No Bake Vanilla Pudding Pie is one of my favorite no bake dessert recipes. Using a few simple ingredients, store bought pie crust and less than ten minutes of your time, you can have an easy dessert everyone will love!
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Why this recipe works
This recipe for Vanilla Pudding Pie works because you have a no bake dessert that can be made with pantry staples and tastes fantastic. It's one of those recipes that you'll memorize and make over and over again.
The pie filling is mixed up in just minutes and is added to a store bought (or homemade) graham cracker crust. The whole recipe is made in less than 10 minutes with just one dirty bowl.
Not only is it simple to make, but it's endlessly adaptable. You can top the vanilla pudding pie filling with fresh berries and cool whip for a fancy summer treat. Or change things up and sprinkle with crushed graham crackers and a drizzle of caramel for a totally different take on the same quick dessert.
Key Ingredients
A few notes on the ingredients:
- Instant pudding mix: I have only tested this recipe with Jell-O instant vanilla pudding mix. Other vanilla pudding mixes will likely work, but be sure they say "instant", not "cook & serve". Also, pay attention to the size of the box. This recipe is written for instant pudding mixes that are 3.4-3.9oz boxes. Make this a pantry staple in your house for easy desserts whenever you need them.
- Milk: You can use any type of milk in this recipe (skim milk, 2% milk, almond milk, etc,) but I do find the texture is best when I use heavy cream or half and half.
How to make vanilla pudding pie
To make things even simpler, here are step-by-step photos to help you every step of the way.
Whip the pudding mix with the cold milk (heavy cream or milk of your choosing). Here's a tutorial on making the vanilla pudding pie filling with detailed pictures of each step.
Add the whipped pudding mixture into the prepared pie shell.
Top the top of your pie with crushed graham crackers, drizzle with caramel sauce, sprinkle with vanilla wafer cookies crumbs, dollop with whipped cream or decorate with fresh berries...this is the fun and creative part of the recipe.
Cover loosely with a sheet of plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to serve.
For all measurements and a more detailed guide, check out the recipe card at the bottom of this page.
Frequently Asked Questions
You could use an oreo cookie crust, a chocolate chip cookie crust or regular pie crust. Really anything that pairs well with chocolate pudding works in this no bake pudding 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!
Yes, absolutely. To make gluten free pudding pie, you'll just need to use a gluten free pie crust. Either make 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.
In our house, we are purists. Crush up some cookies (any of your choosing) and sprinkle over the top. If you are really looking to impress your friends at the next potluck go all out with either berries and whipped cream OR drizzled with caramel and chocolate sauce with chocolate shavings. There is really no wrong way to top this pie.
Make this easy pie in advance
To make this favorite dessert in advance, make the vanilla pudding pie filling recipe all the way through, but don't put it into the pie crust. Instead, scoop it into an airtight container, press a piece of plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the filling and seal with the lid. Store this in the fridge.
When you are ready to serve, all you'll need to do is, scoop and smooth the filling into the pie crust and decorate. The vanilla pie filling can be made up to 3 days in advance.
The best way to store leftovers from a no-bake pie
Leave it in its original pie pan, cover loosely with cling film and store in the fridge for up to 5 days. There is no way it's going to last that long! I do not recommend freezing these leftovers.
One more simple tip
This vanilla pudding pie recipe can be made with any flavor pudding you like. Follow the same directions, but choose your own flavor adventure!
- Looking for something like a banana cream pie? Use banana pudding and top with sliced bananas.
- More into chocolate? Check out this recipe for a chocolate pudding pie.
- Are you a peanut butter lover? Use chocolate pudding, but spread a layer of peanut butter on the crust before adding pudding...top with crushed peanuts and viola, peanut butter pie!
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.
Notes
Nutrition
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