Pudding is a delicious dessert whether served on its own or in a pie crust. You could even put it in between layers of a cake. There are also different types of pudding, the rich creamy milk-based pudding, rice pudding, bread pudding, and so many others.
In this article, we will first focus on the creamy type of pudding before taking a quick look at other types. So can you freeze this type of pudding? Absolutely yes. This is useful to know as chances are high that you are going to make too much pudding, particularly if you are using it as a filling. You can even make an actual dessert and freeze this, but be aware that while the pudding might freeze well, other components of the dessert might not (for a simple dessert that will freeze well, see also Freezing Rice Krispie Treats). For example, the cookie you use in a pie crust might go soggy. You might be better off making a pastry case that is high in fat and low on liquids. Shortbread is a good choice (see also Can You Freeze Millionaire Shortbread?). If you are putting fruit in the dessert, remember that it can seep moisture and can make your pudding watery (see also How To Freeze Trifle).
If you want to put toppings on top of your pudding or dessert, the best time to do this is when it has thawed out. You may want to spray on cream and add sprinkles.
Freezing Pudding
If you just want to freeze pudding on its own, there are a couple of ways to do this, both of which are reasonably simple and will give great results.
Freezing Store-Bought Pudding
You might buy cartons of ready-made pudding from the store or you may whisk up some from a powdered mixture. Perhaps you have made too much and don’t want to throw it away. If so, the answer is freezing unless you want to use it within the next couple of days. In that case, you can put it in the fridge.
Freezing pudding turns a soft dessert into a rich and creamy ice cream and because of this, it can be eaten as a frozen dessert. All you have to do is to freeze it for a few hours and then dig in as you would ice cream. If you want to defrost it to be a pudding, we will give you instructions later in this article.
One great advantage of freezing pudding rather than storing it in the fridge is that it won’t form a skin on the top even when defrosted.
Freezing Pudding in Popsicle Molds
Perhaps you haven’t thought about making popsicles out of pudding, but it’s a great idea. All you have to do is pour the pudding mix into the popsicle molds. You could also use small plastic cups. Then all you have to do is insert sticks and then put them in the freezer. They make a great way to cool down on a hot day and your kids will love them.
How Long Can You Freeze Pudding For?
It is best not to freeze pudding for longer than four to six weeks otherwise the quality will start to deteriorate. Actual desserts should only be frozen for a month at most as they will deteriorate more quickly. This is because they have pastry or cake as part of their makeup.
When you come to freeze your pudding, make sure that the container you put it in is sealed. You don’t want air to get to it as this can cause freezer burn. Freezer burn means that your pudding will dry out and you don’t want this. The attraction of pudding is that it is rich and creamy.
Frequently Asked Questions About Freezing Pudding
Is it possible to freeze rice pudding?
Yes, you can freeze rice pudding (see also How To Freeze Rice Pudding), but it’s not going to be as tasty as before freezing. However, if you have some left over that you don’t want to eat within the next few days, freezing is an option. The problem with rice pudding is that it is temperature sensitive so the texture is going to change as well as the flavor. You also have to be careful that once you defrost the rice pudding that you eat it reasonably quickly even if kept in the fridge. Rice can be prone to developing bacteria quicker than a lot of foods.
Is it possible to freeze bread pudding?
The ingredients needed to produce bread pudding are temperature sensitive. It is made with milk, butter, and eggs which can all be affected by freezing. A good tip is to not add the sauce to the pudding until you have defrosted it. In this way, the pudding won’t go soggy. It’s not advisable to freeze leftover bread pudding (see also Can You Freeze Bread Pudding) because of this, so put it in the fridge and eat it within a couple of days.
Is it possible to freeze white pudding?
White pudding is similar to oatmeal pudding and it can be frozen as long as you use an airtight container to freeze it in. You can also use a freezer bag but it’s better to pack an extra bag on top to stop freezer burn.
Once you have cooked the pudding and eaten as much as you want, leave the rest to cool completely. If you are using a container, leave about an inch of space to allow it to expand. Then wrap the top of the container with plastic wrap and then seal with an airtight lid. It’s a good idea to put a label on the container telling you when you froze it. It’s all too easy to forget this especially if you freeze a lot of items.
Is it possible to freeze persimmon pudding?
Perhaps you aren’t sure what persimmons are. Well, they’re small yellow-orange fruits with meaty flesh. Their pulp can be combined with flour, milk, sugar, and eggs to make a pudding which is popular in the southern states of the US. It is both sweet and tangy.
You can freeze this pudding, but it could change in texture and flavor as the ingredients are sensitive to cold temperatures. The best thing to use to freeze this pudding is an airtight container that is sealed well. You don’t want frost to seep in. Fruit has a tendency to become watery when frozen (see also Freezing Raisins) so you don’t want to add even more water as it will truly ruin the pudding.
Is it possible to freeze pudding pie?
You can freeze pudding pie, but it isn’t without its problems. There is a lot of liquid used in the pudding, i.e milk and eggs and this can make the crust soft when defrosting. The texture of the pudding can also change. When defrosting, it could curdle or become watery. It isn’t the ideal dessert to freeze for a special dinner party. If you want to serve pudding pie to your guests, it is best to make it fresh. It is more a dessert you experiment with for yourselves.
You can freeze pudding pie (see also Freezing Lemon Meringue Pie) either whole or in slices. If you are freezing it whole, put it into two bags and squeeze any air out of the bags so that the pie doesn’t get freezer burn. If you are freezing slices, use an airtight container.
Defrosting Frozen Pudding
It isn’t difficult to defrost pudding. All you have to do is place the container in the fridge overnight and then it will be ready to eat. You can also thaw it at room temperature for a few hours. However, if you are defrosting an actual dessert like a pudding pie, only thaw it in the fridge. Thawing it at room temperature would make it too watery and this would ruin the pie crust whether it’s a biscuit crust or pastry.
You can always try freezing a small portion of pudding first to see what happens when it is thawed out. Remember, however, that if you want to freeze different types of puddings, the results could be quite different. While a dessert might not freeze well, pudding on its own may work.
Conclusion
As has been seen, it is possible to freeze pudding with good results. However, bear in mind that some pudding desserts won’t freeze that well (see also Can You Freeze Banana Pudding?). It is also important to remember that the texture and flavor of the pudding may change, but the best thing to do is to experiment. Then you should be able to find a way to extend the life of this delicious dessert.
