. Whisk in milk and egg yolks until smooth.
3. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly.
4. When mixture thickens, remove from heat.
5. Stir in butter and vanilla.
6. Let cool before serving.

More on classic vanilla pudding

2) Vegan Chocolate Almond Pudding

You can make creamy vegan chocolate almond pudding in just a few minutes. It uses almond milk, so it stays dairy-free and smooth.

The chocolate flavor comes from cocoa powder and dark chocolate. It’s rich but not too sweet.

This pudding is perfect if you want a plant-based dessert that feels indulgent but isn’t heavy. It’s also quick to make and needs only a handful of ingredients.

Just whisk everything together and let it thicken. That’s it.

You’ll notice the subtle almond taste, too. It’s a great quick treat or something to share with friends.

Ingredients

• 2 cups almond milk
• 1/4 cup cocoa powder
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup dark chocolate, chopped
• 3 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Cooking Instructions

1. In a bowl, mix cornstarch with a little cold almond milk until smooth.
2. Combine the rest of the almond milk, sugar, cocoa powder, and salt in a pot.
3. Heat the pot over medium heat and stir until the mixture is warm.
4. Slowly add the cornstarch mix while stirring continuously.
5. Cook and stir until the pudding thickens, about 5-7 minutes.
6. Remove from heat and stir in the dark chocolate until melted.
7. Pour into bowls and chill for at least 2 hours before serving.

Learn more about making vegan chocolate almond pudding here.

3) Old Fashioned Butterscotch Pudding

Old fashioned butterscotch pudding is all about smooth, creamy comfort. It’s got a warm, rich flavor from brown sugar and butter.

You’ll cook this pudding on the stove with simple ingredients—nothing weird or artificial here. It’s a classic, homemade treat.

Add whipped cream or a pinch of sea salt on top if you want to get a little fancy.

Ingredients

• 1 cup brown sugar
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 2 cups milk
• 3 egg yolks
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Cooking Instructions

1. Combine brown sugar, butter, and half the milk in a saucepan. Heat until butter melts.
2. Whisk egg yolks, cornstarch, salt, and remaining milk in a bowl.
3. Slowly add the warm sugar mixture to the egg mixture, whisking constantly.
4. Pour everything back into the saucepan and cook over medium heat until it thickens.
5. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.
6. Pour into serving dishes and chill before serving.

For a detailed recipe, see this Old Fashioned Butterscotch Pudding.

4) Meyer Lemon Pudding

Meyer lemon pudding is bright and creamy, with a balance of tart and sweet. You can eat it warm or chilled—honestly, both ways are good.

The pudding’s texture is smooth, and the lemon flavor is fresher and less bitter than regular lemons. It comes together fast, usually in about 15 minutes.

You’ll use egg yolks, sugar, milk, and fresh Meyer lemon juice and zest. It’s so easy to prepare, and the taste is worth it.

Ingredients

• 3 large egg yolks
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 1/2 cups whole milk
• 1/4 cup cornstarch
• 1/4 cup Meyer lemon juice
• 1 tsp lemon zest

Cooking Instructions

1. Whisk egg yolks, sugar, and cornstarch in a bowl until smooth.
2. Heat milk in a saucepan over medium heat until just simmering.
3. Slowly pour hot milk into the egg mixture, whisking constantly.
4. Return the mixture to the saucepan and cook over low heat, stirring until thickened.
5. Remove from heat, stir in lemon juice and zest.
6. Pour into serving dishes and chill or serve warm.

For more details, you can check this Meyer Lemon Pudding recipe.

5) Warm Lemon Pudding Cake

Warm lemon pudding cake is a real treat. You get a soft, light cake on top and a tangy, creamy pudding underneath.

When you bake it, the cake and pudding naturally separate. It’s a fun surprise in every spoonful.

This recipe is simple and comes together quickly with just a few ingredients. Sprinkling powdered sugar on top adds a little extra sweetness.

The lemon flavor is bright but not overpowering. Serve it warm with ice cream or whipped cream for something extra special.

Ingredients

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 3/4 cup milk
• 1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
• 4 large eggs, separated
• 1/4 cup butter, melted
• Zest of 1 lemon
• Powdered sugar for dusting (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a bowl, mix flour, sugar, and baking powder.
3. Whisk egg yolks, milk, lemon juice, melted butter, and lemon zest.
4. Stir wet ingredients into dry ingredients until smooth.
5. Beat egg whites until stiff peaks form, then fold them gently into the batter.
6. Pour batter into a greased baking dish.
7. Bake for about 45 minutes until the top is golden and the pudding forms underneath.
8. Let cool slightly, dust with powdered sugar, and serve warm.

For a reliable guide on this recipe, see the Warm Lemon Pudding Cake recipe.

6) Creamy Chocolate Pudding

You can make creamy chocolate pudding at home with just a few ingredients. It’s smooth, rich, and works as a quick dessert.

The pudding thickens as it cooks on the stove, turning silky and delicious. Eat it warm or chilled—whatever you’re in the mood for.

A little butter or vanilla at the end makes the flavor pop. It’s honestly hard to beat homemade chocolate pudding.

