If you’re on the lookout for a dessert that bursts with fresh, fruity flavor and a creamy, dreamy texture, look no further than this delightful Strawberry Pudding Recipe. It’s a lovely old-fashioned treat made vibrant and fresh with ripe strawberries, balancing natural sweetness and a hint of tang perfectly. Every spoonful feels like summer in a bowl, smooth and luscious, yet easy enough to whip up any day of the week. This recipe stands out because it celebrates the simple, honest ingredients that come together to create pure indulgence without any fuss.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Strawberry Pudding Recipe is wonderfully straightforward, relying on simple pantry staples combined with fresh strawberries to create a flavor and texture that feels anything but basic. Each ingredient plays a key role, whether it’s thickening, sweetening, or adding that rich, comforting creaminess.
- Fresh strawberries (2 cups, hulled and chopped): The star ingredient that brings vibrant color, natural sweetness, and that unmistakable fruity flavor.
- Granulated sugar (1/2 cup): Balances the tartness of strawberries and intensifies the overall sweetness.
- Lemon juice (1 tablespoon): Adds a bright citrus note that lifts the flavors and complements the strawberries perfectly.
- Cornstarch (1/4 cup): Essential for thickening the pudding to that perfect velvety consistency.
- Milk (2 1/2 cups): Provides the creamy base necessary for smooth, rich pudding.
- Salt (1/4 teaspoon): Enhances all the other flavors and prevents the sweetness from being flat.
- Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Adds warmth and depth, making the pudding even more irresistible.
- Optional whipped cream and extra strawberries: Great for topping, adding elegance and extra freshness when serving.
How to Make Strawberry Pudding Recipe
Step 1: Puree and Strain the Strawberries
Begin by tossing your chopped strawberries into a blender or food processor, and blend until you have a smooth puree. For that perfectly silky pudding texture, pour this puree through a fine mesh strainer to catch and remove the seeds—this step takes the pudding to the next level of smoothness and makes every bite so enjoyable.
Step 2: Combine Ingredients in a Saucepan
Into a saucepan, pour the strained strawberry puree. Add the granulated sugar, lemon juice, cornstarch, milk, and salt. Whisk everything together vigorously until the mixture is silky smooth and free of lumps. This ensures even cooking and a pudding that thickens uniformly.
Step 3: Cook Until Thickened
Set the pan over medium heat and start whisking constantly. Within 6 to 8 minutes, you’ll notice the pudding beginning to thicken and gently bubble. This is the magic moment when the cornstarch activates, transforming the liquid into a luxuriously creamy dessert base. Keep stirring so it doesn’t stick or burn on the bottom.
Step 4: Finish and Chill
Once thickened, remove your pudding from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract for that wonderful aromatic touch. Pour the pudding into serving cups or a large bowl. To prevent a skin from forming, press plastic wrap directly onto the pudding’s surface. Chill it in the fridge for at least 2 hours, allowing it to set and flavors to blend beautifully.
How to Serve Strawberry Pudding Recipe
Garnishes
Topping your Strawberry Pudding Recipe with a dollop of fresh whipped cream adds a luscious creaminess that melts into the pudding’s own rich texture. Add a few halved fresh strawberries on top to echo the pudding’s flavor and provide a lovely, fresh contrast both visually and on the palate.
Side Dishes
This pudding pairs beautifully with light, crisp accompaniments like shortbread cookies or buttery biscuits. These sides bring delightful crunch and mild sweetness, making every spoonful of pudding all the more heavenly when enjoyed alongside.
Creative Ways to Present
For an extra special touch, serve the pudding in elegant glass parfait cups layered with crushed graham crackers or granola for texture. You can also spoon it into hollowed-out strawberry halves or small decorative mason jars for charming presentation at any gathering or family dinner.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Strawberry Pudding Recipe keeps beautifully in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keeping the pudding chilled helps maintain its creamy texture and fresh strawberry flavor, perfect for a ready-made sweet treat anytime.
Freezing
While you can freeze the pudding, bear in mind that the texture may change slightly upon thawing due to the milk and cornstarch base. If you choose to freeze, use a freezer-safe container and consume within one month for best taste and texture.
Reheating
This pudding is best enjoyed chilled, but if you prefer it warm, gently reheat small portions in a microwave-safe bowl at short intervals, stirring in between. Avoid overheating, which may cause the pudding to curdle or lose its silky consistency.
FAQs
Can I use frozen strawberries instead of fresh?
Absolutely! Frozen strawberries work well as a substitute, though fresh strawberries provide the brightest, most vibrant flavor. Just thaw and drain any excess liquid before pureeing for best results.
What can I substitute for cornstarch?
You can use arrowroot powder or tapioca starch as alternatives to cornstarch. Both will thicken the pudding nicely but may slightly alter the texture or clarity of the pudding.
How do I make the pudding richer?
For a richer pudding, replace part or all of the milk with heavy cream. This makes the pudding more indulgent and creamy, perfect for special occasions.
Is this recipe suitable for vegetarians?
Yes! This Strawberry Pudding Recipe uses ingredients that are vegetarian-friendly and contains no gelatin or animal-derived thickening agents.
Can I prepare this pudding without sugar?
You can reduce the sugar amount or use a natural sweetener alternative like honey or maple syrup, but keep in mind this will slightly affect the texture and sweetness balance of the final pudding.
Final Thoughts
If you want a dessert that’s both classic and bursting with fresh flavor, you simply must try this Strawberry Pudding Recipe. It’s a perfect blend of creamy, fruity, and sweet that’s sure to please everyone at your table. Trust me, once you make it, you’ll find yourself reaching for this recipe again and again, especially during strawberry season. Give it a go and enjoy every luscious bite of this homemade delight!
Print
Strawberry Pudding Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This homemade Strawberry Pudding is a smooth, creamy dessert bursting with fresh strawberry flavor. Made from fresh strawberries, milk, and a touch of vanilla, it’s a delightful treat perfect for warm summer days. The pudding is thickened on the stovetop and chilled to a silky texture, topped with whipped cream and fresh strawberries for an elegant finish.
Ingredients
Strawberry Puree
- 2 cups fresh strawberries (hulled and chopped)
Pudding Mixture
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 2 1/2 cups milk
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Topping (Optional)
- Whipped cream
- Extra fresh strawberries
Instructions
- Puree the strawberries: In a blender or food processor, purée the hulled and chopped fresh strawberries until smooth to release their vibrant flavor.
- Strain the puree: Pour the strawberry puree through a fine mesh strainer into a saucepan to remove seeds, ensuring a silky smooth pudding texture.
- Combine ingredients: Add sugar, lemon juice, cornstarch, milk, and salt to the strained strawberry puree in the saucepan. Whisk the mixture thoroughly until smooth and free of lumps.
- Cook the pudding: Place the saucepan over medium heat and cook the mixture while whisking constantly. Continue cooking until the pudding thickens and starts to bubble, which should take about 6 to 8 minutes.
- Add vanilla and remove from heat: Once thickened, remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract to enhance the flavor.
- Chill the pudding: Pour the pudding into individual serving cups or a large bowl. Press plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the pudding to prevent a skin from forming. Refrigerate and chill for at least 2 hours before serving.
- Serve: When ready to serve, top the chilled pudding with a dollop of whipped cream and extra fresh strawberries if desired for a beautiful and delicious finish.
Notes
- For a smoother texture, make sure to strain the puréed strawberries thoroughly to remove all seeds.
- You can substitute part of the milk with heavy cream for a richer and creamier pudding.
- Use ripe, sweet strawberries for the best natural flavor and sweetness.
