Description

This creamy homemade Vanilla Pudding with Fresh Fruit is a delightful and easy-to-make dessert perfect for any occasion. Made with simple pantry staples like milk, sugar, and eggs, and topped with a medley of fresh fruits, it offers a refreshing balance of sweetness and natural fruit flavors. The pudding is smooth, rich, and velvety, making it a perfect treat to enjoy chilled, especially during warm weather.

Ingredients

Scale

Pudding

2 cups whole milk
½ cup granulated sugar
¼ cup cornstarch
¼ teaspoon salt
2 large egg yolks
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 tablespoon unsalted butter

Fruit Topping

2 cups mixed fresh fruit (such as strawberries, blueberries, kiwi, mango)
Optional mint leaves for garnish

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Instructions

Combine dry ingredients: In a medium saucepan, whisk together the sugar, cornstarch, and salt to ensure even distribution and prevent lumps in the pudding.
Add milk: Slowly whisk in the whole milk until the mixture is smooth and fully combined.
Cook base mixture: Place the saucepan over medium heat and cook the mixture, stirring constantly to prevent burning, until it thickens and starts to bubble, about 6 to 8 minutes.
Temper egg yolks: In a separate bowl, whisk the egg yolks thoroughly. Gradually add a few spoonfuls of the hot milk mixture into the yolks while whisking constantly to temper them and prevent scrambling.
Combine and cook further: Pour the tempered egg yolk mixture back into the saucepan. Continue cooking for an additional 2 to 3 minutes, stirring constantly until the pudding is thick and creamy.
Finalize pudding: Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the unsalted butter and pure vanilla extract until the pudding is smooth and glossy.
Chill pudding: Pour the pudding into individual serving cups or a large bowl. Cover with plastic wrap directly on the surface to prevent skin formation and chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours until fully set.
Serve: Before serving, top the pudding with the fresh mixed fruit and garnish with mint leaves if desired for a fresh, colorful presentation.

Notes

You can use any combination of fresh fruit such as berries, peaches, or bananas based on your preference and seasonality.
For a dairy-free version, substitute the whole milk with plant-based milk like almond or oat milk and replace butter with vegan butter or coconut oil.
The pudding can be prepared a day in advance, making it a convenient dessert option for gatherings or meal prep.
Pressing plastic wrap directly onto the pudding surface helps prevent a skin from forming as it cools.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cup
Calories: 280
Sugar: 22g
Sodium: 170mg
Fat: 9g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Unsaturated Fat: 3g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 43g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 5g
Cholesterol: 95mg