If there's one dessert I make on repeat, it's this no bake vanilla pudding pie. Four ingredients, one bowl, and less than 10 minutes of actual work. Then you hand it off to the fridge and walk away. It's the kind of recipe you memorize after making it once and pull out any time you need something that looks impressive but took basically zero effort.
This is also the base recipe for my whole pudding pie lineup; chocolate pudding pie, lemon pudding pie, banana cream pie, pistachio pie, a decadent peanut butter cup chocolate pudding pie, etc. Same easy method, just a different flavor. Once you've got this one down, you can make any of them in your sleep.
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Key Ingredients
A few notes on the ingredients:
- Instant vanilla pudding mix: I've only tested this with Jell-O instant vanilla pudding. Other brands will probably work, just make sure the box says instant, not "cook & serve." This recipe is written for the 3.4-3.9 oz size (the small box, not the big one).
- Milk: Whole milk works great, but heavy cream is my go-to, it makes the filling thick, rich, and almost mousse-like. Use dairy milk only; instant pudding won't set properly with anything else.
- Graham cracker crust: Store-bought is totally fine and what I use most of the time. You can also make this in 9x13 pan with the "crust" from my 7-layer bars. In a pinch, a pre-baked regular pie crust works too.
- Cool Whip (optional): Fold in 1 cup to the vanilla pudding filling to make it extra light and fluffy.
TOPPING IDEAS
This is the fun part! The base pie is basically a blank canvas. A few of my favorites:
- Fresh berries and a dollop of Cool Whip for a summery vibe
- Crushed graham crackers and a drizzle of caramel for something a little cozier
- Vanilla wafer crumbles for extra crunch
- Sliced bananas if you want to lean into banana cream pie territory
How to make vanilla pudding pie
Step 1: Whip the pudding mix with the cold milk. You're looking for a consistency close to thick buttercream. Here's a tutorial on making the vanilla pudding pie filling with detailed pictures of each step.
Step 2: Add the whipped pudding mixture into the prepared pie shell.
Step 3: Add your toppings, cover loosely with plastic wrap, and refrigerate until you're ready to serve.
Pie Crust Options
You could use an oreo cookie crust, a chocolate chip cookie crust or regular pie crust. Really anything that pairs well with vanilla pudding works in this no bake pie. If you like making your own pie crust, try making one out of crushed golden oreos and melted butter or a mix of chocolate and regular graham crackers and melted butter...the option are endless!
For a gluten free option try making your own with crushed gluten free cookies and a bit of melted butter pressed into the pie pan, or purchase one at your local grocery store.
Honestly, if it pairs well with vanilla, it'll work 🙂
Make ahead and leftover storage tips
This pie is a dream for prepping in advance. Make the vanilla pie filling all the way through, scoop it into an airtight container, press plastic wrap directly onto the surface (this prevents a skin from forming), seal, and refrigerate. When you're ready to serve, just smooth it into the crust and add your toppings. The filling keeps for up to 3 days in the fridge.
Leave it right in the pie pan, cover loosely with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for up to 5 days. It won't last that long, I promise. Don't freeze it, the texture won't survive.
Looking for more no bake dessert recipes
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📖 Recipe
Easy Vanilla Pudding Pie
Ingredients
- 2 package instant vanilla pudding (3.4-3.9 oz package)
- 4 cups heavy whipping cream
- 1 premade graham cracker crust
- ½ cup crushed graham crackers (optional for topping)
Instructions
- Pour the instant vanilla pudding mix in a medium sized mixing bowl. To that, add the heavy whipping cream.
- With a hand mixer, start mixing slowly at first (so you don't get pudding mix powder everywhere) and then once the two ingredients are combined, beat until you get a light and fluffy pudding mixture.
- Put the vanilla pudding mixture into the prepared pie crust. Smooth the top and the top with crushed graham crackers, vanilla wafers, whipped cream, chocolate shavings or anything else you can dream of.
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