The majority of us, I’m sure, are aware that pudding may be both a dish and a savory dessert. The French term “boudin,” which meaning a tiny sausage, is where the name “pudding” originates.
Pudding is a term that is used to describe both savory and sweet foods in the United Kingdom. It is a delectable milk-based confection popular in Canada and the US that has a consistency akin to mousse or custards.
Who among us did not consume a lot of pudding as a child? After we finished our meals, my mom would frequently give us a warm bowl.
There is evidence that chocolate pudding has been enjoyed since the early 1700s. And during the 18th century, the pudding was usually served to soldiers on board ships of the Royal Navy.
Like yogurt, pudding is one of the easiest homemade desserts out there while tasting amazing. You can make it in less than ten minutes if you want to serve it with freshly whipped cream. And your kids will love it!
Pudding is usually made either on the stovetop or in a baking oven and consists of sugar, milk, and thickening agents such as eggs, tapioca, gelatin, rice, or cornstarch. Similar to Jello, it comes either in the form of pre-packaged readymade or instant, cook to prepare. No matter the form, there are regular, reduced fat, sugar-free and non-fat versions.
Can You Freeze Pudding?
How many times did you end up with a quite bit of extra pudding when you were making recipes that include it?
There is only so much pudding that can go between the cake’s layers or in a pie crust! I had the same issue too many times, which led me to the question: can you freeze pudding?
Well, I have great news for you – that creamy, delicious pudding doesn’t have to go waste, and you can always freeze it for later use, and with surprisingly good results!
Pudding freezes pretty well, and an excellent way to use up milk which is on its way out is to make a pudding and freeze it! Its versatility is convenient if you want to make pudding-filled desserts such as pudding pies in advance of an event. And having a frozen dessert ready in the freezer could prove handy in case of unexpected guests.
But be careful – while the pudding component will freeze well, the fruit tends to seep moisture when frozen, and any cookies might become soggy. So, my advice to you is to consider adding toppings right after the dessert is removed from the freezer.
How to Freeze Pudding?
Well, there are a few different ways that I know, and I’ll share them with you. Also, to make and freeze a dessert with a pudding filling or layer, you could also freeze containers of pudding on their own for later use.
Freezing this dessert is pretty simple, and when done correctly, it can keep your leftover pudding safe for consumption for up to three months. And before freezing it, I recommend you to let it cool, especially if you have baked bread pudding. That shouldn’t take more than two minutes.
If you have baked bread pudding, you should cut it into small pieces so that it would be much easier for you to store it in the fridge. Wrap those pieces properly using aluminum foil or plastic wrap. By doing so, you will protect it against elements.
You May Need: Recommended Freezer Containers
When pudding freezes, its consistency becomes like that of creamy and rich ice cream. That holds true for store-bought mixes, rice pudding, homemade puddings, and even tapioca pudding.
Because of this, frozen pudding can make a delicious treat on its own – just freeze it for a few hours in a storage container and grab a spoon! Unlike storing pudding in the fridge, the skin will not form on the top of the frozen pudding, so you don’t need to worry about covering it with plastic wrap before placing it in the freezer.
Making popsicles is another excellent way to freeze your favorite dessert! You just have to distribute pudding in popsicle molds or little plastic cups, insert sticks, and freeze. I tell you, these are great to have a quick snack for your kids or an easy way to cool down in warm months, as they are very easy to make.
It goes similar to gelating pudding and freezing it is also easy.
Here is a tip that I like to share: whisk the gelatin pudding with two cups of cold milk. After that, pour the mixture into a plastic cup and insert wooden pop sticks into the center of each cup. Freeze for at least five hours.
Frozen pudding may be stored for four to six weeks, though frozen desserts, including pudding, should be frozen for no more than one month. Just make sure to seal any containers tightly and with desserts, make sure to cover them completely, not leaving any parts exposed to the air.
How to Thaw Pudding?
Thawing pudding, just like the freezing, is simple.
I put the frozen pudding in the fridge overnight so that it will thaw nicely. After that, I can enjoy melted pudding as a snack, or I can use it in a recipe the following day.
Well, it’s also possible to thaw the pudding at room temperature for a few hours. I wouldn’t recommend this, especially when thawing a pudding pie. Doing so would expose it to moisture which the crust of the pie would absorb.
And speaking of pudding pie, I tend to follow a recipe that is high in fat and low in liquids. Just think of crushed cookie crust. That will enable the crust of the pie to maintain its texture while being thawed. 🙂
How to Tell if the Pudding is Bad?
There are specific health risks associated with spoiled foods, so always remember to practice proper food safety and hygiene as it will help prevent foodborne illness.
Although it’s not a perfect test, your senses are typically the most reliable instruments to tell if your packaged pudding has expired.
You can tell a pudding has gone bad when there are pockets of liquid that are separated from other ingredients. You can also know that if you see dark mold or light bacterial marks on its surface.
Another sign that you have to discard pudding is a bitter, sharp flavor instead of the typical sweet taste. It happened to me a few times, trust me – you will notice the difference.
Dry pudding mix is still right if it has been appropriately stored, remained dry, and is within the eat by date.
Conclusion
Pudding, like most foods, is safe to be stored in the freezer.
By doing this, you can extend the storage life of the pudding for up to three months.
And for some puddings, like gelatin one, you can turn them into frozen pops. Actually, it’s a fun activity to do with kids. Check out this video on jello pudding pops.
Always keep in mind that the texture of the pudding might change a bit in the freezer.
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