Apple Milk Delight

Indulge in a truly delightful dessert that promises to tantalize your taste buds and warm your soul: our creamy Milk and Apple Pudding. This comforting treat perfectly balances sweetness with a subtle tang, offering a versatile texture that can be soft and velvety or delightfully crunchy, depending on your preference. Best of all, it’s incredibly easy on your budget and simple to prepare, making it an ideal choice for any occasion. Whether you prefer it chilled to refresh on a warm afternoon, gently warmed for a cozy evening, or simply at room temperature, this pudding is a fantastic addition to your dessert repertoire, especially as the crisp air of autumn settles in. It’s more than just a dessert; it’s a taste of home, a moment of simple pleasure in every spoonful.

❤️ Why You’ll Love This Easy Apple Milk Pudding

This Milk and Apple Pudding isn’t just another dessert; it’s a comforting experience that brings together simplicity, flavor, and versatility. Here’s why this recipe is sure to become a cherished favorite in your kitchen:

**An Incredibly Easy 20-Minute Dessert:** Life gets busy, but that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice delicious homemade treats. This apple milk pudding comes together in just about 20 minutes of active cooking time, making it perfect for last-minute cravings or a quick weeknight dessert. Most of the time is hands-off, allowing you to relax while it simmers to perfection.
**The Perfect Welcome to Fall:** As leaves turn golden and a gentle chill fills the air, nothing quite compares to the warming spices and sweet apples of autumn. This pudding embodies the essence of fall, offering a cozy and inviting flavor profile that celebrates the season’s bounty. It’s a delightful way to transition from the vibrant flavors of summer to the comforting tastes of fall.
**Works Great with Any Kind of Apples You Have on Hand:** Don’t stress about finding a specific apple variety. This forgiving recipe is wonderfully adaptable, allowing you to use whatever apples you have in your fruit bowl. Whether they are sweet, tart, crisp, or soft, they will all contribute beautifully to the pudding’s rich flavor and texture. This flexibility means less stress and more enjoyment.
**Bursting with Authentic Apple Flavor:** Unlike desserts that merely hint at apple, this pudding truly showcases the natural sweetness and aromatic qualities of fresh apples. By gently cooking the apples with cinnamon and a touch of sugar, their flavors are intensified and meld seamlessly into a smooth, delightful base that forms one of the pudding’s two exquisite layers.
**A Balanced Blend of Textures and Tastes:** This creamy apple pudding offers a harmonious contrast between a smooth, luscious milk layer and a slightly textured, fruit-filled apple layer. It’s like taking a bite into a perfect fall afternoon, with just the right amount of sweetness that’s neither too overwhelming nor too subtle. It strikes a beautiful balance, offering a taste that bridges the gap between the fresh zest of summer and the comforting warmth of fall.
**Budget-Friendly Ingredients:** You don’t need exotic or expensive ingredients to create something truly special. This recipe relies on everyday pantry staples like milk, apples, sugar, and cornstarch, making it an economical choice for feeding your family or a small gathering without breaking the bank.
**Highly Customizable:** From adjusting the sweetness level to experimenting with spices or garnishes, this pudding invites creativity. You can make it exactly how you like it, tailoring it to individual preferences or dietary needs.
**A Crowd-Pleasing Dessert:** Simple yet sophisticated, this pudding appeals to a wide range of palates. Its comforting flavors and inviting aroma make it a favorite among both children and adults, ensuring there’s rarely any left over!

📝 Simple Ingredients for a Delicious Pudding

Creating this irresistible Milk and Apple Pudding requires a handful of basic ingredients, each playing a crucial role in achieving its creamy texture and rich flavor. This is an overview of what you’ll need; precise measurements and detailed instructions can be found in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the page.

**Apples:** The star of our show! Any apple variety works well here, but sweeter apples like Red Delicious or Honeycrisp will result in a naturally sweeter apple layer. If you prefer a tart contrast, Granny Smith apples are an excellent choice, though you might want to slightly increase the sugar in the apple layer. They provide both flavor and a lovely texture.
**Sugar:** Granulated sugar is used to sweeten both the apple and milk layers. The amount can be adjusted to your personal preference. Remember that the sweetness of your apples will influence how much sugar is needed for the apple layer.
**Milk:** The base for both layers, providing richness and a creamy consistency. Whole milk yields the creamiest result, but 2% or even non-dairy alternatives like almond milk or oat milk can be used to make it vegan-friendly.
**Cinnamon:** This warm spice is the perfect companion to apples, enhancing their natural sweetness and adding a cozy, autumnal aroma. Ground cinnamon is typically used, but a pinch of nutmeg or a dash of apple pie spice can also be incorporated for a different flavor dimension.
**Cornstarch:** The essential thickening agent that gives both the milk and apple puddings their characteristic smooth, dense, and spoonable texture. It creates a stable pudding that holds its shape, whether served warm or chilled.
**Water:** Used initially to help the apples cook down and soften without burning, ensuring they become a smooth puree.
**Vanilla Extract:** (For the milk layer) A touch of vanilla extract adds depth and warmth to the creamy milk pudding, complementing the apple and cinnamon flavors beautifully.

