Vanilla Pudding For One! Rich and creamy vanilla pudding made with a few simple ingredients. Better than instant pudding mix and so easy to make!
Making your own pudding is much easier than you might think. This homemade vanilla pudding recipe is made with just a few ingredients and takes little time to make.
Why This Recipe Works
- So much better than instant boxed pudding mix or store-bought pudding: We all know this - homemade just tastes so much better!
- Made with "real" ingredients: With this vanilla pudding recipe, you won't find any artificial thickeners or flavorings - just real ingredients, many of which you likely already have in your fridge and pantry.
- Made without eggs: This vanilla pudding recipe is made with no eggs. Instead, cornstarch is used to thicken the pudding.
- Rich and creamy: The rich, velvety smooth, sweet taste of the vanilla pudding will take your tastebuds by surprise! The pudding is thick, luscious, and over-the-top delicious.
- The perfect amount: If you're cooking for one and don't want to be left with many leftovers, this recipe is perfect for you. This pudding recipe yields the perfect amount for one or two people to enjoy.
Ingredients and Ingredient Notes
To make a small amount of vanilla pudding, you will need:
- Whole milk: I highly recommend using whole milk. You can use half and half or 2% milk instead but the pudding won't be as thick if 2% milk is used.
- Heavy cream: I highly recommend using heavy cream or heavy whipping cream.
- Sugar: Use granulated sugar to add sweetness to the pudding.
- Salt and vanilla extract: For flavor.
- Cornstarch: This ingredient helps to thicken the pudding. The pudding will thicken on the stovetop and also in the fridge.
- Butter: A small amount of salted butter is stirred into the pudding at the end. It helps make the pudding even richer, definitely don't skip it.
See below for ways to use leftover ingredients.
How To Make Small Batch Vanilla Pudding
See the recipe box below for ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions.
- Pour milk into a 1-quart saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir in the sugar and salt. Cook, stirring occasionally until mixture begins to steam, about 5 minutes.
- While the milk is heating, whisk together the cream and cornstarch in a small bowl until very smooth.
Pro Tip: Cornstarch helps the pudding to thicken but we don't pour the cornstarch directly into the milk mixture. Instead, we create a "slurry" of cornstarch and cream and pour it into the pot. Making a slurry is a way to add cornstarch so that it doesn't clump. Cornstarch needs to be heated to a boil before it can gelatinize the pudding.
- Add the cornstarch mixture to the heated milk and cook, stirring occasionally, until the mixture begins to simmer, about 5 minutes.
- Reduce heat to low and stir for 5 minutes, until the pudding has thicked.
- Remove from the heat and stir in vanilla extract and butter. Continue to stir until butter has melted.
- Cool until lukewarm, then pour the pudding into a small ramekin or dessert bowl. Cover and refrigerate until chilled.
Expert Tips
- Be sure to whisk the cornstarch with the cream very well. The mixture should be smooth when you pour it into the pot.
- Add the butter and the vanilla to the pot after you've taken it off the heat. This will give you a more intense vanilla flavor.
- This simple, comforting vanilla pudding is the perfect canvas for many different toppings. Top classic vanilla pudding with whipped cream and fresh fruit or use it in a small layered trifle. For some added crunch, garnish your pudding with crushed cookies, graham crackers, or nuts.
- You might like to consider using this easy vanilla pudding recipe as a base for a mini banana pudding or a banana cream pie.
RELATED: 15 Easy Dessert Recipes For One
Frequently Asked Questions
Puddings and custards begin with a base of sweetened cream or milk. The main difference is the ingredient that is used as a thickening agent. Cornstarch or flour is generally used to thicken puddings, while eggs are mostly used in custards to thicken.
After you make the pudding, be sure to refrigerate it for about 20 minutes or until it has chilled. It will keep well in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
Yes! This recipe doubles well.
I use a 1-quart saucepan when I make this vanilla pudding. For best results use a pot of similar size.
If you would like additional information on the cooking and baking dishes I use in our “recipes for one”, please visit our FAQ page.
For examples of the dishes used at One Dish Kitchen, please visit our Store page.
Yes, this is a gluten-free vanilla pudding recipe.
Ways To Use Leftover Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this vanilla pudding recipe, you might like to consider using them in any of these single serving and small batch recipes:
- Cream: Lime Posset, Chocolate Mousse, Crustless Quiche Lorraine, Mini Boston Cream Pie
- Cornstarch: Lemon Meringue Pie, Slow Cooker Sesame Chicken, Coconut Cream Pie, Mini Blueberry Pie
- Vanilla extract: Two Vanilla Cupcakes, Vanilla Ice Cream, Coffee Creamer, Mini Coffee Cake
How To Make Homemade Whipped Cream
You can certainly use whipped cream purchased from the grocery store to top your pudding, but homemade whipped cream takes just minutes to make and tastes so rich and wonderful. The only ingredients needed are heavy cream and sugar.
Pour ¼ cup of cream and 1 to 2 teaspoons of sugar into a small mixing bowl. Whisk until the cream reaches soft peaks, about 2-4 minutes.
RELATED: Comfort Food Recipes For One
If you’ve tried this homemade vanilla pudding or any recipe on One Dish Kitchen please let me know how you liked it by rating the recipe and telling me about it in the comment section below.
If you take a picture please tag us on Instagram (@onedishkitchen) we’d love to see it!
Vanilla Pudding For One
See the post above for expert tips,
FAQs and ways to use leftover ingredients.
Equipment
Ingredients
- ½ cup whole milk
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup heavy cream , or heavy whipping cream
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- ½ tablespoon butter
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
- optional toppings: whipped cream and fresh berries
Instructions
- Pour milk into a 1-quart saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir in the sugar and salt. Cook, stirring frequently until mixture begins to steam, about 5 minutes. While the milk is heating, whisk together the cream and cornstarch in a small bowl until very smooth.
- Add cornstarch mixture to the heated milk; cook, stirring frequently until the mixture starts to simmer.
- Reduce heat to low and stir for 5 minutes, until pudding has thickened.
- Remove pan from heat and stir in butter and vanilla. Continue to stir until butter has melted. Pour into a bowl to cool. Cover and refrigerate until chilled.
- Top with whipped cream and berries, if desired.
Notes
- Be sure to whisk the cornstarch with the cream very well. The mixture should be smooth when you pour it into the pot.
- Add the butter and the vanilla to the pot after you've taken it off the heat. This will give you a more intense vanilla flavor.
- This simple, comforting vanilla pudding is the perfect canvas for many different toppings. Top classic vanilla pudding with whipped cream and fresh fruit or use it in a small layered trifle. For some added crunch, garnish your pudding with crushed cookies, graham crackers, or nuts.
- You might like to consider using this easy vanilla pudding recipe as a base for a mini banana pudding or a banana cream pie.
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.
Rae says
This is the ideal mid-afternoon sweet craving recipe. My husband is a pudding addict and I'm sure he will love this!
Katerina says
I LOVE this dessert!! SO GOOD!!
Anna says
This pudding is fantastic!
Jessica Sheppard says
Vanilla pudding for one?! I love to have the single serving recipe. It's just super convenient. Love vanilla pudding too!!!
Cori says
This looks so yummy! I have never made my own pudding before but am excited to give it a try.
Dorothy says
This looks soooo tasty! I love that you can make a single portions.
Rachel says
This looks amazing! I love vanilla pudding!
Rachel says
This recipe looks delicious! I might have to double it because I'm not sharing with my husband. LOL Thanks for sharing.
Kelly says
Yum! Such a great idea for a fun snack!
Amy says
Most of my family is on a diet but I'm not giving up dessert! This is the perfect treat for ME!