How to Make Pudding Mix Taste Homemade
Updated: Aug. 08, 2023
With a simple trick or two, it's easy to make pudding mix taste even better. No one will know it was instant pudding!
Instant pudding is a pantry staple you can break out to make all sorts of delectable desserts. While there’s nothing quite like pudding made from scratch, you can tinker with an instant mix to get that same rich texture and taste as the homemade version.
5 Ways to Make Instant Pudding Taste Better
1. Use Evaporated Milk
Replace the regular milk for a can of evaporated milk to make a creamier, more decadent pudding. Not only does it yield a luxurious texture, it dramatically improves the flavor of a pudding mix. For a tropical twist, reach for some canned coconut milk. It’s rich, and the gorgeous taste is ideal for taking your instant pudding from meh to amazing.
If you’re running short on cans, you can always use a substitute for evaporated milk.
2. Add a Little Tipple
Open your liquor cabinet before you break out the mixing bowl. You can add a splash of alcohol to your instant pudding mix and it will rival some of your best from-scratch pudding efforts. Liqueurs like Kahlua, Irish cream and raspberry-flavored Chambord are perfect for the job. Cognac and bourbon also work, especially if you’re working with chocolate or butterscotch mix, and spiced rum is wicked-good with banana pudding.
3. Mix in a Sweet Addition
Sprinkle in chopped nuts, chocolate chips or baking spices like cinnamon or freshly grated nutmeg. Don’t be surprised if folks go back for seconds! And you can always top with sprinkles, too. They make everything more fun!
These same sweet additions can even make brownie mix taste like it’s made from scratch.
4. Add a Topping
Upgrade your instant pudding by layering it with a sweet topping. Put a dollop of whipped cream on top for a creamy taste with minimal effort. Or, place fresh fruit on top for an elaborate display. Use fruits like strawberries, raspberries or sliced banana for the best flavor combos.
5. Let It Chill
If you like your pudding on the thicker side, letting it sit in the refrigerator for a couple of hours can help achieve that goal. Chilling the dessert also creates an easy, go-to dessert for those nights when you want something a little cold and refreshing.
Bonus: How to Make Dairy-Free Instant Pudding
You can make pudding mix work on a dairy-free diet. Just replace the dairy milk with a plant-based alternative, using half the amount of milk called for in the recipe. Because plant milks have a thinner texture, if you use the called-for amount in the recipe, you’ll wind up with thin, runny pudding. Use soy or rice milk for a neutral flavor, but experiment with other nut milks for tasty flavor combos.
Up Next: Use your instant pudding mix as a trick for making cake mix taste homemade.
More Things to Do with Boxed Pudding
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Originally Published: April 13, 2020
