Description
This classic vanilla pudding recipe is a creamy, smooth dessert made from scratch with whole milk, egg yolks, and pure vanilla extract. Easy to prepare and perfect for a comforting treat, it features a rich texture with a delicate vanilla flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
Milk Mixture
- 2¾ cups whole milk
Dry Ingredients
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup cornstarch
- ¼ tsp salt
Eggs and Flavoring
- 3 large egg yolks
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 tbsp pure vanilla extract
Instructions
- Heat the milk: In a medium saucepan, warm 2 cups of the whole milk over medium heat until steaming but not boiling. This prepares the milk for combining with the other ingredients.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar, cornstarch, and salt. Add the remaining ¾ cup of cold milk to this mixture and whisk until smooth and free of lumps.
- Temper the eggs: Whisk the egg yolks into the cornstarch mixture thoroughly. Slowly pour the warm milk into this mixture while whisking constantly to prevent the egg yolks from curdling and ensure a smooth pudding base.
- Cook the pudding: Return the combined mixture to the saucepan and cook over medium heat. Stir constantly using a whisk until the pudding thickens and just starts to bubble, approximately 4 to 6 minutes. This step cooks the cornstarch and eggs to form the pudding’s creamy texture.
- Finish the pudding: Remove the saucepan from heat and immediately whisk in the unsalted butter and pure vanilla extract. Stir until the butter melts completely and the pudding is smooth and well combined.
- Chill: Transfer the pudding into serving cups. Cover the surface directly with plastic wrap to prevent a skin from forming. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours until fully chilled and set before serving.
Notes
- Use fresh eggs to avoid any off flavors or texture issues.
- Stir continuously during cooking to prevent lumps and scorching.
- Covering pudding with plastic wrap directly on the surface prevents an undesirable skin from forming while chilling.
- For richer flavor, you can substitute half the whole milk with heavy cream.
- Vanilla extract can be replaced with a vanilla bean for an even more aromatic pudding.