Ingredients

• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups whole milk
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract

Cooking Instructions

1. In a saucepan, mix sugar, cocoa, cornstarch, and salt.
2. Gradually add milk while stirring to avoid lumps.
3. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until it thickens.
4. Remove from heat and stir in butter and vanilla.
5. Pour into bowls and chill or serve warm.

For more details, see this Creamy Chocolate Pudding Recipe.

7) Spiced Rice Pudding

Spiced rice pudding is a warm, cozy dessert. You can add cinnamon, cardamom, and cloves for a fragrant twist.

The spices make the pudding smell amazing while it cooks. Cook the rice slowly in milk or coconut milk to make it creamy.

Add vanilla or even a little rose water for extra flavor. This pudding tastes great warm or chilled.

Try stirring in golden raisins for sweetness and texture. It’s simple to make and works any time of year.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup white rice
• 3 cups milk or coconut milk
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 3 cardamom pods (cracked)
• 3 cloves
• 1 vanilla bean pod or 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ⅓ cup sugar
• ⅓ cup golden raisins (optional)

Cooking Instructions:

1. Rinse the rice under cold water.
2. In a pot, combine milk, cinnamon stick, cardamom pods, cloves, and vanilla bean. Heat on medium until warm.
3. Add rice and sugar. Stir well.
4. Simmer gently, stirring often, for 30-40 minutes until rice is soft and pudding thickens.
5. Remove spices and vanilla bean. Stir in raisins if using.
6. Serve warm or refrigerate and serve cold.

8) Banana Pudding with Vanilla Wafers

Banana pudding with vanilla wafers is a classic, simple dessert that works any time of year. You layer slices of sweet bananas with creamy pudding and those crisp vanilla wafers.

You can use instant vanilla pudding if you’re in a hurry, or make your own custard if you’re feeling fancy. Just keep stacking bananas, pudding, and wafers until the dish is full.

Let it chill in the fridge for a few hours so the flavors blend and the wafers get a little soft. That’s when it hits the sweet spot.

If you want, add some whipped cream on top. You could even swap in a different pudding flavor if you’re feeling adventurous.

Ingredients

• 3 ripe bananas, sliced
• 1 box vanilla instant pudding mix
• 2 cups cold milk
• 1 container whipped topping or fresh whipped cream
• 1 package vanilla wafers

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix the pudding mix and cold milk in a bowl until it thickens.
2. Layer vanilla wafers on the bottom of your serving dish.
3. Add banana slices over the wafers.
4. Pour pudding over the bananas.
5. Repeat the layers until the dish is full, finishing with pudding on top.
6. Spread whipped topping over everything.
7. Chill for at least 2 hours before serving.

For more details, check this banana pudding recipe with vanilla wafers.

9) No-Bake Chocolate Tart

This no-bake chocolate tart is honestly a lifesaver when you don’t want to mess with the oven. It’s got a crunchy Oreo crust and a creamy chocolate filling that uses both milk and dark chocolate.

Top it with fresh berries if you want something bright and juicy. The tart needs a few hours in the fridge to set, so plan ahead.

You can keep leftovers in the fridge for a few days, and honestly, it tastes even better after sitting overnight. The crust comes together by crushing Oreos and mixing them with melted butter.

For the filling, just make a simple chocolate ganache and pour it in. It firms up as it chills.

Ingredients

• 24 Oreo cookies
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 8 ounces dark chocolate, chopped
• 4 ounces milk chocolate, chopped
• 1 cup heavy cream
• Fresh berries for topping (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Crush the Oreos into fine crumbs.
2. Mix crumbs with melted butter.
3. Press the mixture into a tart pan for the crust.
4. Chill the crust in the fridge for 15 minutes.
5. Heat the cream until it’s just boiling, then pour over the chopped chocolates.
6. Stir until everything’s smooth and glossy.
7. Pour the ganache into the crust and smooth the top.
8. Chill the tart for at least 3 hours.
9. Add berries before serving if you’re into that.

For more details, you can check a no-bake chocolate tart recipe.

10) Rich & Creamy Butter Pudding

Butter pudding is one of those desserts that just feels like comfort food. It’s smooth, creamy, and comes together with ingredients you probably already have.

You’ll cook the mixture on the stove until it thickens up. Then, pop it in the fridge to chill.

Add fruit or nuts on top if you want to dress it up a little. It’s a good pick when you want something easy but still crave that rich, homemade taste.

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp custard powder
• 3 tbsp butter
• 2 cups milk
• 3 tbsp sugar
• Agar powder (optional for firmness)

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix the custard powder with just a splash of milk until you get a smooth paste.

2. In a separate pan, heat up the rest of the milk. Toss in the sugar and butter.

3. Stir the custard paste into the hot milk mixture. Keep cooking until it thickens up nicely.

4. If you’re using agar, add it now. Pour everything into serving dishes.

5. Let it cool down to room temperature. Pop it in the fridge and chill before serving.

Want a closer look? Check out the detailed recipe for Rich & Creamy Butter Pudding on YouTube.