Pudding Mix Is the Secret Ingredient in These Decadent Dessert Recipes

By Marissa Wu June 24, 2021
Credit: Micah A. Leal

Pudding mix is one of the unsung dessert heroes. Sure, we sing the praises of a velvety, homemade pudding, but sometimes, convenience can be just as delicious. Whip it up on its own and it's sure to be a hit; incorporate it into a recipe and you've got a shortcut to a show-stopping dessert. Plus, you don't have to worry about the possibility of a clumpy mixture, since a mix is foolproof for all cooks, burgeoning and seasoned alike. As pudding mix comes in many different flavors, you can even get creative with the recipes and put your own spin on it. You'll find cake recipes using pudding and other easy recipes using pudding mix, including the likes of donuts, trifles, and parfaits. The options are vast; all that's left is for you to pick a flavor and experiment. The proof is in the pudding, and the results are tasty.

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Death by Chocolate

Credit: Micah A. Leal

Recipe: Death by Chocolate

The filling of our Death by Chocolate cake is made easy by some instant chocolate pudding mix. Things are made extra decadent by the addition of some fresh (but simple) whipped cream, both of which are sandwiched between two fluffy chocolate cake layers. It's to die for, indeed.

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Apple and Cherry Pie Trifle

Credit: Photo: Gina DeSimone; Prop Styling: Kashara Johnson; Food Styling: Deb Wise

Recipe: Apple and Cherry Pie Trifle

Pull out your tallest and prettiest trifle bowl for this vibrant dessert. It looks complicated, but frozen pie and some instant cheesecake pudding make it, well, trifling. You'll have a show-stopper dessert in 20 minutes.

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Chocolate Turtle Cake

Credit: Oxmoor House

Recipe: Chocolate Turtle Cake

Fudge, pecans, and dulce de leche? Yes, please. This decadent, multi-layer cake is simply a doctored-up devil's food cake mix with the addition of some instant chocolate pudding.

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Chocolate Parfait

Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Chocolate Parfait

With the addition of some sour cream and whipped topping, no one will know this pudding wasn't homemade. Chocolate graham crackers provide a fun crunch for this thick, creamy parfait that will wow your guests with minimal effort.

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Chocolate Trifle

Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez

Recipe: Chocolate Trifle

This Chocolate Trifle is not to be trifled with. The sheer amount of chocolate, in the form of fudge brownie mix and pudding, combined with coffee liqueur, is proof that this dessert means business.

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Banana Cream Donuts

Credit: Micah A. Leal

Recipe: Banana Cream Donuts

These donuts are well worth the effort. Fluffy, fried dough is filled with a luscious banana filling. Instant pudding mix will give you a head start, so that all you really have to worry about is frying the dough to a beautiful golden brown.

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By Marissa Wu