Vanilla pudding

About this recipe

Real vanilla bean pudding is a classic homemade dessert made from everyday ingredients rather than a flavoured packet mix. This version uses whole milk, egg yolks, pure corn starch, sugar and a real Bourbon vanilla pod. Scraping the seeds into the milk gives the custard its delicate vanilla flavour and tiny dark specks. Cold milk keeps the starch smooth, while gently warming the yolks before returning them to the saucepan reduces the chance of curdling. Constant stirring helps prevent lumps and scorching. The pudding becomes noticeably thicker on cooling, so do not keep boiling it in pursuit of a very stiff texture. Serve it on its own in small bowls, warm after cooking or thoroughly chilled. Because it contains milk and egg, it must be cooled promptly and stored in the refrigerator. This is a spoonable vanilla dessert, not a cake filling or an instant powder preparation.