This fluffy Chocolate Pudding Frosting is reminiscent of that Jell-o Pudding Mousse you had as a kid, only it’s frosting perfection when slathered over your favorite chocolate cake.
Do you remember the Jell-O mousse I am talking about? The one all mom’s seemed to make in the 70’s and 80’s. Instant pudding mixed with Cool Whip non-dairy whipped topping and then scooped into that graham cracker or Oreo cookie crust? It was such a treat when I was a kid, and even now, I make it for my kids, and everyone can’t help but love it.
This recipe came from one of my oldest cookbooks. This “Oh Taste and See” cookbook came from my Grandma when I was in high school. It’s the one my Fuggedaboutit Roast came from. That’s one of my most popular recipes! Recently, I decided that it was time to dig it out again, and check out some chocolate recipes.
^LOVE IT? PIN IT!!^
What four ingredients do I need for this Chocolate Pudding Frosting?
- One small box Jell-O instant pudding, I used chocolate fudge.
- Milk
- Powdered Sugar
- Cool Whip non-dairy topping
Mix the pudding with the milk in a medium sized bowl.
Add in powdered sugar.
Fold in Cool Whip topping.
Stir to combine. And just like that it’s done! Making frosting doesn’t get much easier than that, does it??
I slathered the pudding frosting all over a chocolate cake I baked in a 9×13. If you have a favorite chocolate cake recipe, give this a try next time. Or just use a box mix like I did.
Look how pretty this piece of cake is!! It would have been just fine to serve it just like this. But …. this is a chocolate event and that means ADD MORE CHOCOLATE!
I grabbed a Hershey bar from the pantry and made some chocolate curls for the top. Viola!
Here are some other great recipes that use Instant Chocolate Pudding:
This is my third year as a Choctoberfest participant! Curious to see what I have made in the past? You can see all of my past Choctoberfest Recipes Here!
Ready to make some frosting?? I am!! Let’s do this!!
Chocolate Pudding Frosting
This fluffy Chocolate Pudding Frosting is reminiscent of that Jell-o Pudding Mousse you had as a kid, only it's frosting perfection when slathered over your favorite chocolate cake.
Ingredients
- 1 small box of Instant Chocolate Pudding (I used chocolate fudge)
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1 cup cold milk
- 1 (8 ounce) container Cool Whip
Instructions
Combine pudding, milk and powdered sugar with a mixer on low. Mix for about one minute.
Fold in cool whip until combined.
Spread on cake, store frosted cake in the fridge.
Makes about 4 cups, enough to frost a 9x13 or two 9" layers.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 111Total Fat: 3gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 7mgSodium: 135mgCarbohydrates: 18gFiber: 0gSugar: 8gProtein: 3g
Nutrition isn't always accurate.
If you make this recipe, I’d love to know! Snap a picture, share the photo on social media with the hashtag #AnAffairFromTheHeart – I’d love to see what you made! – Michaela
michele says
Some of my favorite recipes come from church cookbooks from my grandmas collections. There is something special about family recipes people shared in those cookbooks. And they always are GREAT recipes. I love the frosting on this…. it looks like Id have to double the recipe as I know I would be sneaking a LOT of tastes as I made it!
Michaela Kenkel says
Right! No one attaches their name to a church cookbook recipe that isn’t good! 😉
debi at Life Currents says
This frosting looks divine. And so easy that even I could make it! I think it’ll be great for cupcakes next weekend! Thanks
Michaela Kenkel says
I hope you love it!!
Madi says
I love how easy this frosting is to make! This would be so good on everything!
Sandra Shaffer says
I want to dip my finger in that bowl! How special that you kept that cookbook from your grandma! They really did have some awesome recipes. This pudding recipe is such a clever and easy way to make frosting. My chocolate fix is cured…for now!
Michaela Kenkel says
I hope you enjoy it as much as we did!!
Julie says
I love recipes like this. We tend to try and recreate the wheel sometimes when these tried and true recipes are so good and don’t need any improvement.
Michaela Kenkel says
Amen sister!!
Kathy says
That frosting looks so creamy, smooth and decadent. I love how easy it is to make. I will be trying this recipe on a cake this weekend.
Angela says
That cookbook sounds so special, especially being from grandma! I love these nostalgic type of recipes and this is one I really look forward to making!
Tracy says
Do you have to make and use this the same Day or can you frosten your cake the night before and refrigerate it to where its the same type of consistency? Does it stiffen up a little after being refrigerated, so it’s not so melty?
Michaela Kenkel says
It’s thick like a mousse. Frost your cake and place in the fridge. It’ll be perfect the next day!!
SHARYN says
can you make the pudding frosting with any flavored lpkg pudding mixes?
Michaela Kenkel says
Yes!! I have so many pudding frosting plans! 🙂
Judy says
Cannot wait to try this recipe. Can I put the pudding frosting on the cupcakes and refrigerate them the day before I’m serving them? Thank you
Loyda says
I got this recipe from a box of Jello Pudding in 1988, I have been making this frosting for years,it’s the best frosting in the world. The difference is I use the 16 oz. tub of cool whip, it makes it lighter. You can frost a 9×13 pan cake,or a 8 or 9 inch cake. It’s better the day after.
Irene says
Hi! I was wondering if i can avoid the powdered sugar? Was this at all gritty? Help! You have a great blog btw (thumbs up!)
Michaela Kenkel says
Irene – Thanks for the compliment! YOu can omit the powdered sugar, it just won’t be as sweet! Not gritty at all!!
jennifer j janning says
Does the cake need to to go in the fridge after being frosted?
Michaela Kenkel says
I refrigerate it, yes.
Charity says
I’m hoping to cover my cake with fondant. Would a chocolate pudding frosting be okay to use or will it cause the fondant to sweat too much?
Michaela Kenkel says
I am confused? Fondant is typically used in place of frosting to get that smoother finish? I think I am misunderstanding your question? You want to use both fondant and frosting?
Erinne says
I didn’t have regular milk so I used canned coconut milk…holy cow!!! Amazing!! Thanks for a great recipe!
Michaela Kenkel says
That sounds incredible!! I need to try that next time!
Connie says
Made this to frosty “wacky” cake! Wonderful. Everyone loved it
Michaela Kenkel says
So happy that you enjoyed it!
Linda says
Why does the pudding and cool whip need more sugar?
Michaela Kenkel says
It gives it more of that frosting consistency. You could omit it, but it wouldn’t be as stiff.
Shanna says
Looks amazing! Is it pipeable?
Michaela Kenkel says
It’s really fluffy, but I bet it would work!
Joan says
I like to frost my cupcakes using a cake decorator to make them look fancy. Does this frosting hold up well for that? I like to pile the frosting high.
Michaela Kenkel says
I can’t see why it wouldn’t? It is a really fluffy frosting – you may need to thicken it a bit more?
Ruth says
I buy recipe books all the time at yard sales and wherever else I find them, but especially the ones from school and church groups that people sell for fund raising. They have the best recipes!
Michaela Kenkel says
I 100% agree!! They are my favorite!!