8 Secret Tricks Grandma NEVER Skipped When Making Pudding (2024)

Home Recipes Dishes & Beverages Puddings

Updated: Sep. 14, 2023

    Making pudding from scratch? Don't skip these old-school tips that'll make it taste even better.

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    Add more flavor

    Whether you’re making pudding from scratch or starting with a box mix, you can always add a little extra flavor. A teaspoon of vanilla extract can add richness to any pudding. A bit of espresso powder can make chocolate puddings taste more chocolaty—add more for a mocha flavor.

    You can stir in a bit of your favorite liqueur too. A splash of Irish cream, creme de menthe or even bourbon can take your go-to pudding recipe to a new place.

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    Swap out the milk for something creamier

    If you’re using a boxed mix that calls for milk, you can make the mix taste more homemade by subbing in another ingredient like evaporated milk or canned coconut milk. These substitutions will make the pudding even creamier.

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    Always use a whisk

    While it can be tempting to break out Nana’s wooden spoon to make an old-fashioned recipe like pudding, stick with a whisk instead (it’s what any nana would recommend). Whisking the ingredients will prevent any clumps from forming. The last thing you want in a creamy pudding is to find a lump of flour or cornstarch.

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    Don’t skimp on the toppings

    Yes, homemade pudding is a delicious treat all on its own, but you can make this treat even more indulgent by topping it with a few extras. Fresh whipped cream is a great place to start, but you can level up this old-fashioned dessert with crushed candies, chopped nuts or cookie crumbles.

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    Take your time

    When it comes to tapioca pudding, you’ll need to plan a bit in advance. Tapioca pearls need to soak and soften up before you start whisking up your other ingredients. You can do this by soaking the pearls in water for 12 hours or use your slow cooker like in this tapioca pudding recipe.

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    Recycle your butter wrappers

    To prevent a film from developing on top of your pudding while it chills, many recipes recommend pressing a bit of waxed paper or plastic wrap onto the pudding. But if you really want to do it the grandma way, be thrifty! Press a butter wrapper onto the surface as it chills instead.

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    Resist the urge to stir

    Once your pudding is set and chilling in the fridge, you’re done stirring. Nope, don’t even give it a swirl before serving up in dessert dishes. Extra stirring after the fact will loosen up the rich texture of the pudding that you worked so hard to create.

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    Use leftovers for other desserts

    If you’ve got leftover pudding, but not enough to serve the whole fam, don’t scrap it! Use pudding to make other yummy desserts like parfaits, trifles or mini layered treats like this layered chocolate pudding.

    Originally Published: May 08, 2021

    8 Secret Tricks Grandma NEVER Skipped When Making Pudding (2024)

    FAQs

    How to improve boxed instant pudding? ›

    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.

    What can I add to pudding to make it better? ›

    Yes, homemade pudding is a delicious treat all on its own, but you can make this treat even more indulgent by topping it with a few extras. Fresh whipped cream is a great place to start, but you can level up this old-fashioned dessert with crushed candies, chopped nuts or cookie crumbles.

    What is the secret to making Yorkshire pudding rise? ›

    There is a secret to every Yorkshire pudding recipe when it comes to getting Yorkshire puddings to rise properly. In fact there are two. The first is to let the batter rest once you've mixed and the second is to heat your tin and beef dripping so it's piping hot when you do pour the batter in.

    Why is my jello pudding lumpy? ›

    Reheat and Stir:Uneven cooking is another culprit behind lumpy pudding. Add some more liquid, like warm milk, to loosen the mixture and adjust the thickness. Stir using a whisk. You will have to do a taste test to balance the flavors.

    How long should you heat oil for Yorkshire pudding? ›

    Put 2 teaspoons of vegetable oil into each compartment of two 4-hole Yorkshire pudding tins (see tip, below). If you only have one tin, you'll have to do this and cook the Yorkshires in two batches. Place the tin in the oven for 12-15 minutes to heat up the oil and tins until very hot (this is important for the rise).

    How do you make instant pudding stiffer? ›

    If your pudding is too thin, you may thicken it by adding cornstarch. To properly thicken instant pudding with almond milk, but you don't want to use cornstarch, you need to add a quarter cup more of the powdered pudding mix than in the original recipe.

