Homemade Pudding Cups: Recipe, Garnishing Ideas, Storage & Handy Tips

savouristany

June 2, 2024
5 min read

Less is more when it comes to single-serve desserts, isn’t it?’ When my sweet tooth kicks in, I just look for the quick, delicious dessert that will satiate my cravings. What’s better than pudding cups, these are semi-homemade just mix fresh and convenient products and make a dessert that will make everyone ask for more.

One thing that I adore the most about this dessert that how it can be served in small mason jars and bowls which looks super cute.

I believe desserts shouldn’t take you hours, spare that time for the main course. As to curb my incessant craving, these small batches of desserts that you can make by pudding mix and last you a few weeks before you get bored with it.

Not even us, but my little niece loves whisking up this pudding mix if we are in a hurry and that little munchkin can’t wait to have this small mason jar dessert. She topped it with her favorite Oreo cookies and put fruits over it. However, her help isn’t something you should take lightly as that firecracker wearing that big girl’s pants is more trouble than help (LOL!).

But when I make it for her I like doing it the classic way by adding milk, cream, cornstarch, and other ingredients required and continue whisking till I get the fluffier texture.

The topping ideas are versatile, so be generous with whatever you come up with whether it’s fruits, whipped cream, or chocolate.

Hang on with me to learn the full recipe for pudding cups, why it should be your favorite, garnishing suggestions, and some handy tips.

Table of Contents

What Are Pudding Cups?

Are the pudding cups similar to that of custard? Both might seem similar regarding ingredient profile but there’s a fine line difference between two based on processing.

In the U.S., pudding is known as a sweet well-cooked dessert with a soft, silky, and creamiest texture. Although it’s made up of whole milk or cream but is thickened by cornstarch while in custard, the thickened texture is due to eggs. Nondairy pudding doesn’t even exist in which vegan milk is used.

There are different types of pudding cups including Rice pudding and Tapioca pudding. The rice pudding uses rice as a base ingredient and thickens it by acquiring the texture of cooked rice.

Tapioca pudding is thickened by tapioca just like rice and gets its unique texture from small, glutenous grain spheres.

Why Pudding Cups Are Best Party Delicacy?

Why you will absolutely adore this recipe? Well, who wouldn’t love these pudding cups which are perfect for a summer or Barbecue party because these can be made ahead of time?

Made Ahead Of Time: Make this earlier which gives plenty of time on the party day. Once you are done with making these delicious and easy mini pudding cups, keep them in the refrigerator and serve them when the festivity begins.

Effective Storage Ability: Unlike other quick desserts, these pudding cups can be stored for 3-4 days if properly covered and kept in an unfluctuating refrigerated temperature, but avoid putting whipped cream over it until these cups are ready to be served.

Quick Chilling: This pudding can be chilled easily as you just need to pour the pudding over a deep sheet pan but don’t forget to cover it with wax paper unless you want a whole lot of pudding skin.

Lighter Texture: When we whisk the pudding after chilling, it makes the pudding fluffier and creamier in texture.

Besides that, the flavor is creamy and sweet with nice crunchy notes.

Garnishing Ideas for Pudding Cups

Do you love topping up your pudding cups with creative stuff? Well, unleash your creativity now as this being the most fun part intrigues me to come up with some interesting ideas.

Well the first idea is pretty classic, yes you have guessed right, our favorite gummy worms. However you can go with other candy as well.

My desserts are never complete without lathering them up with whipped cream so yeah I’ll be putting it into piping bags and pumping all over my pudding cups and make ghosts or faces over it. (Time to test your artistic bone, LOL) Another thing is that smoke the cream, it might sound weird but the aroma interfaces and you will just fall in love with it all over again.

You can fill up the piping bag with melted chocolate too and make emoji faces for a fun treat.

You can add biscuit crumbs too for a nice crunch with creamy pudding cups.

You can also add fruit chunks if raspberries and strawberries for a fresh touch and unique taste.

Another of my favorite garnishing ideas is putting caramel over these cups and believe me you won’t regret it a bit.

How To Store Pudding Cups?

Should you store it? I won’t particularly recommend it as these pudding cups will start to get deflated and soggy just after one day. Still, the taste will remain epic even after a day has passed but not as fresh as it was on day 1.

But if you keep it in the refrigerator and put it in an airtight container, it will stay fine for three days.

FAQs on Pudding Cups

These sweet desserts are made with whole milk or flavored fruit juices thickened with cornstarch, flour, bread, eggs, and cream. There are different types of puddings as well like corn pudding, custards, soufflé kind of dessert, and vegetable purées.

No, a cake is a dessert served on a plate and is usually eaten with a fork and has a crumbly texture while the pudding is made with cream and closely resembles custard and is usually eaten with a spoon. Pudding isn’t necessarily sweet as it could be savory and unsweetened too like steaks.