After a 10-year hiatus, I have been given another batch of Amish Friendship starter. I do enjoy the sweet breakfast-and-dessert style of the generic recipe that usually travels along with the starter, but I'm hoping to find an alternative to the box of pudding mix that it calls for. I'm curious about why it's even there. Eggs are already present, and I could certainly add in some vanilla extract. What is the purpose of pudding mix, can it simply leave it out, or is there a (healthier and less industrially processed) alternative I can substitute?

Thanks in advance!