Vanilla Pudding, Six Ways

By: Nikhita Mahtani
6 Vanilla Puddings

Photo by: Brian Kennedy ©2013, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Brian Kennedy , 2013, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Whether it's an after-school snack or a silky spoonful of dessert, vanilla pudding is always a sentimental treat that can instantly channel the flavors of childhood. To re-create this creamy comfort food from scratch, toss out the powdery boxed mix and whip up Food Network Kitchen's old-fashioned  Vanilla Pudding recipe that tastes just like Mom's used to. Once you've whisked together this sweet bowl full of nostalgia, start experimenting with mix-ins to give your pudding a modern twist. From crushed cookies to ice cream-inspired candy combos, these imaginative additions only enhance the basic pudding, allowing the classic flavor to shine through.

Rocky Road PuddingYou won't have to worry about this bowl of rocky road melting: Vanilla pudding stands in for the ice cream scoop but delivers the same classic flavors when mixed with semisweet chocolate chips, toasted walnuts and miniature marshmallows.

Rocky Road Pudding

Photo by: Brian Kennedy ©2013, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Brian Kennedy , 2013, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Vanilla Pudding with Fresh Berries and GingersnapsSilky-smooth pudding is the perfect canvas for topping with a tart trio of berries and a dusting of crushed gingersnap cookies for subtle spice.

Vanilla Pudding with Fresh Berries and Gingersnaps

Photo by: Brian Kennedy ©2013, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Brian Kennedy , 2013, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Vanilla-Banana PuddingStir together this speedy version of traditional banana pudding (studded with ripe banana rounds and vanilla wafer cookies) to achieve the same familiar flavor with less fuss.

Vanilla-Banana Pudding

Photo by: Brian Kennedy ©2013, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Brian Kennedy , 2013, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

For more sweet ways to personalize your pudding cup, visit Food Network's full gallery of recipes for Vanilla Pudding, Six Ways.

Next Up

What Is the Best Time to Eat Dessert?

For some people it might be better to eat dessert before dinner.

6 Healthy Chocolate Recipes for Valentine’s Day

Because a date is optional, but dessert is a must.

Food Network Magazine: November 2012 Recipe Index

143 recipes (plus 35 side dishes!), including make-ahead breads, 50 easy appetizers, and an Iron Chef-worthy Thanksgiving spread

On the Road Eats: Comforting Desserts

Skip straight to dessert with these Food Network-approved sweet spots around the country.

6 Ways to Upgrade Vanilla Pudding

Fun stir-ins take pudding from basic to amazing. Be honest: Wouldn’t you rather have a cup of pumpkin pie pudding?

Comfort Food Mash-Ups, Remixed: Cheesecake + Carrot Cake

This week’s mash-ups feature a marriage of two classic, comforting cakes.

Taste Test: Vanilla Ice Cream

Who says ice cream can’t be part of a healthy diet? In this taste test, we sampled the 5 popular vanilla ice cream brands. We’ll tell you how they measured up.

Brownie Batter Cookies — The Weekender

Trisha Yearwood’s Brownie Batter Cookies are dense, rich and a chocolaty bite of cookie pleasure. Get the recipe.

Freeze Pie Crust

Curious if you can make pie crust ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday and store it in the freezer? Food Network has the answer.