Homemade Vanilla Pudding Recipe {in the microwave}

This super simple microwave pudding recipe can easily be customized to whatever flavor you’re in the mood for ~ vanilla pudding, chocolate pudding, or butterscotch pudding.

Have you ever had homemade pudding?  Not the from-the-box-add-the-milk-and-whip vanilla pudding variety… (Although it’s quite tasty…)

I mean the real deal.

My mom was a pro at making homemade pudding.  It was her “go to” dessert recipe for a simple, quick dessert and has become for us a comfort food tradition.

How to Make Homemade Microwave Vanilla Pudding

Vanilla pudding only takes a few simple ingredients:

• 2 cups milk,
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/3 cup flour,
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Step by Step Instructions for homemade vanilla pudding in the microwave

1. Mix together all  the pudding ingredients while the milk is heating in the microwave.

Place the milk in a microwave safe bowl and place in the microwave for 2 minutes. While it is heating, in a seperate large mixing bowl, mix together the flour, sugar, and eggs.

Once smooth, pour mixture into milk that has been heated slightly in the microwave.

2. Stir the pudding mixture into the milk and heat in the microwave in intervals until it becomes thick, whisking between intervals.

{Remove the metal spoon!}  Place the milk that has been mixed with the rest of the ingredients into the microwave and cook in intervals, stirring in between.  {This is where you have to “wing it” a bit.  My microwave is now 22 years old and is on its last leg.  I cooked mine in 2 minute intervals for a total of 6 minutes.  However, the newer model microwaves cook MUCH faster.  You probably want to try shorter intervals.}

Use a wire whisk to whisk the pudding smooth between intervals.

The pudding will thicken up and look like this when done:

3.Once the pudding has thickened, add in the vanilla extract and stir until combined.

How to serve homemade vanilla pudding

I love to scoop the hot pudding with an ice cream scoop into pretty parfait dishes and serve it hot.

However, it is just as delicious cold. If you want to serve it cold, cover the tops of the scooped out pudding parfaits with plastic wrap that is actually touching the pudding. That will prevent it from getting a “skin” on it.

Then, before serving, remove the plastic wrap and add toppings like whipped cream, chocolate chips, or fresh berries.

Variations for this homemade pudding in the microwave recipe.

This recipe is really fun and easy to adapt to a variety of flavours, too:

• To make chocolate pudding, use white sugar and add 1/3 cup cocoa to the mixture. OR, make vanilla pudding and stir in some chocolate chips when it is hot.
• For butterscotch pudding, use brown sugar instead of white sugar and add 1 tsp vanilla flavouring once cooked.
• For layered chocolate and vanilla pudding parfait desserts. Make a batch of vanilla pudding.  Once cooked, divide the batch into 2 bowlfuls.  In one bowl, add a handful of chocolate chips to the hot pudding.  Stir quickly until melted.  Then layer in parfaits ~ one layer chocolate, then one layer vanilla, etc… until full.  They look very impressive!
• To make peanut butter pudding, (my brother’s favourite) add in a big spoonful of peanut butter to hot vanilla pudding.

How to make this homemade pudding recipe on a stovetop

If you don’t have a microwave, no worries!  I made this for years on the stovetop before my sister-in-law shared this microwave trick with me.  Just remember, heat up the milk slightly first, then add in the pudding mixture. Stir constantly to prevent sticking on the bottom of the pot.

How to use homemade pudding in pies

These pudding varieties can also be used for pies.  Just pour the pudding into a baked pie crust.  Vanilla pudding over sliced bananas makes a divine banana cream pie.

More desserts recipes you may enjoy:

• This steamed pudding recipe can be made in a bundt pan!
• Here’s one of those banana cream pie recipes that uses homemade pudding. You can use this recipe for it if you’d like!
• My Grandma Bernice made this easy strawberry pie recipe that everyone LOVED!
• Moist Vanilla Cake Recipe with Fresh Strawberry Icing
• Need something quick? This caramel apple crisp with pie filling is quick and easy and so very yummy!

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