Cake, pudding-type, white, unenriched, dry mix
Whole food · Baked Products
Photo: Wikipedia
This is a shelf-stable, powdery dry mix designed to create a classic, creamy pudding when combined with milk and heated. The resulting dessert is smooth, mildly sweet, and comforting, with a texture that ranges from pourable to spoonable depending on preparation. Nutritionally, it's a high-carbohydrate, energy-dense food, providing a quick source of calories with minimal protein or fiber.
Calorie split: 4% protein · 76% carbs · 20% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love it for its nostalgic, comforting flavor and the simplicity of turning a few pantry staples into a warm, creamy dessert. Its versatility makes it a blank canvas for everything from a simple vanilla pudding to a base for trifles or parfaits.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The primary downside is its very high carbohydrate content (81g per 100g) and low nutritional density, which can contribute to blood-sugar spikes if consumed in large portions. To counteract this, enjoy a modest serving (around 1/2 cup prepared) and pair it with a source of protein or healthy fat, like a handful of nuts or a dollop of Greek yogurt, to slow sugar absorption.
Key benefits
- Provides a quick and convenient source of energy (423 kcal/100g).
- Shelf-stable and requires no refrigeration until prepared.
- Offers a consistent, familiar taste and texture for home cooks.
- Can be easily customized with added flavors, fruits, or toppings.
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The 'pudding-type' designation often means it contains modified cornstarch or other thickeners that gel when heated, allowing it to set firmly without eggs—a key innovation for shelf-stable mixes in the mid-20th century.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 3.5 g |
| Energy | 423 kcal |
| Energy | 1770 kj |
| Protein | 3.9 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 9.5 g |
| Ash | 2.2 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 81.0 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 0.70 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 77.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 0.52 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 9.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 277 mg |
| Potassium, K | 72.0 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 665 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.25 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.06 mg |
| Manganese, Mn | 0.28 mg |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 0.00 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.08 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.06 mg |
| Niacin | 0.97 mg |
| Pantothenic acid | 0.23 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.02 mg |
| Folate, total | 9.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, food | 9.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 9.0 ug |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.04 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 0.00 ug |
| Retinol | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, IU | 0.00 iu |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 2.3 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.04 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 1.3 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.97 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 4.1 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 4.1 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 2.5 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 2.4 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.16 g |
| Cholesterol | 0.00 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
| Tryptophan | 0.06 g |
| Threonine | 0.12 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.16 g |
| Leucine | 0.28 g |
| Lysine | 0.17 g |
| Methionine | 0.07 g |
| Cystine | 0.07 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.18 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.12 g |
| Valine | 0.18 g |
| Arginine | 0.15 g |
| Histidine | 0.08 g |
| Alanine | 0.12 g |
| Aspartic acid | 0.18 g |
| Glutamic acid | 1.2 g |
| Glycine | 0.12 g |
| Proline | 0.42 g |
| Serine | 0.20 g |
FAQ
Is this the same as instant pudding mix?
Not exactly. This 'pudding-type' dry mix typically requires cooking on the stovetop to activate the thickeners and set properly. Instant mixes are designed to thicken with just cold milk and stirring.
Why does the nutrition list 0g sugar?
This is for the dry mix itself. The sugar is often added separately by the consumer (e.g., with milk) or may be listed under 'added sugars' in a different format. The 81g of carbohydrates per 100g of dry powder primarily consists of starch and sugars.
Can I use plant-based milk to make it?
Yes, but the result may be thinner. For best results, use a barista-style or full-fat plant milk and ensure it's unsweetened to control the final sugar content.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 4.23 kcal/g · 4% calories from protein · 0.7 g fiber · 0.0 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 9.24 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.