Instant Pudding Mix Frosting

This post may contain affiliate links that won’t change your price but will share some commission.

Instant Pudding Mix Frosting only takes minutes to make, this icing is light, slightly sweet and very versatile.

Instant Pudding Mix Frosting

Sometimes, I want to frost a cake lightly without a heavy really rich icing. This Instant Pudding Mix Frosting is one recipe I turn to in that case. It’s light and fluffy and slightly sweet.

It’s very versatile as well. I use it in cookie cups, on bars, and on cakes. You can also serve it as a dip with cookies. Fantastic!

Instant Pudding Mix icing

Instant Pudding Mix Frosting

Another big bonus for this recipe is it takes just a few minutes to make. There’s no standing over a pot on the stove stirring and stirring. Also, there’s no whipping for 7 minutes with a mixer.

But, there may be some eating it with a spoon straight from the bowl!

Orange Cake with Cool Whip Pudding Frosting

Instant Pudding Mix Frosting is creamy and light as a cloud. Feel free to experiment with different flavor combinations. I used vanilla on my orange cake and french vanilla on a carrot cake. Chocolate would be decadent no a white layered cake or on a chocolate chip cookie cake!

What ingredients do you need?

That’s easy. There’s just three!

  1. milk
  2. instant pudding
  3. Cool Whip nondairy whipped topping

How do I make this frosting?

That’s just as easy! You make the pudding basically by the directions on the package. That is, combine the milk and instant pudding. Stir it until it begins to get thick, about two minutes. Next, gently fold in the Cool Whip nondairy whipped topping.

That’s it! It’s ready to frost the cake!

How to frost a layer cake with Instant Pudding Mix Frosting

Tip #1: Begin by ensuring your cakes are level; if they’ve domed during baking, trim the tops with a serrated knife or a cake leveler. If they’ve caved, no need to level them; simply fill the cavity with frosting.

Place the first cake on a cake board or plate using a cake lifter, then place the plate on a cake turntable. Add approximately 1/2 cup of frosting. Use an angled spatula to spread it evenly.

Tip #2: Evenly measure the frosting for each layer. Spread the frosting evenly over each layer, pushing any excess towards the edges.

Continue stacking the layers, ensuring equal portions of frosting between them. If it’s the final layer, place it with the flat side up and add about 1/2 cup of frosting on top. Smooth it evenly, and then apply a thin crumb coat of frosting to the sides.

Chill the cake for at least 30 minutes to set the crumb coat. Afterward, spread another 1/2 cup of frosting on top and frost the sides with a thick coat. Use a cake knife to smooth the sides, and then apply the same technique to smooth the top.

Tip #3: For easier smoothing, frost the cake with a thick layer of frosting. Following these steps will give you a clean canvas for your cake decorating endeavors.

While you’re here, check out these recipes

  1. Pineapple Upside-Down Carrot Cake
  2. Carrot Cake Poke Cake with Salted Caramel Cinnamon Glaze
  3. Individual Snickers Chocolate Layer Cake
Instant Pudding Mix Frosting

Instant Pudding Mix Frosting

Instant Pudding Mix Icing is quick and easy to make. It comes together in minutes and is a tasty, light frosting for cakes, cookies, and bars.
Author: Paula
4.80 from 59 votes
Print Pin Rate

Want to save recipes? Create an account or login & then you can use the “Save Recipe” button when viewing a recipe to save it to your Recipe Box. You can access your saved recipes on any device and generate a shopping list for recipes in your collections.

Save To Your Recipe Box
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 1 minute
Total Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 5 cups

Ingredients

  • 2 cup milk whole, 1% or 2% can be used
  • 2 – 3.4 ounce boxes instant vanilla pudding mix
  • 8 ounce cool whip

Instructions

  • In a medium-size bowl, whisk milk and pudding for about 2 minutes.
  • Gently fold in the cool whip.
  • Spoon and spread evenly on cooled cake.
  • Refrigerate an hour to set before slicing and serving.

Notes

This makes enough frosting to frost a 3 layered cake that is 8 or 9 inches in diameter.
  • ©CallMePMc.com All images & content are copyright protected. 

Nutrition

Calories: 243kcal | Carbohydrates: 45g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 17mg | Sodium: 269mg | Potassium: 178mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 36g | Vitamin A: 237IU | Calcium: 159mg
Tried this recipe?Please take a moment to comment letting me know how you liked it & consider giving it a 5 star rating. I love hearing from you!
Do you have questions about saving recipes to your Recipe Box?Visit Recipe Box FAQ!

 

111 Comments

  1. I tried this..
    Two small boxes vanilla pudding (can use any flavor), two cups ice cold 2% milk, 1 block cream cheese, one large container of Cool Whip..
    ABSOLUTELY DEVINE!!!

    1. The cake part doesn’t if you’re using another icing. However, this icing does need to be refrigerated.

  2. Can I fill a cake with this and store it overnight in the fridge? Will the frosting become soupy?

    1. 5 stars
      I use sugar free pudding any flavor but we like it to be a little bit thicker and it sets up good if you use 2 boxes of pudding 1cup of milk it will be real thick then add the 8oz cool whip i always refrigerate till im ready to use and it also makes the flavor more intense 😉 i made a 3 tier cake and put a layer of it in between cakes and a thin crumb coat on the cakes the day b4 party.. next day stacked and iced was a great turn out

  3. 4 stars
    The ingredients in Cool Whip should scare us all! I made this with heavy cream and it was amazing!

    1. Exactly what I was thinking. Cool Whip is an abomination. I’m relieved to hear that heavy cream will work. Thank You…

    2. Hi Sindee, can u pls tell how much whipped heavy cream U used for 2 boxes of instant pudding ? Did u add any sugar?Tia

    1. Technically, you can. It will work, but I think coconut milk will give it a funky flavor. Just my opinion.

  4. Have made this frosting for along time and added a can of crushed pineapple. Never used milk in my recipe. So good and creamy.

  5. This frosting sounds delicious. We are unable to get cool whip in australia. Could whipped cream be okay

    1. Can’t believe no one ever answered your simple question from 5 years ago. Feel free to use double cream (I used to live in Australia thats how I know it’s double cream you want). Don’t feel bad about not getting Cool Whip. It’s nothing but hydrogenated oil. Horrible stuff that’s well flavored to fool us, lol.

      1. Thanks Di, originally my replies emailed directly to the commenter without showing. I didn’t that to make sure they got a reply. I realized often the same question would be asked more than once and everyone could benefit from seeing the answers. I try to reply to everyone if it’s not a duplicate question.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Your email address will not be published. Have you tried this recipe? Consider giving it 5 stars!