Creamy Cool Whip pudding frosting with 3 ingredients is here. Instant pudding frosting is thick for cakes, in between layers of pudding cakes or on top of cupcakes. Make chocolate, vanilla, banana or any flavor you want.

A bowl of creamy chocolate pudding frosting, enhanced with a dollop of Cool Whip, is being expertly stirred with a wooden spoon.

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 5 minutes! combine, whisk and watch it thicken like a mousse that is light and fluffy. (affiliate links present)

Cool Whip with Pudding Frosting

We 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 our kids 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 a few heaping Tablespoons of whipped topping into the mix you get a heftier thick mixture that is fluffier than if you mixed with milk. Think beyond 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 we get it. We have made Brownie Frosting at times but that is more like buttercream frosting and 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. We use a whisk but you could use a stand mixer for this step. Either one works, it 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 on the top.

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!! We 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.

Kitchen questions

What should you use between cake layers?

Frosting is typically what is recommended but we 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 good.

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 whisk a block with powdered sugar. The easiest is 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?

We have bought both and in general they are pretty close. We 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 cold for best results and the tub is thawed but not super soft. Keep in the fridge.

Can you freeze pudding frosting?

If your tub was frozen to begin with we 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.

Cool Whip Pudding Frosting Recipe

By Creamy Cool Whip pudding frosting with 3 ingredients is here. Instant pudding frosting is thick for cakes, in between layers or cupcakes. Prep: 10 minutes minsCook: 0 minutes minsServings: 24 Save Recipe Saved! Pin Recipe Comment Print Recipe

Equipment

1 Bowl
1 whisk

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

Instructions

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