10 inexpensive pudding recipes that shine as a dessert

Thursday 1 January 2026 15:30 - Mirella Mendonça
10 inexpensive pudding recipes that shine as a dessert

Pudding is a dessert that spans generations, bringing back fond memories and guaranteed compliments at any table.

These Holidays, why not try versions that combine simplicity, economy and festive flavor? We've put together 10 recipes that range from the classic to the creative, all with affordable preparation and mouth-watering results.

There are traditional puddings, microwave versions for last-minute solutions, options with coconut, chocolate, fruit and even French touches to impress. These recipes are designed to be affordable without losing their sparkle, because a good dessert doesn't have to be expensive, it just has to be made with love (and condensed milk, of course).


1. Grandma's classic pudding

Classic and elegant, this vanilla egg flan pudding combines creamy texture and delicate flavor. A timeless dessert that conquers with its simplicity.

Flan with caramel - video recipe !Recipe Flan with caramel - video recipe !

A smooth dessert, delicately aromatized with caramel and vanilla. In short, a real treat !

2. The incredible coconut pudding

With three distinct layers: caramel, creamy pudding and grated coconut. This coconut pudding is pure magic in texture and taste. Easy to make and impossible to forget.

Coconut flan - video recipe !Recipe Coconut flan - video recipe !

Have some sun in your dessert ! A simple, tasty, and smooth flan that you'll love for sure !

3. Creamy chocolate pudding that everyone will ask for a second time

Creamy, intense and made with real chocolate, this pudding effortlessly wins over adults and children alike. A classic dessert that delivers flavor and texture in every slice.

Ultra creamy chocolate flanRecipe Ultra creamy chocolate flan

We love this delicious and comforting dessert that reminds us of our childhood. At Petitchef, we were all addicted to the classic ultra creamy vanilla flan, but that was without having tried this chocolate version ! We guarantee that it will be...



4. Apple flavored

Made with stale croissants and caramelized apple pieces, this pudding surprises with its texture and taste. A creative recipe against waste and for pleasure

Apple and caramel croissant puddingRecipe Apple and caramel croissant pudding

We are big fans of apple and caramel recipes. That's why we bring you a very easy pudding to make, with all the flavor of croissants, chunks of apple, and a caramel that enhances the pudding as a whole. Are you ready? Creamy and delicious!

5. Light version for guilt-free eating

Light, fresh and delicately sweetened with honey, this skyr-based pudding is perfect for those looking for a healthy dessert without sacrificing taste. A modern and simple option to sweeten any occasion.

Skyr flan, light and super easy to make!Recipe Skyr flan, light and super easy to make!

Looking for a light dessert without the fuss? This skyr flan is just what you need! With just a few ingredients and a turn in the oven, you get a soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture reminiscent of childhood desserts, but in a lighter version. The...

6. The quick version of coconut pudding

Quick, creamy and with a strong coconut flavor, this pudding is ready in just 8 minutes in the microwave. The perfect dessert when the rush meets the craving for a homemade treat

Microwave coconut flan in 8 minutesRecipe Microwave coconut flan in 8 minutes

In the category of the fastest desserts in the world, we present this coconut flan! Prepared in 2 minutes and then cooked for 8 minutes in the microwave, you calculated it right: we guarantee a dessert in just 10 minutes! This recipe is perfect to keep...

7. There's also condensed milk

Ready in just a few minutes, this microwaved condensed milk flan is the perfect solution for a quick dessert. Creamy, sweet and uncomplicated

Microwave flan: a quick and easy last-minute dessertRecipe Microwave flan: a quick and easy last-minute dessert

Did you forget to plan a dessert but your taste buds are tingling at the end of your meal? No worries, just grab some eggs, sweetened condensed milk, and regular milk, mix them together, and cook in the microwave! This recipe allows you to whip up an...

8. For the lactose intolerant

With a base of puff pastry and a smooth cream of vegetable milk and vanilla, this pastry flan is a lactose-free reinterpretation of a French classic. Light, elegant and incredibly creamy.

Lactose-free custard flanRecipe Lactose-free custard flan

A authentic but lactose-free dessert alternative to this creamy dessert for those who wish to avoid dairy products. With a melt-in-your-mouth texture and vanilla flavor, this custard flan is uncompromising on pleasure.

9. A delicious version of Parisian flan

Inspired by French confectionery, this milk and egg flan with a puff pastry base has a velvety texture and delicate flavor. A sophisticated dessert that impresses with its simplicity

Ultra-creamy pastry flan - flan pâtissierRecipe Ultra-creamy pastry flan - flan pâtissier

Looking for a sublime and foolproof homemade French flan pâtissier recipe? Look no further: this recipe will allow you to easily prepare a traditional dessert with guaranteed success. This creamy flan is easy to make and will delight the taste...

10. And to finish, a pudding with an Italian touch

With its ultra-creamy texture and delicate flavor, this mascarpone-based pudding is pure comfort in dessert form. A simple recipe, but with a result worthy of a confectioner.

Flan with mascarpone - video recipe !Recipe Flan with mascarpone - video recipe !

Everyone knows flan, but have you ever tried it with mascarpone ? It improves this simple dessert with a smooth texture and a je-ne-sais-quoi that will makes everyone loves it !

Mirella MendonçaMirella Mendonça
I am the editorial manager at Petitchef (Portugal and Brazil) and a huge enthusiast of travel and world cuisine, always in search of new flavors and experiences. However, as much as I love exploring the delights of different cultures, my mom's cooking will always be my favorite — with that unique flavor that only she can create.

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