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Dessert Recipes

Cool Whip Pudding Frosting

Creamy Cool Whip pudding frosting with 3 ingredients is here. Instant pudding frosting is thick for cakes, in between layers

  • Serves 24
  • Prep 10 minutes

cool whipmilkpudding mix

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Instant pudding mix frosting can be made in any flavor. Jello has a ton of options which means you can dress any desserts with this since it can be made in just 5 minutes! Just combine, whisk and watch it thicken like a mousse that is light and fluffy. (affiliate links present)

Cool Whip with Pudding Frosting

I made this years and years ago, but never wrote up an article about it. Mostly used on top of our sweet Mug Cake with Cake Mix recipe ideas because it was an easy way to jazz up a treat that my kids just loved and wanted to share with their friends. They could make it themselves too which was an extra excitement for them when they were little.

How do you make pudding extra thick?

This is how!! If you add a tub, or even just a few heaping Tablespoons of whipped topping into the mix you get a heftier thick mixture that is fluffier than if you just mixed with milk. Think beyond just cakes though with this one. We showed you How to Make Cookie Cups earlier and squeezed in the middle of these is such a fun finger food at parties.

Instant pudding frosting: creamy and easy-to-make topping for cakes and desserts

If you are all about chocolate, first off I get it. 😉 I have made Brownie Frosting at times but that is more like buttercream frosting and very dense. This is easier and has a creamier consistency. Next time you are baking think of switching what you normally would top your cakes and cookies with and use this instead!

How to Make Pudding Frosting

In a large mixing bowl you want to combine the white chocolate pudding mix (or flavor of choice) and cold milk. I use a whisk but you could use a stand mixer for this step. Either one works, it just takes more work with “elbow grease”.

  • You will whisk this together for a few minutes, until it starts to thicken.
  • Let the mixture sit for a few minutes to fully set and thicken even more.
  • Once the pudding mixture has set, gently fold in the Cool Whip that has thawed a bit until well combined with a spatula or whisk. Fold into the pudding mixture, without deflatomg it.
  • Once the frosting is ready, you can use it immediately by spreading evenly over the surface of your Banana snack Cake and cupcakes using a spatula or piping bag, as desired.

This will coat 24 cupcakes easily or the top and center of two round cakes. The consistency is kind of like our Cool Whip Coffee Frosting. You can use it in between the layers of cakes that have a few and you want something sweet in between them or just on the top.

How to make Jell-O pudding frosting

Whipped Cream Frosting with Pudding

Now if it is Fall, we have made this with vanilla Jello pudding with a dollop on top of our Pumpkin Pudding Cake and wow!! I would use the same base flavor if you want to incorporate any other flavors or pair it with something you want to stand out, like our Christmas Cream Cheese Peppermint Frosting too.

FAQ

Frosting is typically what is recommended but I will say that our pudding frosting recipe we share here is creamier and lighter! Creating more of a Boston cream like filling you can make it with some instant pudding and milk. Cheap and in several flavors like chocolate, vanilla and even pistachio is delicious.

You can make an easy 3 ingredient frosting with milk, Cool Whip and instant pudding. For a cream cheese flavor you just whisk a block with powdered sugar. The easiest is just confectioners sugar and a bit of milk, not as thick as others but works as an easy glaze recipe of sorts for sweetness.

While the exact ingredients can vary slightly depending on the variety and brand, here’s a general list of ingredients; The primary ingredient in this name brand whipped topping is water, hydrogenated vegetable oil, high fructose corn syrup, skim milk and xanthan gum or guar gum are thickening agents commonly used.

I have bought both and in general they are pretty close. I will say that the brand name does tend to feel a bit fluffier, store brands feel a bit more dense if you had them side by side but there isn’t a huge difference you would notice.

Cool Whip mixed with pudding frosting: a creamy and smooth topping for desserts and cakes

This makes a great version of Cream Cheese Frosting Without Butter if you can find the sour cream boxed version. Or use 1/2 cup of cheesecake yogurt with the milk in the first steps. It is best if the dairy at the beginning is very cold for best results and the tub is just thawed but not super soft. Keep in the fridge.

Can you freeze pudding frosting?

If your tub was frozen to begin with I would not refreeze it again, that usually will change the texture in a not so great way. Instead, store leftovers in a sealed container or sealed freezer bag in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Before using, let it come to room temperature and gently stir before adding on top of your Microwave Chocolate Mug Cake. Jump to recipe and get started.

A jar filled with layers of cool whip frosting, crumbs, and a silky cream cheese frosting without butter, topped with more whipped cream and crumbs on a wooden surface.

Recipe card

Cool Whip Pudding Frosting Recipe

Creamy Cool Whip pudding frosting with 3 ingredients is here. Instant pudding frosting is thick for cakes, in between layers or cupcakes.

  • Serves 24
  • Prep 10 minutes
  • Course Dessert
  • Cuisine American

Ingredients

  • 1 box instant pudding (3.4 oz)
  • 1 cup milk (cold, may add a bit more if you want it thinned out)
  • 1 container cool whip (8 oz, thawed)

Method

  1. 1

    In a mixing bowl, combine the instant pudding mix and cold milk. Whisk together for about 2-3 minutes, until it starts to really thicken. Let the pudding mixture sit for a few minutes to fully set and thicken.

  2. 2

    Once the pudding mixture has set, gently fold in the thawed Cool Whip until well combined. Use a spatula to gently fold into the pudding mixture, being careful not to deflate it.

  3. 3

    Once the frosting is ready, you can use it immediately to frost your cakes, cupcakes, or desserts. Spread the frosting evenly over the surface of your dessert using a spatula or piping bag, as desired.

  4. 4

    Store leftovers in a sealed container or sealed freezer bag in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Before using, let the frosting come to room temperature and give it a gentle stir to re-incorporate any separated ingredients.

Equipment

  • 1 Bowl
  • 1 whisk

Nutrition

  • Serving2 oz
  • Calories40 kcal
  • Carbohydrates7 g
  • Protein1 g
  • Fat1 g
  • Saturated Fat1 g
  • Polyunsaturated Fat0.1 g
  • Monounsaturated Fat0.2 g
  • Cholesterol4 mg
  • Sodium39 mg
  • Potassium38 mg
  • Fiber0.1 g
  • Sugar6 g
  • Vitamin A45 IU
  • Calcium32 mg
  • Iron0.01 mg

Questions

What should you use between cake layers?

Frosting is typically what is recommended but I will say that our pudding frosting recipe we share here is creamier and lighter! Creating more of a Boston cream like filling you can make it with some instant pudding and milk. Cheap and in several flavors like chocolate, vanilla and even pistachio is delicious.

What are the components of frosting?

You can make an easy 3 ingredient frosting with milk, Cool Whip and instant pudding. For a cream cheese flavor you just whisk a block with powdered sugar. The easiest is just confectioners sugar and a bit of milk, not as thick as others but works as an easy glaze recipe of sorts for sweetness.

What is in Cool Whip?

While the exact ingredients can vary slightly depending on the variety and brand, here’s a general list of ingredients; The primary ingredient in this name brand whipped topping is water, hydrogenated vegetable oil, high fructose corn syrup, skim milk and xanthan gum or guar gum are thickening agents commonly used.

Does generic whipped topping and Cool Whip taste the same?

I have bought both and in general they are pretty close. I will say that the brand name does tend to feel a bit fluffier, store brands feel a bit more dense if you had them side by side but there isn’t a huge difference you would notice.