20 Grandma-Approved Pudding Recipes

Pudding is a fantastic dessert because it is so smooth and creamy, plus it is really simple to put together. You can enjoy it as a quick snack, make it fancy for a special day, or even use it to make a yummy bread pudding. Adding fruit or whipped cream on top makes it even more delicious. With so many kinds to choose from, you will always find one you love.

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Dark Chocolate Irish Cream Pudding

Glass bowls filled with chocolate pudding, each topped with a dollop of whipped cream and chocolate shavings, are arranged on a white tray. A white bowl with more whipped cream and a spoon is in the background. — Dark Chocolate Irish Cream Pudding. Photo Baste Cut Fold

Dark Chocolate Irish Cream Pudding is super rich and has a fun boozy kick, making it a fancy-tasting dessert that is actually very easy to make, especially when topped with whipped cream.
Get the recipe: Dark Chocolate Irish Cream Pudding

Pumpkin Arroz con Leche (Pumpkin Rice Pudding)

Pumpkin Arroz con Leche served in a glass cup topped with raisins and a cinnamon stick to the side. — Pumpkin Arroz con Leche. Photo Credit: Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

Pumpkin Arroz con Leche is a creamy rice pudding that gets its great taste from pumpkin and warm spices, creating a cozy and delicious treat that is perfect for any day.
Get the recipe: Pumpkin Arroz con Leche

Chocolate Chip Bread Pudding

A top view of a baked bread pudding in a round dish, sprinkled with powdered sugar. It is surrounded by coffee, milk, and chocolate chips on a marble surface, with white flowers and forks resting nearby. — Chocolate Chip Bread Pudding. Photo by Bakers Table

Chocolate Chip Bread Pudding is soft, eggy, and absolutely packed with melty chocolate chips, making it a dessert that feels like you are having a treat for breakfast.
Get the recipe: Chocolate Chip Bread Pudding

Arroz con Leche (Rice Pudding)

A glass mug filled with a creamy dessert topped with a sprinkle of cinnamon and a cinnamon stick. The dessert appears to contain raisins and is placed on a wooden board with some scattered cinnamon powder around. — Arroz con Leche. Photo By Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

Arroz con Leche is a sweet and comforting dessert where the rice is cooked until it is super soft in a milky mixture, making it perfect for eating warm with a big spoon.
Get the Recipe: Arroz con Leche

Banana Pudding Cheesecake Squares

Slices of banana pudding cheesecake bars topped with banana slices and crumbled cookies on parchment paper. Creamy filling and golden cookie crust are visible, with a drizzle of caramel sauce over the top. Fresh banana pieces are scattered around. — Banana Pudding Cheesecake Squares. Photo by Chenee Today

These Banana Pudding Cheesecake Squares have layers of real bananas, creamy custard, and a crunchy vanilla wafer crust, turning the classic pudding into an easy-to-eat square.
Get the recipe: Banana Pudding Cheesecake Squares

Capirotada (Mexican Bread Pudding)

Capirotada (or Mexican Bread Pudding) served in a white bowl and topped with sprinkles. — Capirotada. Photo by Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

Capirotada is a unique Mexican bread pudding that mixes soft bread with fruit, nuts, and cheese for a sweet dish that is a little crunchy and full of different flavors.
Get Recipe: Capirotada

Eggnog Bread Pudding

A slice of bread pudding is served on a white plate with a dusting of powdered sugar. A rich, creamy sauce is being poured over the top, covering the golden-brown surface. The background features a white tablecloth and some scattered pecans. — Eggnog Bread Pudding – Brioche Brown Butter Rum Recipe. Photo credit: Chenee Today.

Eggnog Bread Pudding soaks up all the rich and spiced flavor of eggnog into soft bread, and it becomes extra indulgent with a delicious buttery rum glaze on top.
Get the recipe: Eggnog Bread Pudding

The Best Chia Seed Pudding

A jar of chia pudding topped with two strawberry slices and a sprig of mint, surrounded by whole strawberries and scattered chia seeds. The setting is on a blue and white checkered cloth. — Chia Seed Pudding. Photo by Rose Bakes

This Chia Seed Pudding is thick and creamy, packed with protein and fiber, and can be flavored in many ways for a healthy snack that still feels like a real treat.
Get the recipe: The Best Chia Seed Pudding

Southern Vegan Banana Pudding

Bowls and a baking dish filled with banana pudding topped with whipped cream, banana slices, and crumbled cookies on a white background. — Southern Vegan Banana Pudding. Photo by Strength and Sunshine

Southern Vegan Banana Pudding layers vanilla wafers, bananas, and creamy pudding without any dairy, making a sweet and fluffy dessert that everyone can enjoy.
Get the recipe: Southern Vegan Banana Pudding

The Best Creamy Chocolate Blended Chia Pudding

A glass of chocolate mousse topped with chocolate chips and edible purple and yellow flowers. A sprig of lavender is placed beside it on a white plate, with golden cutlery in the background. — Creamy Chocolate Blended Chia Pudding. Photo by Delectable Food Life

This Blended Chia Pudding is like a smooth chocolate mousse that is simple to make by just blending a few ingredients and then chilling it until it is rich and thick.
Get the recipe: The Best Creamy Chocolate Blended Chia Pudding

Coquito Bread Pudding

A close-up of a slice of bread pudding on a white plate, topped with raisins and being drizzled with caramel sauce. A fork is placed on the side of the plate, and a blurred background suggests additional dessert items. — Coquito Bread Pudding (Budín de Coquito). Photo credit: Sense & Edibility.

