Old Fashioned Vanilla Pudding
June 10, 2026 • 0 comments
There’s something deeply comforting about a simple homemade vanilla pudding. Before boxed mixes or pre-made cups became common, cooks used simple, natural ingredients and a saucepan to make the base of many childhood memories. Milk, sugar, and eggs combine and slowly heat until the mixture transforms into a silky custard. The aroma of warm vanilla drifting through the kitchen and the anticipation of sneaking a spoonful before supper made this humble dessert a treasured memory in many homes.
- Prep Time:
- Cook Time:
- Servings: 3-4
Ingredients
- (2 Cups) Half Gallon Grass-Fed Milk
- (3 Eggs) 1 Dozen Pastured Eggs
- (1/3 Cup) Granulated Sugar
- (1.5 Teaspoons) Vanilla Extract
- (Pinch) Salt
Directions
- In a medium saucepan, whisk together the eggs, sugar, and salt until smooth and lighter in color.
- Slowly whisk in the milk until well combined.
- Warm the mixture in the saucepan slowly, and cook over low to medium-low heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon or heatproof spatula.
- Continue stirring for 10-12 minutes, until the custard thickens enough to coat the back of the spoon. If you run a finger through the coating, the line should remain clear.
- Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
- Pour into a bowl or individual serving dishes. For a traditional pudding skin, leave uncovered. For a smoother top, press plastic wrap directly onto the surface.
- Chill for at least 2 hours before serving.
Garnish Options
Many cooks of yore would sprinkle a little cinnamon or nutmeg over the top, or serve the pudding with a spoonful of stewed fruit.
Another old-fashioned treat was eating it warm straight from the bowl, when it was halfway between a custard and a pudding.
For a fresher, more modern spin, add a few fresh mint leaves and fresh raspberries or sliced strawberries.
Notes
- If the pudding thickens too much, whisk in a splash of milk.
- If you prefer a firmer, more custard-like pudding, use 4 eggs instead of 3.
The result is a simple, silky vanilla pudding with a clean flavor and gentle sweetness—the kind of dessert that feels like it came from a handwritten recipe card tucked inside a well-worn kitchen drawer, and one that doesn't leave the "ick" feeling of preservative-laden puddings.
