There’s something about the creamy chill of the best frozen pudding ice cream that takes me straight back to summer afternoons with my kids, sticky fingers and all. I still remember the first time I made it—half-expecting it to be too sweet, too rich—but it was perfect. That gentle custard flavor mixed with soft chunks of fruit and a pudding-smooth base won us over. It’s the kind of treat that turns an ordinary evening into a memory.
Welcome to Frosty Recipes, where I’m always on the hunt for easy, nostalgic desserts that make my family smile. Whether you’ve been searching for a new summer staple or simply want to know what the best frozen pudding ice cream really tastes like, you’re in the right place. This recipe is cool, classic, and absolutely worth a spot in your freezer.
Let’s dig into why frozen pudding ice cream holds such a special place on the dessert table—and how you can make it at home with just a few simple ingredients. From regional favorites in New England to no-churn hacks anyone can try, this frozen treat is about to become your go-to.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Why Frozen Pudding Ice Cream Brings Back Summer Memories
Frozen pudding ice cream isn’t just a dessert—it’s a throwback. Think creamy vanilla or rum-flavored bases packed with bits of cherries, raisins, and pineapple. It’s got that sweet-meets-fruity twist that feels both indulgent and homemade.
The best frozen pudding ice cream recipes often come from family-run dairies or nostalgic cookbooks. But more and more people are realizing how easy it is to make their own. Once you try it, you’ll see why flavors like this or copycat Frosty desserts are becoming home freezer essentials.
What Is Frozen Pudding Ice Cream?
Understanding the Dessert
So, what exactly is frozen pudding ice cream? Not only is it not frozen custard, but it is also not pudding. This dessert is a creamy, churned base—sometimes eggless, sometimes custard-style—infused with pudding-like texture and fruity mix-ins like raisins, cherries, or pineapple.
Some recipes rely on boxed pudding mix to thicken the ice cream without eggs, while others use traditional custard bases for richness. Either way, the best frozen pudding ice cream delivers that soft, creamy bite with an old-fashioned twist.
Need a visual treat? Our cookie ice cream sandwiches can inspire your own frozen mashups!
Origins & Regional Favorites
This nostalgic flavor has roots in New England. Long-standing dairies in the region have kept frozen pudding alive with recipes dating back decades. If you love vintage flavors, you’ll likely enjoy other old-school favorites like our red, white, and blue cupcakes that honor classic American flavors with flair.
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Best Frozen Pudding Ice Cream You’ll Love This Summer
Creamy, fruity, and nostalgic, this frozen pudding ice cream blends the smoothness of vanilla pudding with chunks of fruit for the perfect summer dessert.
- Total Time: 6 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
Ingredients
2 cups heavy cream
1 cup whole milk
1 package (3.4 oz) instant vanilla pudding mix
1/3 cup chopped maraschino cherries
1/3 cup crushed pineapple (drained)
1/4 cup golden raisins
1 tsp rum extract (optional)
Instructions
1. In a large bowl, whisk together milk and pudding mix until thickened.
2. In a separate bowl, beat heavy cream until soft peaks form.
3. Gently fold the whipped cream into the pudding mixture.
4. Add chopped cherries, pineapple, raisins, and rum extract. Stir to combine.
5. Transfer the mixture into a loaf pan, cover, and freeze for at least 6 hours or overnight.
6. Scoop and serve chilled with optional cherry or mint garnish.
Notes
You can use different fruit combinations such as diced mango or strawberries.
To make it dairy-free, substitute coconut cream and plant-based milk.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Method: Freezing
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/2 cup
- Calories: 260
- Sugar: 24g
- Sodium: 65mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
How to Make the Best Frozen Pudding Ice Cream at Home
Simple Ingredients for a Creamy Base
To make the best frozen pudding ice cream at home, start with basic ingredients: heavy cream, whole milk, sugar, and instant pudding mix (vanilla or banana are ideal). For more texture, add chopped cherries, pineapple, and raisins—bonus points for soaking them in a touch of rum flavoring.
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Heavy Cream | 2 cups |
| Whole Milk | 1 cup |
| Instant Pudding Mix | 1 package (3.4 oz) |
Homemade Steps You Can Follow Easily
Blend milk and pudding mix until thick. Add the fruit and flavoring after whipping the cream separately and folding it into the pudding. Fill a loaf pan with the mixture, cover, and place in the freezer for the night.
Churned versions are also easy—just chill your base, then run it through your ice cream maker. If you like playing with textures, try adding swirls like we do in the copycat strawberry vanilla Frosty.
Fun Twists & Healthy Alternatives
Frozen Pudding Pops & Hacks
A fun twist on the best frozen pudding ice cream is the classic pudding pop. One TikTok-worthy hack? Place a spoon inside a frozen pudding cup. That’s it. But homemade versions are even better—mix whipped cream into pudding, pour into molds, and freeze.
Want to level it up? Try swirling in leftover strawberry jam for a fruity surprise, or use them as filling for ice cream sandwiches like the ones in our rolled ice cream tutorial.
Health-Conscious & Clean-Label Options
Craving a dairy-free or lighter version? Use full-fat coconut milk instead of cream and your favorite non-dairy pudding mix. Blend, chill, and freeze for a surprisingly creamy result.
This approach is perfect if you already enjoy clean treats like our banana almond smoothie pops—frozen pudding ice cream is flexible, forgiving, and fun to experiment with.
FAQs About Frozen Pudding Ice Cream
What is the most popular frozen dessert?
Vanilla ice cream still leads as the most popular frozen dessert overall. But when it comes to nostalgic flavors with texture and character, the best frozen pudding ice cream is a standout. Other rising favorites include layered options like our copycat brownie batter Frosty, known for their creamy, indulgent mix-ins.
Can you freeze pudding into ice cream?
Yes, and it’s incredibly easy. Instant pudding adds natural creaminess to any no-churn recipe. Mix it with whipped cream or sweetened condensed milk, stir in extras, and freeze. It’s a technique similar to our banana almond smoothie pops, offering the same satisfying chill.
Is frozen pudding the same as frozen custard?
Not exactly. Egg yolks are added to frozen custard to give it a richer, smoother consistency. Frozen pudding ice cream may contain eggs but often relies on pudding mix for its smoothness and fruit chunks for texture. The best frozen pudding ice cream blends ice cream creaminess with a pudding-like density and a mix of chewy bits.
Are pudding pops just frozen pudding?
Sort of! Pudding pops are frozen pudding-based treats, but the best ones include whipped cream or milk for a lighter texture. For a creative twist, freeze them into molds or sandwich them between cookies like we do in our cookie ice cream sandwiches.
Is Breyers frozen dessert real ice cream?
No, Breyers’ “frozen dairy dessert” contains less milkfat and more stabilizers than what the FDA classifies as real ice cream. For full-flavored, creamy results, homemade or small-batch options like the best frozen pudding ice cream offer better texture and taste.
Conclusion: A Flavor Worth Freezing For
Frozen pudding ice cream is one of those rare recipes that bring joy from the first spoonful. Whether you’re making it from scratch or freezing pudding mix into creamy bites, it’s a comforting, fruity, and satisfyingly old-school dessert.
Ready to try it out? Pair it with red, white, and blue cupcakes or a batch of homemade rolled ice cream for a celebration of summer in every scoop.
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