These simple ingredients combine to create a dessert that is far greater than the sum of its parts, proving that sometimes, less truly is more when it comes to flavor and comfort.

🥄 Step-by-Step Instructions for Apple Milk Pudding

This overview guides you through the process of creating this delightful Milk and Apple Pudding. For precise measurements and more detailed guidance, please refer to the complete recipe card found further down the page. The process is divided into preparing the apple layer, the milk layer, and finally assembling the dessert.

To make the apple layer:

**Step 1: Cook the Apples.** In a sturdy saucepan, combine the peeled, cored, and diced apples with the specified amounts of cinnamon, sugar, and water. Place the saucepan over medium heat. Allow the mixture to simmer gently, stirring occasionally, until the apples become tender and easily pierced with a fork. This usually takes about 10-15 minutes, depending on the apple variety. The apples will soften and release their fragrant juices, creating a rich, spiced base.
**Step 2: Prepare for Milk Pudding.** While the apples are cooking and their delicious aroma fills your kitchen, it’s the perfect time to begin preparing the creamy milk pudding layer. This allows both components to cook simultaneously and efficiently.

For the milk pudding layer:

**Step 1: Heat the Milk and Sugar.** In a separate saucepan, pour 2.5 cups of milk. Add the granulated sugar and place the saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir constantly until the sugar completely dissolves into the milk. Ensure the milk doesn’t boil rapidly, just a gentle simmer.
**Step 2: Prepare Cornstarch Slurry.** In a small cup or bowl, whisk the remaining milk (from the recipe card) with the cornstarch until it forms a smooth, lump-free slurry. This slurry is crucial for thickening the pudding.
**Step 3: Thicken the Pudding.** Slowly pour the cornstarch mixture into the warm milk in the saucepan, whisking continuously. Continue stirring over low heat. It’s important to stir constantly to prevent lumps and ensure even thickening. The mixture will gradually thicken to a creamy, custard-like consistency. Once it coats the back of a spoon, remove it from the heat.
**Step 4: Cool Slightly and Divide.** Let the milk pudding cool down for a few minutes to prevent it from being too hot when layering. Then, carefully divide the warm milk pudding mixture among six individual dessert bowls or cups. You can tilt the bowls to create a sloped bottom for a more appealing layered effect if desired.

Finish the apple pudding layer:

**Step 1: Mash the Apples.** Once your cooked apples are tender, use a hand blender directly in the saucepan or transfer them to a food processor to mash them into a smooth, consistent paste. Alternatively, a fork or potato masher can be used for a slightly chunkier texture, depending on your preference.
**Step 2: Add Milk and Reheat.** Pour 1 cup of milk over the mashed apples in the saucepan and return it to the heat. Stir gently to combine the milk with the apple puree.
**Step 3: Thicken Apple Layer.** In a separate small bowl, dissolve the cornstarch (as specified for the apple layer in the recipe card) in the remaining half cup of cold milk, ensuring there are no lumps. Gradually pour this cornstarch slurry into the apple mixture in the pan, stirring continuously. Continue to stir over medium-low heat until the apple pudding thickens to a rich, smooth consistency, similar to the milk layer.
**Step 4: Cool and Layer.** Remove the thickened apple pudding from the heat and let it cool for a couple of minutes. This prevents the hot apple layer from melting the milk layer prematurely.
**Step 5: Assemble.** Gently spoon the apple pudding mixture over the set milk pudding in each of the six dessert bowls. You can create a distinct top layer or swirl it in slightly for a marbled effect.
**Step 6: Garnish.** For an extra touch of flavor and visual appeal, garnish your finished puddings. Popular choices include a sprinkle of ground cinnamon, chopped nuts (like walnuts or pecans), a few raisins, or delicate coconut flakes. A drizzle of caramel sauce can also elevate the presentation and taste.
**Step 7: Serve.** This versatile dessert can be served immediately while still warm, chilled in the refrigerator for a few hours for a refreshing treat, or enjoyed at comfortable room temperature. Each serving temperature offers a slightly different, yet equally delightful, experience.

