Homemade Vanilla Pudding Cupsthat are easy to make and tastier than pre-packaged pudding cups. They are such a cute and fun dessert to make and filled with wonderful vanilla flavor!

Close up of a jar of homemade vanilla pudding with a spoon in it.

These homemade vanilla pudding with milk or half-and-half, egg yolks, corn starch, and sugar! It’s easy, and so cute as pudding cups, just servethe puddingin individual cups! Sprinkles don’t hurt anything.

Making your own vanilla pudding at home is really simple and tastes delicious. The texture is smooth, creamy, and it’s just plain good. Once you taste the difference of homemade, you won’t go back to the store bought version. You must also try mypumpkin pie puddinganddouble chocolate pudding!

Top view of six jars of vanilla pudding.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Rich and creamy with a deep vanilla taste, this pudding is comfort in a cup.
With simple ingredients and quick preparation, it’s perfect for a stress-free dessert.
Serving in mason jars adds a cute and playful touch, great for kids and adults alike.
You can easily adjust the recipe or add toppings like sprinkles, fruit, or whipped cream.

Recipe Ingredients

Sugar –Granulated
Cornstarch
Half-and-half
Egg yolks
Butter –Unsalted
Vanilla extract
Salt

See the recipe card below for full information on ingredients and quantities

Top view of ingredients for pudding in bowls.

How to Make Homemade Vanilla Pudding Cups

top view of pan of vanilla pudding with a whisk

Step #1.In a saucepan, whisk together sugar, cornstarch, and salt, then gradually add half-and-half and egg yolks.

top view of vanilla pudding in pan with wooden spoon

Step #2.Heat the mixture until it thickens, then stir in butter and vanilla.

Step #3.Pour the pudding into jars or a bowl and refrigerate for 3 hours.

vanilla pudding on spoon above jar of pudding

Step #4.Enjoy directly from the jars, adding sprinkles or toppings if desired.

Recipe FAQs

How long does it take for pudding to set?

It typically takes about 3 hours to become firm in the fridge.

What can I use if I don’t have half-and-half?

You can replace 1 cup of half and half with a mixture of butter and whole milk. Add 1 Tablespoon melted butter to about a cup of milk to make this substitute.

Why is my homemade pudding grainy?

The pudding can turn out grainy if you weren’t constantly whisking it. You can try adding a tiny bit of cornstarch to create a smooth, silkier texture. Remember to whisk continuously but gently.

How do I serve homemade vanilla pudding?

There are so many ways to enjoy homemade vanilla pudding. You can package the pudding in individual servings dishes topped with sprinkles. Or you can serve the pudding with crushed up Nilla wafers. You can also serve it with berries or whipped cream.

Top view of a jar of vanilla pudding with rainbow sprinkles on top.

Expert Tips

You canswap the half and halffor3 cups of whole milk.
Whisk constantly while heatingthe mixture toavoid lumpsin your pudding.
For anextra smooth texture,strain the pudding before pouringit into jars.
Youdon’t have to add this to individual jars, it’s just fun. You can place the pudding ina large bowlto serve instead of 6 individual containers.
You can use salted butter,justomit the salt in the recipe.

A spoonful of pudding dripping into a jar of pudding.

How to Serve and Store Homemade Vanilla Pudding

Fresh berries, banana slices, or a dollop of fruit compote add a refreshing contrast, or you can top with a swirl ofwhipped creamfor a classic touch. Serve with a side ofshortbread cookiesoralmond biscottifor dipping. You can also try mybanana pudding,dirt pudding,orrice puddingrecipes.

Store the pudding in airtight containers or covered jars in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. I do not recommend freezing, as the texture may become grainy. If you need to freeze it, do so in small portions and thaw in the refrigerator, stirring well before serving to restore some of the smoothness.