Name: Instant Pudding Frosting or Filling
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Ingredients: 1 small box Instant pudding mix (must be instant, not cook-and-serve); 1 cup Heavy whipping cream; 1 cup milk (I used 2%)

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This easy pudding mix frosting is made with just 3 ingredients—instant pudding mix, whipping cream, and milk. Light, fluffy, and perfect for cake frosting (or filling!).It spreads like a dream.

The other day, I was sitting around my kitchen table with two friends when one of them casually mentioned she had the BEST, EASIEST frosting recipe to share.

She described it in such great detail that I decided to try it out from memory the very next day! I found it to be exactly as she described – easy, and so delicious, “It tastes like mousse”, she said.

This instant pudding mix frosting is quick, light, and incredibly easy to work with. It spreads beautifully, and can be made the day before and refrigerated. I used vanilla pudding, but the recipe works with any flavor. My kids and grandson who were visiting this past weekend all gave it a seal of approval!

Ingredients You’ll Need for Pudding Mix Frosting

Refer to the printable recipe card for exact measurements and instructions.

Instant pudding powder
Whipping cream
Milk

Instant Pudding Frosting or Filling

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 5 minutes

Instant pudding mix frosting made with real whipping cream—no Cool Whip, no powdered sugar. A simple 3-ingredient recipe that whips up light, creamy, and perfect for cakes.

Ingredients

1 small box Instant pudding mix (must be instant, not cook-and-serve)
1 cup Heavy whipping cream
1 cup milk (I used 2%)

Instructions

For best results, chill your mixing bowl and whisk attachment ahead of time. I place mine in the freezer until cold.
When ready to make the frosting, add the instant pudding mix powder, whipping cream, and milk to the chilled bowl.
Using an electric mixer with the whisk attachment, start mixing on low speed to combine the ingredients.
Gradually increase the speed to high. You may want to drape a dish towel over the bowl to prevent splashing.
Continue mixing until the frosting thickens. You’ll see lines forming in the frosting as the beaters move through it.
When you lift the whisk, the frosting should hold soft peaks and be thick enough to spread easily.
Use immediately or refrigerate until ready to frost your cake.

Notes

I found this was just the right amount of frosting to frost a 2 layer cake that was 9 inches round.

You can use any flavor of instant pudding mix for this recipe.

Watch me make & spread this pudding mix frosting

Step by step instructions for this vanilla pudding frosting

Simply add the pudding mix, whipping cream, and milk to a chilled bowl, then whip until thick, fluffy, and ready to spread.

Tips for Success

Chill the bowl and beaters first – this helps the frosting whip faster and thicken better.
Use an icing spatula for smooth, easy spreading on cakes and cupcakes.
This frosting can be made with any flavor of instant pudding mix.
The texture is light and fluffy, almost mousse-like, and not overly sweet.
This light and fluffy icing can also be used as a filling in a layer cake, or served in bowls as mousse!
It can be made the night before and stored in the refrigerator—perfect for stress-free baking.

Other Frosting Recipes

Buttercream icing for our family favorite vanilla cake for birthdays
Icing with fresh strawberries
Sugar Cookie Frosting
The easiest way to frost cupcakes

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Vanilla Pudding Mix Frosting

Ingredients You’ll Need for Pudding Mix Frosting