Kitchn Love Letters

The $1 Aldi Grocery I’m Stocking in My Pantry All Summer Long (I Buy 4 at a Time!)

published Jul 2, 2024
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There’s no better place to stock up for summer than Aldi. That’s because I still want to celebrate the season with friends and food without worrying about my grocery bill. The discount grocer is packed with grill-friendly groceries, individually packed snacks, and other summer staples at even more budget-friendly prices this season. (ICYMI: Aldi is lowering prices on more than 250 items through Labor Day.)

Credit: Joe Seer/Shutterstock

One thing that screams SUMMER (other than ice cream, of course) is no-bake desserts. They’re fun to share, easy to make ahead, and won’t heat up the kitchen on sweltering days. Aldi has practically everything you need to create delicious no-bake desserts, including Baker’s Corner Instant Chocolate Pudding Mix. I buy the boxes four at a time, so that I’m ready to whip up a summer dessert in next to no time. Here’s why you should too.

Credit: Patty Catalano

What’s So Great About Baker’s Corner Instant Chocolate Pudding Mix?

This box of instant chocolate pudding mix costs less than $1. That’s an incredible deal, especially considering how versatile instant pudding can be. Homemade chocolate pudding isn’t difficult to make from scratch — it’s an elegant, even old-fashioned, dessert to serve on its own at the end of a meal — but when I’m using the pudding as an element in big-batch desserts, instant pudding is the way to go.

It’s simple to make instant chocolate pudding with just a whisk and cold milk. I make sure instant pudding is lump-free by whisking the powdered mix first to break up any lumps. Once the mix is ready, pour in cold milk and whisk again until the mixture is smooth. Set the pudding aside for about five minutes to thicken. 

What’s the Best Way to Use Baker’s Corner Instant Chocolate Pudding Mix?

Spoon the rich chocolate pudding into a dish and add a dollop of whipped cream or thawed frozen whipped topping for a simple sweet treat. Use the prepared pudding for a decadent chocolate trifle that looks impressive, but is secretly so simple to make. Layer the pudding with whipped cream (or whipped topping), cubes of chocolate cake, and crushed cookies from the bakery aisle. 

Chocolate pudding is also used in my new go-to no-bake dessert style: delights and dream bars. This recipe for chocolate delight is made with a graham cracker crust, sweetened cheesecake, chocolate pudding, whipped cream, and chocolate curls. If chocolate and peanut butter are your kryptonite, try this dream bar with a crushed chocolate sandwich cookie crust, chocolate pudding, peanut butter cheesecake, whipped cream, chocolate shavings, and a peanut butter drizzle. 

For chocolate chip cookie lovers who don’t want to turn on the oven in the summer, these chocolate chip cookie bars will delight you. Crushed store-bought crunchy chocolate chip cookies stand in for the crust, before layers of chocolate pudding, chocolate chip-studded brown sugar cheesecake, and whipped cream are topped with more chocolate chips and crushed cookies. 

Buy: Baker’s Corner Instant Chocolate Pudding Mix, $0.79 for 3.9 ounces at Aldi (or $0.89 online at Instacart)

What pantry finds are you buying at Aldi this summer? Share your favorites in the comments below.