    Can you use evaporated milk instead of milk in pudding mix? ›

    Tips. You can substitute 3 cups regular milk for evaporated milk if you want to deviate and make regular plain pudding.

    What ingredient makes pudding thick? ›

    Puddings are thickened in several ways: Using starch: In order for the starch granules to open up and actively absorb liquid, the mixture needs to come to a boil (1-3 minutes, until it starts to thicken). Stir constantly to prevent the mixture from burning.

    Why do you add salt to pudding? ›

    Balancing Sweetness

    While sugar adds a delicate sweetness, salt acts as a counterpart preventing the dish from cloying. Slat acts as a seasoning agent, elevating the overall taste of the dessert. So, next time while crafting a dessert, add salt for its crucial contribution.

    What is Yorkshire pudding called in America? ›

    History. The popover is an American version of Yorkshire pudding and similar batter puddings made in England since the 17th century, The oldest known reference to popovers dates to 1850. The first cookbook to print a recipe for popovers was in 1876.

    How do I stop my Yorkshire puddings from collapsing? ›

    Don't Open the Oven Door

    Avoid opening the oven door during cooking because the cooler air will make the puddings collapse. Sometimes they make a recovery but will never rise quite as high as they should.

    Why is it called a Yorkshire pudding when its not a pudding? ›

    It has been suggested the pudding was given the name “Yorkshire” due to the region's association with coal and the high temperatures this produced that helped to make crispy batter.

    Why is my homemade pudding runny? ›

    Pudding is usually runny because it has been stored in the refrigerator for too long or in an open space. Another cause could be due to improper cooking methods.

    Why is my homemade pudding grainy? ›

    Once the pudding cooled and the fat solidified, any bits that hadn't been thoroughly broken down came across as grainy on the tongue. Vigorously whisking the pudding—or any custard with a generous amount of butter—breaks down the fat into tiny droplets that are too small to detect once the mixture cools.

    What is the thickening agent in instant pudding? ›

    A key ingredient in instant pudding is gelatinized starch, a dried instant starch that readily absorbs liquids, which causes the pudding to gel when mixed with milk. Additional ingredients sometimes used as a thickener include gums that are soluble in cold water, such as carrageenans and alginates.

    What's the difference between instant pudding and pudding? ›

    The fundamental difference between cooked and instant pudding is the preparation. With cooked pudding, you must apply heat to the cold milk and pudding powder mixture on a stovetop or in a microwave. It must be brought to a boil (with constant stirring along the way), then cooled to set.

    Can you over mix pudding? ›

    A wire whisk will help ensure your pudding is lump-free and achieves the volume you like to see. But just how much should you mix your pudding? The answer is not so easy. Baking Kneads points out that if you mix your pudding too much, it can also become watery.

    Should you stir Yorkshire pudding batter after resting? ›

    Let your batter rest

    Our no-fail yorkies recipe recommends transferring your batter to a jug after mixing, then leaving it to rest for at least 15 minutes. If you leave your batter to rest overnight, as is the case in our mushroom yorkshires recipe, make sure you give it a good stir before cooking.

    What happens if oil isn't hot enough for Yorkshire pudding? ›

    The fat must be smoking hot in the pan before you cook the batter. If your Yorkshire pudding tin isn't hot enough before the batter is added, all attempts are destined to flop – so add fat or oil to the tin, and heat in the top of the oven at 230? C for 10 minutes first (and keep it at that temperature when cooking).

    What's the difference between Yorkshire pudding and popovers? ›

    Chef's Notes. The difference between popovers and Yorkshire puddings is that Yorkshires use the beef fat (the drippings from a beef roast). These popovers are a bit lighter in flavor and you can also prepare them before the roast is even done.

    What to add to instant vanilla pudding? ›

    You could stop at vanilla extract and be perfectly content, or you could add fun stir-ins like dulce de leche and pretzels. And if you ask us, the not-so-standard pudding combinations take the dessert from basic to amazing.

    How to make instant pudding smooth? ›

    You need to warm up the milk on in the stove Before it boils put on medium low and start whisking in the pudding mix.do so slowly. after which you can use the electric mixer for a very smooth consistency!

    What is a substitute for instant pudding mix? ›

    The alternative mix is simply 1 part cornstarch to 2 parts fine sugar, plus 1 part vanilla. I used 1 TBSP. of cornstarch and 2 TBSP. of sugar.

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