💡 Expert Tips for Perfect Apple Milk Pudding

To ensure your Milk and Apple Pudding turns out perfectly every time, consider these expert tips and variations:

**Choose Your Apples Wisely (or Not!):** While the recipe is forgiving, the type of apple can influence the final taste. Red Delicious, Fuji, or Honeycrisp will lend a sweeter profile, requiring less added sugar. For a tart counterpoint, consider Granny Smith. You can even mix varieties for a more complex flavor. The most important thing is to use apples that are firm and fresh.
**Adjust Sweetness to Your Liking:** The amount of sugar in the apple layer is entirely up to your taste and the natural sweetness of your chosen apples. Feel free to reduce or even omit sugar if your apples are very sweet or if you prefer a less sugary dessert. Taste the apple mixture before adding the final thickening agent and adjust as needed.
**Make it Vegan and Dairy-Free:** Easily adapt this recipe to suit dietary preferences by substituting dairy milk with your favorite non-dairy alternatives. Almond milk, oat milk, or soy milk all work wonderfully and create a similarly creamy texture. Ensure they are plain and unsweetened to control the sugar content.
**Serving Temperature Versatility:** This pudding is truly adaptable. Chill it thoroughly in the refrigerator for at least 2-3 hours for a refreshing, cool dessert, perfect for warmer days. On colder days, enjoy it warm or even hot directly from the stove for ultimate comfort – just be careful not to burn your tongue! Room temperature offers a delightful balance.
**Experiment with Other Fruits:** Apples aren’t the only fruit that shine in this pudding! Pears are an excellent substitute, offering a similar soft texture and sweet flavor when cooked. Peaches, apricots, or even berries can be used, though you might need to adjust cooking times and sugar levels to account for their different water content and sweetness.
**Create More Layers:** Instead of just two distinct layers, get creative! You can alternate thinner layers of milk pudding and apple pudding to create a beautiful striped effect in your dessert bowls. Simply pour a thin layer of milk pudding, let it set slightly, then add a thin layer of apple pudding, and repeat until the bowls are full. This adds visual appeal and a delightful alternating taste experience.
**Prevent Lumps:** When adding the cornstarch slurry to both the milk and apple mixtures, always pour it in slowly while whisking continuously. This technique is crucial for preventing lumps and ensuring a perfectly smooth pudding. Keep the heat at medium-low to prevent scorching the bottom of the pan.
**Garnish for Perfection:** Elevate your pudding with thoughtful garnishes. Beyond cinnamon powder, consider a sprinkle of toasted nuts (like walnuts, pecans, or almonds), shredded coconut, a few plump raisins, a swirl of caramel sauce, or even a dollop of whipped cream for an extra touch of indulgence.
**Storage:** Leftover Apple Milk Pudding can be stored in the refrigerator. Cover each dessert bowl tightly with plastic wrap to prevent a skin from forming on top and to keep it fresh. It will keep well for up to 5 days, making it an excellent make-ahead dessert option.

📣 Discover More Delicious Pudding and Apple Recipes

If you’ve enjoyed the comforting simplicity of this Milk and Apple Pudding, you’ll love exploring these other delightful dessert recipes:

Here is a creamy Pistachio Pudding from scratch, a truly easy recipe loaded with nutty flavor and a vibrant hue. It’s a fantastic alternative for those who love rich, distinct dessert flavors.
Learn to make creamy Rice Pudding in less than 20 minutes with this incredibly easy Instant Pot recipe. It’s a perfect quick fix for a comforting classic.
Om Ali (or Ali’s Mom) is a traditional Egyptian bread pudding, a rich and decadent dessert. It features layers of flaky puff pastry mixed with a medley of nuts, raisins, and shredded coconut, all generously soaked in sweetened milk. This hearty dessert is typically served warm, making it a popular sweet treat during winter and especially during Ramadan.
This straightforward Milk Pudding (Mahalabia) is exceptionally creamy and perfectly sweet, making it suitable for enjoyment in both warm and cold weather. It serves as a fantastic base for various toppings and fruit additions.

More Apple Recipes to Savor

Indulge in our Apple Cinnamon Crumb Cake. It features a tender cake base studded with juicy apples, warmly spiced with cinnamon, and topped with a buttery, crunchy streusel. This delightful cake is perfect for enjoying any time of the year, whether for breakfast, a snack, or dessert.
These Apple Crisp Bars are incredibly addicting, offering all the comforting flavors of a classic apple pie in a convenient bar form. They are so good and versatile enough to be packed in lunch boxes or enjoyed as a quick dessert.

If you enjoyed preparing and tasting this recipe, please don’t hesitate to give it a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ star rating and share a photo of your finished dish! It brings me immense joy to see your culinary creations and discover your personal spin on the recipe. Your feedback and photos are always appreciated. Thank you for being a wonderful part of our cooking community!

