This is our ultimate vanilla pudding, perfect for eating by itself or adding to any number of desserts.

Well, this vanilla pudding recipe is proof that it pays to make pudding from scratch.

Its the perfect addition to any dessert recipe, from trifles to jellyrolls to filled doughnuts.

Southern Living Ultimate Vanilla Pudding in bowls to serve

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

But heres the best way to enjoy this creamy vanilla pudding: by the spoonful.

Ingredients for Vanilla Pudding

This is a fairly brief ingredient list.

Vanilla pudding is all in the technique, so good, high-quality ingredients are necessary.

Southern Living Ultimate Vanilla Pudding ingredients

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

It will keep up to 3 days in the fridge.

Scrape vanilla bean seeds:

Halve vanilla bean pod lengthwise.

Using the back of a paring knife, scrape seeds from pod halves into a medium saucepan.

Southern Living Ultimate Vanilla Pudding in bowls ready to serve

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Warm milk:

Add scraped pod halves and milk.

Bring to a simmer over medium, stirring occasionally.

Return egg yolk mixture to remaining milk mixture in saucepan.

Southern Living Vanilla Pudding whisking together the sugar and egg yolks

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Strain pudding:

Pour through a fine mesh strainer into a large heatproof bowl.

Chill pudding:

Remove and discard vanilla pod halves.

Cover pudding with plastic wrap pressed directly onto surface.

Southern Living Ultimate Vanilla Pudding scraping the seeds from the vanilla bean pod

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Chill until cold, about 2 hours.

Store, with plastic wrap still pressed against surface, in refrigerator up to 3 days.

Southern Living Ultimate Vanilla Pudding adding the vanilla bean to the milk

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Southern Living Ultimate Vanilla Pudding whisking the milk into the egg yolk mixture

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Southern Living Ultimate Vanilla Pudding adding the egg yolk mixture to the saucepan

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Southern Living Vanilla Pudding cooking the milk and egg yolk mixture until thickened

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Southern Living Vanilla Pudding adding the butter and vanilla extract

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Southern Living Ultimate Vanilla Pudding straining the pudding through a fine mesh strainer

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Southern Living Vanilla Pudding prepared and ready to store with plastic wrap on the surface

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox