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    Home » Desserts

    Basic Recipe for German Vanilla Pudding (Vanillepudding)

    Published: Apr 22, 2021 · Modified: Nov 25, 2021 by Marita Sinden · 15 Comments

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    Creamy, delicious and versatile are all characteristics of a German Vanilla Pudding. For many, they are a fond childhood memory. Vanilla pudding (Vanillepudding) is not only one of the most popular desserts in Germany but also a key base ingredient for many German dishes. 

    Bowls of pudding with rasberries

    When I was living in the UK, the lack of Vanilla pudding instant mixes stopped me from making a lot of German recipes. I simply did not know how to make vanilla pudding from scratch. In hindsight, I scold myself for not checking out a recipe for homemade vanilla pudding earlier. The recipe is very simple and the ingredients are easy to get hold of. 

    Let’s get started by diving into the background of German vanilla pudding. 

    What is Vanilla Pudding? 

    Vanilla Pudding is a thick dessert crème made from milk and thickened with starch. It is traditionally flavoured with a vanilla bean (affiliate link). Nobody knows when exactly the tradition of pudding started in Germany, but it is believed to have a British influence. 

    History of Dr Oetker Vanilla Pudding (Vanille Pudding) 

    The production of the German pudding powder began in 1894 in the town of Bielefeld. The founder and pharmacist Dr. August Oetker started filling one of the first “instant pudding mixes” into paper bags. The mix was supposed to produce delicious pudding without having to add eggs. This brought pudding until then reserved for the rich, to the general population. 

    Dr Oetker was not the only manufacturer who started producing instant pudding powder mixes. At the beginning, the pudding was known as “„Stärkemus“ (starch mousse) and later  „Stärkepudding“ (starch pudding) with reference to the high volume of starch in it’s ingredients. 

    The term “pudding” came from England, where it did not mean dessert at the time but was the name for a dumpling, consisting of bread, vegetables or meat.

    The ingredients for Dr. Oetker’s pudding have not changed much in 130 years. The first two flavours were vanilla and chocolate pudding (which are still the most popular flavours today). Source Westfalen.blatt.de artle: Als Bielefeld »Puddingtown« wurde)

    Uses of Vanilla Pudding in German Recipes

    For Cakes

    In Germany, you will find cakes with vanilla pudding filling everywhere. From Berliner donuts filled with pudding or little pastries called “Pudding Teilchen”. 

    Vanilla pudding is one of the key ingredients for many German cakes. You can for example just spread it on top of a cake base – see my Strawberry and Vanilla Pudding Cake Recipe or these easy rhubarb tarts.   

    Many German cake recipes, such as some German cheesecakes, use vanilla pudding as a stabilizer. 

    German Strawberry Vanilla Pudding Cake
    This Strawberry Cake uses Vanilla Pudding as its Base

    For German Butter Cream

    German butter creme is a popular cake filling that is made from butter, vanilla pudding and milk. Some of the most famous cakes like Donauwelle and Frankfurter Kranz are filled with this German Butter Creme.

    For German Pudding Creme (Pastry Cream)

    German Pastry Creme is traditionally made from Vanilla Pudding and Whipped Cream. To further stabilise the cream for cakes, recipes often use gelatine. This is a common filling for German Beesting Cake. (Bienenstich Kuchen)

    For Dessert

    There are various desserts that make use of vanilla pudding. For example, it is great for layered desserts. I used my homemade rhubarb compote and layered it with vanilla pudding to create an easy but impressive dessert.

    What else goes well with Vanilla Pudding

    • Rhubarb compote 
    • Fresh fruit, such as strawberries, blueberries and raspberries 
    • Rote Grütze (Red Berry dessert) 
    • Milchreis (German Rice Pudding)
    • Hot cherries 
    • Chocolate sprinkles or chocolate powder
    Rhubarb Compote Layered with Vanilla Pudding
    Simple Recipe: Rhubarb Compote Layered with Vanilla Pudding

    How to make homemade German Vanilla Pudding from scratch

     Ingredients

    • 1 vanilla bean (affiliate link) (alternatively use 6 teaspoon of vanilla sugar or 2 teaspoon of vanilla extract (affiliate link))
    • 500 ml / 16.9 fl oz whole milk (5% fat)
    • 2 egg yolks (medium size)
    • 40 g / 1.4 oz corn starch
    • 50 g / 1.7 oz sugar
    • 1 pinch of turmeric powder (optional for colour)