What’s new? Check out Amira’s Pantry Store on Amazon where you’ll find all kinds of nostalgic goodness! Thanks so much for being a part of Amira’s Pantry!

Milk and Apple Pudding

A creamy, delicious, and sweet treat that can be enjoyed hot or cold. This 5-ingredient, 20-minute dessert is perfect for autumn.

5 from 1 vote

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Course:
Dessert

Cuisine:
Egyptian

Diet:
Halal

Prep Time:

5 minutes

Cook Time:

20 minutes

Total Time:

25 minutes

Servings:

6
servings

Calories:

227
kcal

Author:

Amira

Ingredients

For the Apple pudding layer

▢
2
apples
peeled and diced
▢
2
Tablespoons
sugar
more or less depending on your taste
▢
½
teaspoon
ground cinnamon
optional
▢
¼
cup
water
enough to cook the apples
▢
1 ½
cup
milk
▢
2 ½
Tablespoons
cornstarch

For the Milk layer

▢
3
cups
milk
▢
4
Tablespoons
granulated sugar
or to taste
▢
4 ½
Tablespoons
cornstarch
▢
1
teaspoon
vanilla extract

Instructions

To make the apple layer

In a heavy saucepan, add the diced apples, cinnamon, sugar and water. Let it cook on medium heat until tender.
While the apples are cooking, prepare the milk pudding layer.

For the milk pudding layer:

In another saucepan over medium-low heat, pour 2.5 cups of milk and add the sugar, stirring until it dissolves.
Dissolve the cornstarch in a cup with the remaining milk (from the milk layer ingredients).
Pour the cornstarch mixture into the milk in the pan and keep stirring on low flame until it thickens to a creamy consistency.
Remove from heat, add vanilla extract, and let it cool down a bit.
Divide the milk mixture into 6 dessert bowls or cups.

Finish the Apple pudding layer:

When apples are done, use a hand blender or a fork to mash the apples completely until a smooth paste forms.
Pour 1 cup of milk over the mashed apples and return to heat.
Dissolve cornstarch (from apple layer ingredients) in the remaining half cup of cold milk.
Pour the cornstarch mixture over the apple mixture in the pan and stir until it thickens.
Remove from heat and let it cool for a couple of minutes.
Pour the apple pudding mixture over the milk pudding in the 6 dessert bowls, creating distinct layers.
Garnish with some nuts, raisins, coconut flakes, or cinnamon powder as desired.
Serve chilled, warm, or at room temperature.

Notes

Use any apple or apple varieties you like. Sweeter apples like Red Delicious are often preferred, but any will work.
You can adjust or omit the sugar from the apple layer based on your taste and the sweetness of your apples.
For a vegan version, use non-dairy milk alternatives such as almond, oat, or soy milk.
Enjoy this pudding chilled from the fridge, warm on a cold day, or simply at room temperature.
Feel free to use other fruits instead of apples; pears also work wonderfully in this recipe.
For a more intricate presentation, alternate thin layers of milk and apple pudding instead of just two main layers.
Storage: Cover the pudding bowls with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 5 days.
Please review the nutrition disclaimer policy for more information.

Nutrition

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This recipe was first published on October 9, 2015, and last updated on September 5, 2022, with important tips, clear step-by-step instructions, and improved readability to enhance your cooking experience.

👩‍🏫 My Culinary Journey with Apple Milk Pudding

Fall in Colorado is an absolute spectacle – the trees ablaze with vibrant colors, the air crisp and invigorating, and an abundance of apples ready for harvest. It’s a stark contrast to my childhood memories of autumn in Egypt, where the season was less about apples and more about the start of school, accompanied by the distinct smells of ripe guava and raw, unripe dates. I recall the rich, earthy scent of Barhi dates or the sweet crunch of red dates filling the air, a sensory experience quite different from the apple orchards of today. Back then, I must confess, I didn’t share my mom’s deep affection for guava or those unique red dates, which meant my appreciation for fall was somewhat limited to the academic calendar!

In Egypt, apples are more commonly associated with summer than autumn, making this particular dessert typically enjoyed chilled straight from the refrigerator. However, here in Colorado, as temperatures begin to dip – sometimes quite dramatically – we’ve found immense pleasure in savoring this pudding at room temperature. But, between you and me, my favorite way to enjoy it is warm, or even hot, spooned directly from the stove. There’s something truly comforting about its warmth on a chilly day, though a word of caution: make sure to let it cool a touch to protect your tongue from the delightful heat! This pudding, with its adaptable serving temperatures, truly embodies the spirit of both refreshing summer treats and cozy fall indulgences, perfectly bridging my past and present culinary experiences.