When you’re craving something sweet and satisfying but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen, look no further than this Creamy Layered Delight: The Perfect No-Bake Biscuit Pudding. A delightful and easy-to-make dessert, it features layers of creamy, silky custard and crunchy biscuit crumbs, giving you a perfect combination of textures. This simple yet indulgent pudding is ideal for any occasion, from family gatherings to casual get-togethers with friends, and it is especially handy when you are pressed for time but still want to wow your guests with something special.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
There’s something irresistibly comforting about a no-bake dessert, especially one that doesn’t require extensive preparation or cooking. This biscuit pudding is incredibly versatile and can be customized with different biscuits, flavors, or toppings. The combination of smooth, rich custard with crisp biscuit layers is a winning one, and the beauty of this dish is that it can be made ahead of time, saving you the stress of last-minute preparation. Plus, the best part is that it’s a no-bake recipe, meaning you won’t need to worry about turning on the stove or oven on a hot day.
The creamy texture of the custard paired with the crunchiness of the biscuits creates a delightful contrast in each bite, making it a treat that’s hard to resist. And as it sets in the fridge, it gives you ample time to prepare other dishes or simply relax and enjoy the anticipation of indulging in this sweet creation.
Whether you’re hosting a dinner party, celebrating a special occasion, or simply treating yourself after a long day, this no-bake biscuit pudding is bound to become a favorite. So, gather the ingredients and get ready to impress everyone with this easy-to-make, delicious dessert!
Ingredients You’ll Need
To make this Creamy Layered Delight dessert, you only need a few simple ingredients that are easy to find at most grocery stores:
- 3 cups (700ml) whole milk: The creamy base of your pudding. Whole milk adds richness, but you can also use skim milk for a lighter version.
- 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk: This adds sweetness and creaminess to the pudding, giving it that decadent, velvety texture.
- 4 tablespoons cornstarch: Cornstarch is used as a thickening agent to help set the custard and give it the desired pudding-like consistency.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: For flavor. Vanilla complements the creamy custard and enhances its richness.
- 2 packets of digestive or graham crackers (or any plain biscuits you prefer): These biscuits serve as the base of the dessert, providing texture and crunch that balances the creaminess of the custard.
- ¼ cup butter (optional, for extra richness): Adding butter makes the custard even more luxurious and smooth. If you prefer a lighter version, you can skip the butter.
- Crushed biscuits or graham crackers (for topping): These are used as the final garnish for extra crunch on top, adding a nice contrast to the soft custard layers.
These ingredients are simple, yet they come together to create a wonderfully indulgent dessert that everyone will love.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Creamy Custard Base
In a medium saucepan, combine the whole milk, sweetened condensed milk, and cornstarch. Whisk until the cornstarch is completely dissolved and no lumps remain. It’s important to ensure the mixture is smooth before heating to avoid any clumps in your custard.
Next, heat the saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly to prevent the mixture from burning or sticking to the bottom of the pan. As it heats up, the mixture will begin to thicken. Continue stirring for about 5 to 7 minutes until it reaches a custard-like consistency. This process is crucial because it gives the pudding its signature creamy texture.
Once the custard has thickened, remove the pan from the heat. Stir in the vanilla extract for flavor. If you’re adding butter, this is the time to do so—just stir it in until it’s fully melted and incorporated. The butter will make the custard even more smooth and velvety, adding an extra layer of indulgence.
Step 2: Layer the Biscuits
Now it’s time to prepare the biscuit layers. Take the two packets of digestive biscuits (or graham crackers) and crush them into fine crumbs. You can do this by placing them in a ziplock bag and gently smashing them with a rolling pin, or using a food processor to achieve a finer texture.
In the bottom of a deep dish or a baking dish, spread a thin, even layer of the crushed biscuits. This will act as the base of your dessert, giving it that satisfying crunch as you enjoy the creamy custard layers on top. The biscuits should cover the entire base of the dish, but don’t press them down too hard—just a gentle, even spread will do.
Step 3: Layer the Custard
Once your biscuits are spread out, it’s time to pour half of the custard mixture over the biscuit layer. Use a spoon or spatula to gently spread the custard, ensuring it covers the biscuits evenly. The custard should sink into the biscuit crumbs slightly, creating a nice contrast of texture when it sets.
Add another layer of crushed biscuits on top of the custard, pressing them down gently. This layer will add more crunch to the dessert and create a beautiful visual effect as the layers stack up.
Step 4: Add Another Custard Layer
Next, pour the remaining custard mixture over the second biscuit layer, spreading it evenly. Make sure that the custard completely covers the biscuits for a smooth and even surface. The custard should be thick enough to hold its shape, but still smooth and creamy.
Step 5: Finish with Crushed Biscuits
To complete the dessert, sprinkle a generous amount of crushed biscuits or graham crackers over the top layer of custard. This adds a delightful crunch to the top of the dessert and creates a nice visual contrast to the creamy custard below.
Step 6: Chill and Serve
Now that your dessert is layered, it’s time to let it set in the fridge. Cover the dish with plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or preferably overnight, so that the custard has time to fully set and firm up. The longer you chill the dessert, the better the flavors will meld together.
After the pudding has chilled, it’s ready to serve! Slice it into squares or scoop out portions with a spoon, and enjoy the delightful combination of creamy custard and crunchy biscuits. This dessert is rich, comforting, and incredibly satisfying.
Tips for Perfecting Your Biscuit Pudding
- Use High-Quality Biscuits: While you can use any plain biscuit or cracker you prefer, digestive biscuits and graham crackers work best for this recipe because of their mild sweetness and texture.
- Chill Overnight: For the best results, allow the pudding to chill overnight. This gives it enough time to fully set and develop a deeper flavor. Plus, it makes the dessert even easier to serve the next day!
- Customize the Flavor: Feel free to add your own twist to this dessert by incorporating other flavors. You can experiment with adding a bit of cocoa powder to the custard for a chocolate version or top it with fresh berries, shredded coconut, or chopped nuts for extra flavor and texture.
- Adjust Sweetness: If you prefer a less sweet dessert, you can adjust the amount of sweetened condensed milk or use a sugar-free version. Just keep in mind that this may alter the overall texture of the pudding.
- Serve with Whipped Cream: For an extra indulgent treat, serve the pudding with a dollop of freshly whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. It will add an extra layer of decadence to the dish.
Nutritional Information
This Creamy Layered Delight is a rich, indulgent treat, and each serving contains about 300 calories. The dessert is made to serve eight people, making it an ideal size for a family or a small gathering. While it’s a bit on the sweeter side, it’s a wonderful way to treat yourself to something delicious without too much effort.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cooking Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes + chilling time
- Calories: 300 per serving
- Servings: 8
Conclusion
This Creamy Layered Delight: The Perfect No-Bake Biscuit Pudding is the kind of dessert that everyone will rave about, and you’ll love how simple it is to prepare. The balance of creamy custard and crunchy biscuits makes it irresistible, and the fact that it doesn’t require any baking makes it a perfect option when you’re short on time. Whether you’re preparing a special treat for a celebration or just looking to indulge, this dessert is sure to impress.
