Who doesn’t love a velvety smooth dessert that combines the sweet, juicy goodness of fresh strawberries with a rich, creamy pudding? This Strawberry Pudding is exactly what your taste buds are craving: silky, sweet, and just the right amount of tartness from the strawberries. The best part? It’s a breeze to make, and you’ll be savoring every spoonful as it melts in your mouth.
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This dessert feels like a hug in a bowl, and it’s perfect for everything from a cozy night in to impressing your guests at a dinner party. I promise you, once you’ve made it, you’ll be hooked!
Why You’ll Love Strawberry Pudding
This recipe isn’t just about the ingredients—it’s about creating moments. Whether you’re treating yourself to a delicious solo dessert or sharing it with friends and family, this strawberry pudding is sure to win hearts. Here’s why it’s a favorite:
Versatile: Great for any occasion—serve it as a quick weeknight treat, a refreshing summer dessert, or even as a special addition to a brunch spread. It’s as adaptable as it is delicious!
Budget-Friendly: Uses ingredients you already have in your pantry and fridge. You don’t need to go hunting for fancy items; this one’s made with love and simplicity.
Quick and Easy: A simple dessert that comes together quickly. No complicated steps, just a few basic ingredients, and a little time for the pudding to set. It’s perfect for when you want a sweet treat without the fuss.
Customizable: Want to change it up? Top it with whipped cream, chopped nuts, or even chocolate shavings. The possibilities are endless!
Crowd-Pleasing: It’s a guaranteed hit! Everyone from kids to adults will be reaching for seconds of this sweet, creamy pudding.
Ingredients in Strawberry Pudding
Here’s what you’ll need for this delightful dessert. Simple, fresh ingredients that create a show-stopping treat!
Fresh Strawberries: Sweet, juicy, and packed with flavor, strawberries are the star of this dessert.
Sugar: To bring out the natural sweetness of the berries and balance the creamy pudding.
Cornstarch: This helps thicken the pudding into that luxurious texture we all love.
Whole Milk: Adds richness and makes the pudding creamy.
Heavy Cream: For an extra indulgent, silky smooth pudding.
Vanilla Extract: A touch of vanilla adds depth and warmth to the flavor.
Salt: Just a pinch to balance the sweetness and enhance the flavors.
(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.)
Instructions
Let’s dive into the steps to make this delicious pudding:
Prepare the Strawberries: Start by washing and slicing the strawberries. Toss them with sugar and set aside to allow them to release their juice. You can even mash some of the berries for extra flavor.
Make the Pudding Base: In a medium saucepan, combine milk, heavy cream, cornstarch, sugar, and a pinch of salt. Heat over medium heat, whisking constantly, until the mixture thickens and starts to bubble. This usually takes about 5–7 minutes. Keep whisking to avoid lumps!
Add the Strawberries: Once the pudding base has thickened, fold in the mashed strawberries (and any juice they’ve released). Stir until combined and let the flavors meld together.
Cool and Set: Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Pour the pudding into individual serving cups or a larger dish. Cover and chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours to allow it to set.
Serve and Enjoy: Once chilled, serve your strawberry pudding topped with fresh strawberry slices, whipped cream, or even a drizzle of chocolate syrup for extra indulgence. Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 6
Calories per serving: Approx. 250
Preparation Time
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 7–10 minutes
Chill Time: 2 hours
Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
How to Serve Strawberry Pudding
This pudding is delicious on its own, but you can elevate it with these simple additions:
Whipped Cream: Top with a dollop of fresh whipped cream for extra decadence.
Chocolate Chips: For a bit of chocolatey goodness, sprinkle some mini chocolate chips on top.
Fresh Mint: A few fresh mint leaves for a pop of color and freshness.
Berries: Add a few whole or sliced strawberries to make it even more strawberry-packed.
Additional Tips
Prep Ahead: This dessert is perfect for make-ahead! Just keep it in the fridge for up to 2 days.
More Fruit: Swap out strawberries for other fruits like raspberries, blueberries, or blackberries for a fun twist.
Make it Dairy-Free: Use coconut milk and coconut cream in place of dairy for a dairy-free option.
Storage Tips: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. It gets even better as it sits!
Freezer Friendly: This pudding can be frozen for up to 1 month. Let it thaw in the fridge before serving.
FAQ Section
Q1: Can I use frozen strawberries?
A1: Yes! Just thaw them out and mash them before adding them to the pudding base. Frozen strawberries work just fine.
Q2: How do I make it thicker?
A2: If you want a thicker pudding, increase the amount of cornstarch slightly, but be careful not to go overboard!
Q3: Can I double the recipe?
A3: Absolutely! Just double the ingredients and use a larger dish to set the pudding.
Q4: Can I make this pudding vegan?
A4: Yes! Use coconut milk and coconut cream instead of dairy milk and cream, and substitute with a plant-based sweetener if you’d like.
Q5: How long will this pudding last in the fridge?
A5: It’ll last up to 3 days in the fridge, but it’s so tasty, it’s probably gone before then!
Q6: Can I serve this warm?
A6: This pudding is best served chilled, but if you love it warm, it’s delicious straight from the stovetop too!
Q7: Can I add other flavors to this pudding?
A7: Absolutely! Add some lemon zest, a splash of almond extract, or even a little cinnamon to customize it.
Q8: How do I prevent the pudding from forming a skin?
A8: Cover the pudding with plastic wrap, ensuring the wrap is directly on the surface of the pudding to prevent a skin from forming.
Q9: Can I make this in advance for a party?
A9: Definitely! Make it the night before and refrigerate it until ready to serve.
Q10: Can I top this with something other than whipped cream?
A10: Sure! Try a sprinkle of granola, a drizzle of caramel sauce, or even some toasted coconut for added texture.
And there you have it—Strawberry Pudding, the ultimate creamy dessert that’ll have everyone asking for the recipe. It’s sweet, refreshing, and the perfect way to end any meal. Enjoy every spoonful, and don’t be surprised if it becomes your new go-to treat!
Print
Strawberry Pudding
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-cook
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Strawberry Pudding is a delicious twist on the classic banana pudding! Layers of fresh strawberries, creamy vanilla pudding, whipped cream, and vanilla wafer cookies come together to create a dessert that’s both indulgent and refreshing.
Ingredients
- 4 cups sliced fresh strawberries (about 1 to 1 1/2 quarts or about 32 oz.)
- 1 (3 oz.) package strawberry Jell-o (sugar-free works just fine, too)
- 2 (3.4 oz.) packages instant vanilla pudding (sugar-free works just fine)
- 3 cups cold milk
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 (11 oz.) box vanilla wafers
- 1 (8 oz.) container Cool Whip non-dairy whipped topping, divided (or 3 cups homemade whipped cream)
Instructions
- Place strawberries in a saucepan and sprinkle with dry Jell-o powder. Stir gently to evenly coat berries. Heat over medium-low heat just until Jell-o is dissolved. Set aside to cool.
- In a mixing bowl, beat together milk, sour cream, and dry instant vanilla pudding powder until well combined. Fold in half of the Cool Whip.
- In a trifle bowl or glass bowl, make layers in this order: vanilla wafers, half of the pudding mixture, and half of the strawberry mixture. Repeat layers once more.
- Top with remaining half of the Cool Whip. Crumble four or five vanilla wafers on top of Cool Whip.
- Cover and chill overnight.
Notes
- For a more indulgent treat, top with extra crumbled vanilla wafers before serving.
- Chill for at least 6 hours, but overnight is recommended for the best flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 32g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 46g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 15mg