Any Flavor Pudding Frosting
Once you try this recipe, it just might become your favorite. Any Flavor Pudding Frosting only has three ingredients and it’s super easy to make. Better yet, it’s easy to work with, whether you’re spreading it, or piping it on your desserts. Pick your favorite flavor instant pudding and start mixing.

This frosting is perfectly matched for any cool dessert you want a light frosting on.
Additionally, it’s fun to pipe on, because it holds its shape.
And did I mention you can use any flavor instant pudding? Best frosting ever!

Making Any Flavor Pudding Frosting
Choosing your pudding.
What flavor pudding do you love most, and what will go best with your dessert?
There are several flavors and brands to choose from, such as Jell-O, Sonic, store generic brands, and more.
Some flavors are not so easy to find in stores. For instance, Coconut Cream pudding is scrumptious, but I don’t see it often. You can, however, order it online.
Also, different brands offer different flavors.
Jell-O offers Vanilla, French Vanilla, Cheesecake, Chocolate, Chocolate Fudge, White Chocolate, Pistachio, Lemon, Butterscotch, Cookies ‘N Cream, Banana Cream, and Coconut Cream.
Sonic, on the other hand, offers a delicious Strawberry Shake pudding that I love, and have used many times.
Lastly, sugar-free instant pudding is also an option, although, once you add the milk, the frosting will no longer be sugar free.

Using Whole Milk with Any Flavor Pudding Frosting
Make sure, too, that when you are making instant pudding that you use whole milk.
In other words, don’t use almond milk, soy milk, or the such. In order for the instant pudding to do its magic, it needs real cow’s milk.
Ok, once you have your box of instant pudding, let’s get started.
Make sure your milk is cold and your frozen whipped topping is thawed.
Then, in a medium bowl, pour in the milk first.
Using hand-held beaters, a stand mixer, or a whisk, slowly add the dry pudding mix to the milk.
Mix until smooth and creamy, then add the thawed whipped topping, such as Cool Whip.
Place the bowl in the refrigerator for 5 – 10 minutes (not long) letting the pudding set up, then you’re ready to go.

Spreading and/or Piping
Spread the frosting over cakes, cookies, and cupcakes.
This batch makes the perfect amount for 24 cupcakes, so it’ll work for a 2-layer cake, too.
It also pipes beautifully, and holds its shape well.
More specifically, it’s great for flat roses, swirls, leaves, and piping a basket weave.
In these pictures, I used Lemon flavored instant pudding with a 1M Wilton tip on Lemon Rosemary Cupcakes.
To make these flat roses, start in the center and just work your way out. So pretty!
More Frosting Recipes:
- Cherry Cloud Frosting (uses only 3 ingredients)
- Brown Butter Frosting
- Homemade Coconut Pecan Frosting (used with German Chocolate Cake)
- Pumpkin Pudding Frosting (only found around the holidays and usually online)
- Mocha Frosting
- Chocolate Butter Frosting
FAQ
- Do I have to use instant pudding mix?
Yes. Instant pudding mix is necessary for this recipe because it thickens quickly and helps stabilize the frosting. Cook-and-serve pudding will not produce the same texture. - Is pudding frosting stable enough for piping?
Yes, pudding frosting is generally stable enough for simple piping on cupcakes or cakes. For best results, chill the frosting for about 20โ30 minutes before piping so it firms up slightly. - How should pudding frosting be stored?
Store the frosting in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. If it becomes slightly soft, give it a quick stir or rewhip before using. - Can I make this frosting thicker?
If you’d like a thicker frosting, you can add a little more powdered sugar or chill the frosting longer before using.
If you tried and love this recipe, please leave a 5-star rating on the recipe card and consider leaving a comment below. Thank you so much.
Any Flavor Pudding Frosting
Ingredients
- 1 cup whole milk
- 3.4 oz. box instant pudding (any flavor)
- 8 oz. frozen whipped topping, thawed
Instructions
- In medium bowl, pour milk in first. Using beaters, slowly add dry pudding mix until combined. Mix in whipped topping.
- Chill in refrigerator for 5 - 10 minutes. Spread or pipe on cakes, cookies, or cupcakes. Store in refrigerator. Enjoy!
Nutrition
Any Flavor Pudding Frosting
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My Collected Recipes
Perfect for Christmas, kids leaving for college, someone who has everything, and super great for bridal showers. Give the gift of this blank recipe book along with a special recipe in your own handwriting. Fill in one recipe (or many), and you can have other friends and family add their own recipes to it, too. Personalize it with the time and effort it takes to write out a recipe. Thereโs also room in the Notes section where you can say why itโs special to you. Click HERE to check it out. (I make no money from the sale of this book.)






Love your website
Thank you so much, Thelma, that’s so kind of you. I appreciate your comment more than you know.
Whip cream frosting recipe calls for a half a cup whole milk and that seems to be too much. Frosting wonโt stay firm and very runny. Iโd use a half a cup of milk.
Hi Kristine: I appreciate your concern, so I wanted to reassure you that I’ve never had a problem with this recipe, and I’ve been using it for years. The pudding alone usually requires 2 cups of milk, which I’ve reduced to 1, plus you need to keep it refrigerated. I hope this helps.
I made lemon and frosted a lemon cake today. Very light and luscious! Thank you for sharing your recipe.
You’re very welcome, Angie, I’m so glad you liked it.
1 cup of milk was too much, and I added twice the whipped topping trying to make it more airy. Like some else said maybe half.
Hi Christina: make sure you give the pudding time to set up. It typically takes 5 minutes or so, but if it’s still not thick enough, refrigerate for another few minutes. It should pipe just fine after that. I appreciate the comment. I think I’ll update the recipe card and be more specific about that timing. Thank you.
Question; can this be frozen once prepared? Have some events coming up and would like to prepare in advance.
Yes, this recipe should freeze well. It also pipes better when it’s really cold.
Question
Donโt have instant pudding
Making pudding from scratch with goat milk
Will the recipe still work?
Hi Christine, that’s a great question. I’ve never tried it, but I don’t see why it wouldn’t work. When making the pudding, make sure you reduce the amount of milk by about half what you would usually add. This helps it to be thick enough to use as a frosting. I’m also not sure how long you would need to refrigerate it to let it set up. Instant takes only about 10 minutes, but if you’re making it from scratch, it might take longer. Please let us know how it turns out.
Would this work for lactose free milk?
Great question. The short answer is yes, but you’ll need to experiment slightly with it. Not all lactose-free milks have the same formulation, so one brand might make the pudding thicker, another brand might make it slightly runny. So, just keep an eye on the texture and adjust slightly if needed. In fact, I would start by adding 3/4 cup (instead of 1 cup) of milk and give it time to set up. It’s easier to add more milk. I hope this helps.
It worked great, so great that I made it with vanilla pudding and a second batch with no bake cheesecake. It definitely set up well!
Thank you..
Wonderful! I’m so glad to hear it, and thank you for sharing the results.
Love the simplicity of this recipe! The taste is delicious and is a family favorite!
Thanks, Colleen, I love this one, too.
Hi, do you know if this recipe will work using sugar free pudding mix? TIA ๐
Hi Veronica. Yes, sugar-free works, just make sure it’s instant. In fact, I’ve made it sugar-free before for myself and loved it.