Coquito Bread Pudding is a custardy dessert that mixes coconut and rum flavors, and it becomes even more amazing with a sweet coquito toffee sauce poured over the top.
Get the recipe: Coquito Bread Pudding

Kheer Recipe (Indian Rice Pudding)

A bowl of creamy rice pudding topped with chopped pistachios and raisins. A spoon is placed in the bowl, and the pudding sits on a white marble surface. — Kheer Recipe (Indian Rice Pudding). Photo by The Forked Spoon

Kheer is a rich Indian rice pudding that is flavored with cardamom and sometimes nuts, making a sweet and creamy dessert that feels a little bit fancy and special.
Get the recipe: Kheer Recipe (Indian Rice Pudding)

Chocolate Chia Pudding

This Chocolate Chia Pudding needs only five ingredients and no cooking at all, making a healthy but sweet treat that is thick, satisfying, and perfect any time of day.
Get the recipe: Chocolate Chia Pudding

Homemade Vanilla Pudding

Glass jars filled with creamy dessert are garnished with raspberries and mint leaves. A small bowl holds additional raspberries. Wooden spoons and a red-striped cloth accompany the arrangement on a light surface. — Homemade Vanilla Pudding. Photo by Sheri Silver

Homemade Vanilla Pudding is a simple classic that is smooth and sweet, tasting much better than any kind you can get from a box, and it only needs a few ingredients.
Get the recipe: Homemade Vanilla Pudding

Che Khoai Mon (Taro rice pudding)

A bowl of savory porridge topped with shredded coconut and crispy shallots. A portion of yellow rice is visible beside the bowl. The dish is surrounded by a blurred background, hinting at additional meal components. — Che Khoai Mon. Photo by Cinnamon Snail

Che Khoai Mon is a Vietnamese pudding made with taro and pandan, giving it a sweet and nutty taste that is naturally gluten-free and vegan but loved by everyone.
Get the recipe: Che Khoai Mon (Taro rice pudding)

Sutlaç – Turkish Rice Pudding

A close-up of a clay bowl containing baked rice pudding with a caramelized top, garnished with crushed pistachios. The bowl is placed on a speckled gray surface. — Sutlaç – Turkish Rice Pudding. Photo by Give Recipe

Sütlaç is a Turkish rice pudding that is baked until the top is golden and a bit crispy, while the inside stays creamy and smooth for a delicious mix of textures.
Get the recipe: Sutlaç – Turkish Rice Pudding

Homemade Peanut Butter Pudding

A glass filled with creamy brown dessert topped with a dollop of peanut butter and chopped peanuts. The smooth and chunky textures contrast within the glass, which is set on a gray cloth. — Homemade Peanut Butter Pudding. Photo by Rose Bakes

Homemade Peanut Butter Pudding is incredibly creamy and tastes just like the inside of a peanut butter candy bar, making it a perfect dessert for anyone who loves that flavor.
Get the recipe: Homemade Peanut Butter Pudding

Butterscotch Pudding

A close-up of a glass filled with creamy caramel pudding, topped with a generous swirl of whipped cream. Another glass is blurred in the background. The presentation is elegant and inviting. — Butterscotch Pudding. Photo by Simply Stacie

Butterscotch Pudding is creamy and has a caramel-like taste that is totally nostalgic, making you feel like a kid again while still being a great dessert for grown-ups.
Get the recipe: Butterscotch Pudding

Orange Chocolate Pudding

A glass bowl filled with creamy chocolate mousse, garnished with orange zest on top. The mousse has a rich, glossy texture, creating a tempting dessert presentation. — Orange Chocolate Pudding. Photo by A Sweet Alternative

Orange Chocolate Pudding mixes zesty orange with deep chocolate for a flavor combo that is bright and rich, making it much more exciting than regular chocolate pudding.
Get the recipe: Orange Chocolate Pudding

Red Velvet Banana Pudding

A layered dessert in a glass bowl featuring banana slices, whipped cream, red cake pieces, and chocolate chips. Additional portions in smaller dishes are in the foreground, set against a marble background. — Red Velvet Banana Pudding. Photo by In Fine Taste

Red Velvet Banana Pudding is a dessert mash-up that combines cream cheese pudding, red velvet cake, bananas, and chocolate chips for a sweet and tangy treat.
Get the recipe: Red Velvet Banana Pudding