    German Vanilla Pudding Recipe Steps

    1. Slice open the vanilla bean (affiliate link) lengthwise and scrape out the vanilla pulp. 
    2. Pour the milk into a saucepan/ cooking pot and place the vanilla pulp on top. You should also cook the vanilla bean (affiliate link) skin as it has a lot of flavours. Start to boil. 
    3. While heating the milk, place the corn starch and sugar in a bowl. Add the 2 tablespoon of milk and two egg yolks and whisk to combine to a smooth mass. Make sure to whisk the mixture thoroughly as you do not want to have any clumps. (if you want to achieve a nice yellow colour add a pinch of turmeric. This will not affect the taste, just the colour).
    4. Remove the vanilla bean (affiliate link) skin from the milk.
    5. Pour the cornflour mixture into the milk and quickly stir. Bring back to boil while continually stirring. The milk should thicken. Remove the pudding from the heat. 
    6. Pour into pudding moulds or bowls and leave to cool.

    Bonus Tips:

    • To avoid a skin building on the cooked vanilla pudding, place a sheet of cling film directly on the top of your vanilla pudding.
    • Do not discard the vanilla bean (affiliate link) after boiling the milk. Leave to try and use for your homemade vanilla sugar.

    Recipe Variations

    By Ingredient

    • Without Eggs: Corn starch is enough to stabilize the pudding. You can just omit the egg altogether. The egg yolk does help the pudding to get its lovely yellow colour. You can just use a pinch of turmeric in your egg-less vanilla pudding.
    • Without Sugar: For all those of you who follow a low-carb diet or don’t eat sugar, you can also use artificial sweeteners. 
    • Without Milk: Vanilla pudding can very easily be made with almond or soya milk. Just replace cow milk one to one with the milk of your choice. 
    • Gluten-Free: Vanilla pudding is naturally gluten-free, so you don't need to worry about this.

    By Flavour

    • Chocolate Pudding (Schokoladenpudding) – add 2 tablespoon of cocoa powder to your vanilla pudding 
    • Cream Pudding (Sahnepudding) – simply replace 150 ml / 5 fl oz of the milk with 150ml 5 fl oz stiff whipping cream.  

    Homemade Vanilla Pudding Powder Recipe

    Homemade Vanilla Pudding Powder

    Making homemade vanilla pudding powder is easier than you think. It is also free from any preservatives and a lot more environmentally friendly than importing products around the globe. 

    I make my own and since then have not used any shop-bought pudding mixes. (even though I now live in Germany). 

    Ingredients for homemade German vanilla pudding powder

    • 240 g corn starch 
    • 2 teaspoon ground vanilla bean (affiliate link) (you can buy it - or make your own)

    To make up the vanilla pudding with homemade powder:

    Simply use 40 gr of the Vanilla Powder, with 20 gr sugar and 2 egg yolks. Mix to a smooth paste with 2 tablespoon milk. Bring the 500 ml milk to boil and add the pudding mixture.

    Recipe

    German vanilla pudding with fresh raspberries

    Basic Recipe for German Vanilla Pudding

    Marita
    This pudding recipe is a popular German dessert but also the base ingridient for many other German dishes.
    5 from 9 votes
    I look forward to your feedback. Just click the stars above.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 5 minutes mins
    Cooling Time 1 hour hr
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine German
    Servings 4 people
    Calories 193 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 vanilla bean (affiliate link) (alternatively use 6 teaspoon of vanilla sugar or 2 teaspoon of vanilla extract (affiliate link))
    • 500 ml whole milk 5% fat
    • 2 egg yolks medium size
    • 40 gr corn starch 1.4 oz 
    • 50 gr sugar 1.7 oz
    • 1 pinch tumeric (optional for colour)
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions
     

    • Slice open the vanilla bean (affiliate link) lengthwise and scrape out the vanilla pulp.
    • Pour the milk into a saucepan/ cooking pot and place the vanilla pulp on top. You should also cook the vanilla bean (affiliate link) skin as it has a lot of flavours. Start to boil. 
    • While heating the milk, place the corn starch and sugar in a bowl. Add the 2 tablespoon of milk and two egg yolks and whisk to combine to a smooth mass. Make sure to whisk the mixture thoroughly as you do not want to have any clumps. (if you want to achieve a nice yellow colour add a pinch of turmeric. This will not affect the taste, just the colour).
    • Remove the vanilla bean (affiliate link) skin from the milk.
    • Pour the cornflour mixture into the milk and quickly stir. Bring back to boil while continually stirring. The milk should thicken. Remove the pudding from the heat. 
    • Pour into pudding moulds or bowls and leave to cool.

