Skip to Content

10 Easy Desserts You Can Make With a Box of Instant Pudding Mix

This shortcut ingredient will save you time and bring on the flavor!

By
slice of cream pie with cherries on top being lifted from a serving dish
Gordon Sawyer

You know that little box of instant pudding mix hiding in the back of your pantry? The one you bought for “just in case”? Well this is its moment. That humble little packet is waiting to be turned into a creamy pie, a delicious cake, or maybe a show-stopping trifle. Check out these recipes below and find your favorite. Some of them even come with an added bonus: No oven required! (You have to love a no-bake dessert.)

You can whip up these easy sweets in no time, and people will think you spent all afternoon in the kitchen instead of, say, 15 highly efficient minutes. This of course isn't the only amazing dessert shortcut: You can also try cake-mix desserts or you can quickly jazz up a box of brownies. But instant pudding just might be the best trick of all: It's the key to richer cakes, softer cookies and the very best pies. Try one of these!

1

Chocolate Trifle

chocolate trifle with layers of pudding, oreos, and whipped cream
Caitlin Bensel

Want to wow your family and friends? Serve this decadent dessert: Its loaded with layers of crushed Oreos, crumbled brownies, velvety pudding, and whipped cream cheese. Even though it looks impressive, the recipe starts with a box of instant pudding mix and a box of brownie mix!

Get the Chocolate Trifle recipe.

2

Raspberry Cream Pie

raspberry cream pie
Will Dickey

This raspberry cream pie has a packet of instant vanilla pudding to thank for its silky consistency, sweet flavor, and oven-free cooking method. You'll just need 10 minutes to mix up the ingredients before popping the no-bake pie into the freezer for a couple of hours.

Get Ree's Raspberry Cream Pie recipe.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
3

Butterscotch Pudding Cookies

butterscotch pudding cookies on a baking rack
C.W. Newell

A box of instant butterscotch pudding mix is the secret behind the rich, buttery flavor and soft, chewy texture of these cookies. White chocolate and pecans make them even better.

Get the Butterscotch Pudding Cookies recipe.

4

Eclair Cake

chocolate eclair cake in a baking dish
Caitlin Bensel

This eclair cake includes just seven ingredients (one of them being instant pudding mix!). Plus, you can pull it together in 15 minutes, and you don't need an oven! No one could possibly pass up a slice!

Get the Eclair Cake recipe.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
5

Watergate Salad

green ice cream topped with whipped cream, nuts, and a cherry
Antonis Anchilleos

If you’re looking for something nostalgic, throw it back to a retro classic: Watergate salad! Boxed pistachio pudding mix is the base of this treat, while marshmallows, pecans, pineapple, and a lot of whipped cream top it all off.

Get the Watergate Salad recipe.

6

Root Beer Float Pie

slice of cream pie with cherries being served
Gordon Sawyer

This childhood favorite is even better in the form of a creamy, no-bake pie! Adults and kids alike will love the dreamy root beer-flavored filling, graham cracker crust and whipped cream topping.

Get Ree's Root Beer Float Pie recipe.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
7

Rum Cake

rum bundt cake on a red plate
Danielle Daly

This recipe calls for two baking shortcuts, instant vanilla pudding mix and yellow cake mix, which are guaranteed to make your job easier! It's a favorite for the holidays but let's be honest, it's great year-round.

Get Ree's Rum Cake recipe.

8

Layered Chocolate Pudding Dessert

layered chocolate pudding dessert
Brenda Score

Chocolate fudge instant pudding mix is the key to this show-stopping dessert. A salted pecan crust is piled high with layers of cream cheese, chocolate pudding, and Cool Whip.

Get the Layered Chocolate Pudding Dessert recipe.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
9

No-Bake Eggnog Pie

no bake eggnog pie
C.W. Newell

Save this recipe for the holidays: It's the perfect quick dessert for a crowd! Heavy cream and cream cheese make the treat ultra rich and creamy, while a cup of eggnog gives it that unmistakably Christmassy taste.

Get Ree's No-Bake Eggnog Pie recipe.

10

Snickers Salad

snickers salad with pudding mix
Stacey Allen

A snickers salad is arguably the best kind of salad! In this potluck staple, tart Granny Smith apples and chopped Snickers are coated in a rich filling made with instant vanilla pudding mix before the whole thing is doused in caramel sauce.

Get Ree's Snickers Salad recipe.

Watch Next 
Video poster
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below