Homemade Vanilla Pudding

Homemade Vanilla Pudding (our family calls it Jackie's Pudding) doesn't have to be hard to make. And it is OH! So good!

Love, love, love this Homemade Vanilla Pudding (Jackie's Pudding)!

Homemade Vanilla Pudding (Jackie's Pudding)

Don here telling you about our family's delicious Homemade Vanilla Pudding (AKA Jackie's Pudding). I'm reposting the recipe because Sunday is Valentine's Day, and this is such a beautiful, scrumptious dessert. This pudding is a creamy, not-too-sweet homemade pudding that you cook slowly on top of the stove. It is easy, but you have to stir it constantly until it thickens to the right consistency. Serve it alone or with berries and whipped cream.

It's also good in a pie. Step by step instructions in the recipe practically insure no curdling. Comfort food with a healthy twist (in this case, the healthy part is limiting the amount you eat!). For more information about the history of this recipe, scroll to the bottom of the post.

What You Need

Equipment you will need includes a heavy bottom sauce pan or double boiler (affiliate link), wooden spoon, measuring cups, measuring spoons, serving bowls or ramekins (or a pie plate if you are using it for a pie) and plastic wrap. But what you really want is a great coffee maker or espresso machine and some beautiful dinnerware (affiliate link), am I right?

Homemade Vanilla Pudding (Jackie's Pudding) Recipe

Homemade Vanilla Pudding (Jackie's Pudding)

Recipe Idea Shop/Don Crawford based on Fannie's recipe

The best vanilla custard you're ever gonna make.

5 from 1 vote

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Prep Time 5 mins

Cook Time 20 mins

Total Time 25 mins

Course Dessert, pudding

Cuisine American

Servings 4

Calories 162 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 2 cups cold milk use almond milk or coconut milk to avoid dairy
• 1 heaping tablespoon cornstarch
• 1 large egg beaten
• ⅓ cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

Instructions

 

If You Want To Make Pudding (Not Pie)

• You can make this in a heavy bottom pot directly over the fire if you want to watch it closely and stir it continuously. Otherwise a double boiler works. Takes a bit longer but is more forgiving if you don’t stir often enough.
• Put the cornstarch in the pan and add the milk. Stir until the cornstarch is dissolved.
• In a separate dish mix the egg and sugar. Set aside.
• Begin heating the milk/cornstarch mixture over low heat.
• Then as the milk and cornstarch mixture heats up, gradually raise the heat to medium or medium high, stirring all the while.
• When the milk mixture is about 100°F, add a couple of tablespoons of hot milk to the egg-sugar mixture; then stir this mixture into the pot.
• Continue heating, stirring constantly until the pudding boils.
• Reduce the heat and continue cooking and stirring for several minutes until the pudding thickens.
• Stir in the vanilla.
• Pour the hot pudding into ramekins.
• Place a piece of plastic wrap directly on the top of the pudding to prevent a film from forming.
• Let cool to room temperature; then refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving.
• Top with berries, or fruit syrup. Serve with a shortbread cookie.

If You Want To Make Pie

• Use 1½ cup milk and 2 egg yolks. (Reserve the egg whites for meringue to top the pie.)
• Cook the same as above and pour into a baked pie crust.
• Cover directly with plastic wrap and chill for 2 hours.
• Top with Meringue and serve with berries, sliced fresh peaches or slices of poached pears.

Nutrition

Serving: 1/2 cupCalories: 162kcal

Keyword homemade vanilla pudding

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Recipe Nutrition Information

This recipe is GF, NF, SF, V*

The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist's advice.

Homemade Vanilla Pudding (AKA Jackie's Pudding) Nutrition Label. Each serving is about ½ cup.

Nourish Your Body & Soul

I encourage you to care of yourself by eating satisfying, nourishing food that is good for your body and makes you feel healthy. Protect your spirit by living authentically, moving your body, and taking time to replenish and rest. I think you might also like these recipes & posts from Recipe Idea Shop:

• Lemon Meringue Pie 
• Traditional Pie Crust
• South Beach Lemon Ricotta Creme
• Coconut Cream Pie
• Chocolate Eclairé Cake
• Live Your Core Values
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• Lower Your Blood Pressure Naturally
• Why Does Food Affect Your Mood?
• What Are the Symptoms of Food Sensitivities?
• How to Test for Food Sensitivities
• What Is A Heart Healthy Diet?

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"Jackie's Pudding" is terrific Homemade Vanilla Pudding.

Homemade Vanilla Pudding is deliciously easy.

Homemade Vanilla Pudding (Jackie's Pudding). Amazing. And easy.

The Backstory

In the first œin-law family I had there were 4 children. My mother-in-law was the oldest and her brother Jack was the youngest. They grew up in a time when household help was common in the northern suburbs of Chicago. Their cook was Fanny. And a great lady she was. When I met her, she was well into retirement.

As the Holden children were growing up, each had a favorite dish that Fanny made. Jack's was this Homemade Vanilla Pudding. Hence the family's name for it, Jackie's Pudding. I'd like to say I learned how to make it from Fanny herself, but it was my first wife Pam who carried on the tradition of making Homemade Vanilla Pudding AKA Jackie's Pudding for her uncle Jack. I learned to make it from her.

The recipe serves 4, there were four siblings, after all! Lois and I use this pudding recipe for vanilla pudding, pie and Chocolate Eclairé Cake. It's terrific!

*Allergen Key

GF = Gluten free | DF = Dairy free | NF = Nut free | SF = Soy free | EF = Egg free | CF = Corn free | V = Vegetarian | VG = Vegan

Note: If you have serious allergies or sensitivities, to be considered free of these allergens, you need to use products specifically marked "gluten free," etc. There can be cross-contamination in facilities.

This recipe was originally posted on Recipe Idea Shop June 19, 2016 and updated March 31, 2021.

Last Updated on May 23, 2022 by Adriana