Instant pudding mix

Pre-sweetened cornstarch-thickened mix that sets with cold milk in 5 minutes. Used as a cake moistener (stir dry into batter), pie filling (beat with milk), and no-bake dessert base. Instant ≠ cook-and-serve. They don't behave the same.

Used for

  • no-bake pies
  • parfaits
  • cake batter moistener
  • dirt cups

In the kitchen

  • Whisk with cold milk.
  • Fold into whipped cream.
  • Stir dry into cake mix.

Picking it at the store

  • Jell-O brand is the standard; sugar-free version works the same way.
  • Mixing with milk it needs 2 minutes of brisk whisking, not stirring, to set properly.

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