    Notes

    Bonus Tips:

    • To avoid a skin building on the cooked vanilla pudding, place a sheet of cling film directly on the top of your vanilla pudding.
    • Do not discard the vanilla bean (affiliate link) after boiling the milk. Leave to try and use for your homemade vanilla sugar.
    • This makes a creamy Vanilla Pudding. For a firmer texture increase, the cornstarch /cornflour to 60gr.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 193kcalCarbohydrates: 28gProtein: 5gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 110mgSodium: 59mgPotassium: 176mgFiber: 1gSugar: 19gVitamin A: 332IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 153mgIron: 1mg
    Keyword vanilla pudding, vanille pudding
    Did you make this recipe? I love hearing how you went with my recipes! Please leave a quick Comment and star rating. I appreciate your feedback.

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    Comments

      5 from 9 votes (4 ratings without comment)

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Judy says

      November 13, 2022 at 4:06 pm

      I kind of remember my Mom pouring a hot mixture into some beaten egg whites. Is that another version of this pudding?

      Reply
      • Marita says

        November 21, 2022 at 9:56 am

        Hi Judy,
        I am sorry but that is not a pudding recipe I have come across yet. Maybe it was a regional recipe!
        Thanks
        Marita

        Reply
    2. HolidayBakerMan says

      November 25, 2021 at 12:58 am

      Would you say this recipe duplicates the volume that a package of pudding powder would make?

      Reply
      • Marita says

        November 25, 2021 at 10:36 am

        Hi HolidayBakerMan!
        Thanks for your comment. Yes one pack of Dr Oetker Vanilla Pudding normally uses 500 ml milk, like my recipe. So yes you can use if for recipes that ask for a pack of Vanilla Pudding.

        Reply
    3. Genefoodie says

      May 11, 2021 at 5:43 am

      Yummy.

      Reply
    4. Gina says

      April 26, 2021 at 10:22 pm

      5 stars
      I love Vanilla Pudding. I didn't realize it was so easy to make. I'll have to try your recipe next time I am needing a vanilla pudding fix. 🙂

      Reply
      • Marita says

        April 27, 2021 at 8:20 am

        Yes it is super easy. Hope you get to try it. x

        Reply
    5. Mihaela|https://theworldisanoyster.com/ says

      April 26, 2021 at 7:15 pm

      5 stars
      Haha, I had the same problem when I moved to the UK! even today, I scour the Romanian shops for Dr Oetker:)) When I have enough time, though, I make it from scratch, although I never thought to use turmeric for more intense colour. Good tip!:))

      Reply
      • Marita says

        April 27, 2021 at 8:21 am

        Yes just a dash - does not affect the taste but looks more like the packet vanilla pudding - without the artificial ingredients x

        Reply
    6. Taffy says

      April 26, 2021 at 1:39 pm

      Wow will try it out. You made it look so easy. It looks awesome

      Reply
      • Marita says

        April 27, 2021 at 8:21 am

        Thank you.

        Reply
    7. Kalin says

      April 26, 2021 at 12:54 pm

      5 stars
      So many childhood memories of vanilla pudding! I’ve never made it myself but this recipe seems easy enough to follow. Thank you for sharing!

      Reply
    8. Ildiko says

      April 26, 2021 at 12:42 pm

      5 stars
      Looks delicious. It looks very straight forward. Would love to try.

      Reply
      • Marita says

        April 26, 2021 at 12:54 pm

        Thank you. Yes it is a very easy recipe.

        Reply
    9. Andra says

      April 26, 2021 at 12:41 pm

      5 stars
      I've never had rhubarb compote layered with pudding but I definitely need to now, it looks fantastic!

      Reply

    Hi, I'm Marita

    Food enthusiast & home cook. I returned to Germany after living in the UK for 20 years. Here at My Dinner, you will find traditional and authentic German recipes with cultural backgrounds.

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