9 Rich and Creamy Homemade Pudding Recipes the Family Will Love

Best-Ever Vanilla Pudding

One BH&G reader admits, "Made it yesterday and it's all gone. Great recipe!" We wholeheartedly agree, which is why we're featuring this classic homemade vanilla pudding recipe first. Egg yolks and your choice of dairy (whole milk, half-and-half, or light cream) help each spoonful taste just rich enough. Don't be scared off by the salt suggestion—it's just enough to really amplify the vanilla and sugar in the custard.

Dark Chocolate Pudding

"Seriously good; way beyond belief," "simply wonderful," and "super-easy and yummy"are just the beginning of the fan feedback we've received about this, our best chocolate pudding recipe. A double dose of chocolate—from unsweetened cocoa powder and chopped dark chocolate—ensures every bite delivers major dessert delight. If you're sharing with those over 21, to brighten spirits even more, replace ½ cup of the half-and-half with raspberry liqueur.

Salted Caramel Pots de Crème

Buttery, decadent, and off-the-charts delicious as a caramel pudding recipe alone, we just about danced with delight when we tasted this easy pudding recipe with the flaky sea salt sprinkled on top. That salty kick complements the sweet custard impeccably, and the entire dessert can be made with items you probably have right now in your fridge and pantry. We turn to this time and time again for a low-fuss dinner party dessert—that sure doesn't taste as simple as it is.

Chia Pudding

Craving a homemade pudding recipe for breakfast? This fiber-packed option gets our on-staff dietitian's stamp of approval as an a.m. meal, snack, or dessert. It's everything you love about fruit and yogurt parfaits, mixed with the satisfaction of a hearty bowl of oats. Protein-rich Greek yogurt and fiber-strong chia seeds are the starring ingredients, and you can let your creative juices flow by designing your dream bowl with toppings like fresh kiwi, mango, banana slices, fresh berries, toasted nuts, toasted coconut flakes, or even shaved chocolate.

Lavender-Lemon Pudding Cakes

This lemon pudding recipe makes for one lovely anniversary or Valentine's Day dessert if you bake it in a festively shaped vessel. Try it in rounds or other seasonal shapes, and the lavender-citrus cakes will stun any day. The flavor is reminiscent of lemon bars, just with a grown-up, garden-tinged twist.

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White Chocolate and Cranberry Pot de Crème

Never have we ever set our eyes on a more festive homemade pudding recipe! Even without a dusting of the optional edible gold glitter, this lovely layered treat will turn heads on any dessert table. The white chocolate layer is lusciously rich thanks to its whipping cream and egg yolk custard base. The sweet-tart cranberry topping cuts through that beautifully with plenty of fruit freshness and citrusy zing.

Chocolate-Coconut Pudding

If you're cuckoo for coconuts, then this tropical coconut pudding recipe might just be your dessert menu MVP. Light coconut milk and coconut extract team up to add a sweet and nutty quality, which beautifully complements the cocoa powder and chopped semisweet chocolate in the mix. Sprinkle some toasted coconut flakes on top to hint at the flavor surprise hiding inside.

Gooey Chocolate Pudding Cakes

Introducing: Molten lava cake 2.0. Slice through the baked cake topping to reveal a warm, melted chocolate chip and Nutella-infused filling. Good thing the entire homemade pudding recipe takes a mere 40 minutes … after talking about all that decadence, we want to dive into a dish (à la mode, please) ASAP!

Caramel-Apple Pudding Cake

Why decide between cake or pudding when you can enjoy both at once? Served warm with a dollop of cinnamon ice cream, this double-delicious apple cake-caramel pudding recipe will please everyone you share it with. (Lucky them to score a slice!) Cinnamon, nutmeg, pecans, and brown sugar scent each serving with fall flavor.