Homemade chocolate pudding comes together in just a few minutes. Rich in chocolatey flavor, it makes a deliciously elegant dessert to serve to friends and family.
Jump to:
- What is chocolate pudding?
- Serving suggestions
- Ingredients
- Instructions
- Tips for success
- Why did my chocolate pudding not set up?
- How do I prevent the skin on chocolate pudding?
- How long is homemade pudding good for?
- Chocolate pudding variations
- Recipe costs
- Kitchen equipment
- Homemade Chocolate Pudding Recipe
When I was a kid, pudding came in a box. Or a plastic cup. But usually a box that I added cold milk to and whipped with the mixer. In five minutes, I had a sweet chocolately treat. #childofthe70s
For my husband, nine years my senior, pudding also came in boxes and plastic cups, but if you were to mix up a box, you did so in a pan on the stovetop. And had to wait hours for it to cool. And risk its forming a skin, which he actually liked. Ew. #childofthe60s
Clearly, we had different childhoods. 😉
Nowadays, our pudding is chocolate and homemade. I taught FishBoy15 to make it today. Super easy. You do have to measure instead of opening a box. And we do cook it over the stove.
And you can let it form a skin if you want. (Not that I recommend that.)
But, the little extra work to make homemade chocolate pudding is totally worth it. And it’s really not much work at all. Takes about 90 seconds to measure those ingredients, and you’ll know that your pudding is all real food. Amen. Hallelujah.
What is chocolate pudding?
Chocolate pudding is a thick, cooked dessert made from milk, sugar, and some form of chocolate that is thickened with either eggs or cornstarch. It can be served hot or cold.
It’s a great recipe to help you use up a lot of milk.
What is the difference between chocolate pudding and chocolate mousse?
Mousse is a lighter, airier version of chocolate pudding. Air is whipped into chocolate mousse, unlike chocolate pudding. It is accomplished by either adding whipped egg whites, or whipped cream, into the mixture.
Serving suggestions
I love this dessert for many reasons. Chocolate, of course. It also lends itself to a pretty presentation. Homemade chocolate pudding topped with whipped cream makes a beautiful and elegant dessert to serve to company at the holidays or to make a regular day just a little more special.
Such an easy dessert for small groups!
It’s nice to have some small ramekins or pots for serving. The ones I have are actually glass yogurt containers from France. They are perfect for homemade chocolate pudding. I was wishing I had hoarded a few more from our trip to France, but then Yoplait started selling Oui in glass pots.
Homemade chocolate pudding takes about ten minutes to prepare and then an hour or two to chill. It’s delicious and easy, so there’s no reason not to make some today!
If you pack your pudding in small containers with lids, you can add them to packable lunches.
Ingredients
Many recipes for homemade chocolate pudding call for egg yolks mixed into it, creating a custard. This recipe is egg-free, making it a little bit cheaper and easier to make. It’s thickened with cornstarch instead.
This recipe is made with:
- sugar – granulated sugar is best
- cornstarch – cornstarch is what helps the pudding thicken
- cocoa powder – unsweetened cocoa powder is the first layer of chocolate
- salt – salt helps round out the flavor of chocolate
- milk – you can use whatever milk you like: cow’s milk or a plant-based version. If going with dairy milk, the fuller fat you use, the thicker and more flavorful the pudding will be
- chocolate chips – any variety or size you like is fine here. I like dark chocolate. If you’re making this dairy-free, be sure to use DF chips.
- vanilla extract – adds another layer of flavor. You can use another extract if you prefer to add a different twist, such as coffee or peppermint.
Can I make this pudding vegan?
You absolutely can! Just swap out the milk for any plant-based milk you like. Be sure to use dairy-free chocolate chips or omit the chips.
Instructions
This pudding is super simple to make. Serve it in pudding cups or in a Homemade Chocolate Cream Pie.
Combine the ingredients. In a large saucepan, whisk together the sugar, cornstarch, cocoa powder, and salt until well combined. Whisk in the milk, taking care to get the dry bits in the corner of the pan.
Heat the mixture. Heat the mixture over medium-high heat, stirring constantly until it thickens and starts to bubble lightly, about 6 to 8 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in the chocolate chips and vanilla extract.
Chill the pudding. Divide the pudding into six 4-ounce ramekins. Place a bit of plastic wrap or waxed paper ON the surface of the pudding to prevent a skin from developing. Refrigerate for several hours until cold. Serve with whipped cream if desired.
Tips for success
- Have all of your ingredients ready. That way when your pudding is ready to come off the stove you can quickly add the vanilla and chocolate!
- Whisk constantly. The pudding mixture could easily burn on you. So don’t walk away. And stir like you mean it!
- Don’t forget to cover the surface. If you don’t your pudding will definitely get this skin on top. And nobody wants to eat that. So make sure it’s not just covering the pudding, but in actually ON the pudding surface.
- Finish with whipped cream! Once your pudding is ready, it’s time to serve! And there’s nothing like homemade whipped cream on top. Be a little extra and use chocolate whipped cream for a triple dose of chocolate.
Why did my chocolate pudding not set up?
This is probably because you didn’t keep it on the stove long enough. If the pudding is ready then it should coat the back of a spoon. If it doesn’t it needs to be cooked longer. Every stovetop is different so use this as your visual cue that your pudding is ready!
How do I prevent the skin on chocolate pudding?
You need to make sure to cover the pudding while it’s chilling. Make sure the plastic wrap is touching the surface of your pudding not just covering the container.
How long is homemade pudding good for?
The best part of making homemade chocolate pudding is that it can last for a week, covered in the refrigerator. So this makes a great make ahead dessert to entertain with.
Chocolate pudding variations
You can definitely customize this pudding and add some fun things to it to have it take on a whole new flavor. Try stirring in some peanut butter or Nutella.
Or try adding a second extract, such as almond or peppermint. Just be warned those extracts are powerful so I would start with a 1/4 teaspoon and taste it before you add more. Try my Mint Chocolate Cream Parfaits for a fun twist on the recipe!
Recipe costs
Knowing how much it costs you to prepare a recipe can help you decide if it’s the type of recipe to make regularly or one you might want to save for special occasions. Let’s crunch some numbers and see how this recipe pencils out.
- sugar – $0.11
- cornstarch – $0.16
- cocoa powder – $0.16
- vanilla extract – $0.13
- salt – $0.02
- chocolate chips – $1.00
- milk – $0.42
Made with non-sale prices at a midrange grocery store, this recipe costs $2/batch or $0.33/serving.
Comparatively speaking, 4-packs of pudding cups sell at the same grocery store for between $0.89 and $2.50. A boxed mix goes for $2.19, but you still need to add milk.
Admittedly, you could buy the low-end cups for just 22 cents each. It’s up to you to decide if homemade is worth it. Personally, I think homemade is a winner. You can get your costs down even lower using the Good Cheap Eats System.
Kitchen equipment
This recipe really couldn’t be easier than it is, but having the right kitchen tools can really make your time in the kitchen more enjoyable. Over time, I’ve honed my collection so that they are perfect for my needs.
- Small Kitchenaid saucepan – I got a set of these pans for free in 2004. We still use them!
- Wire whisk – be sure to get one with a sealed barrel so dishwater doesn’t drip into your food. Yuck.
If you prepare this recipe, be sure to share a picture on social media and hashtag it #GOODCHEAPEATS. I can't wait to see what you cook up!
Homemade Chocolate Pudding Recipe
Ingredients
- 2/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 2 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- whipped cream for serving with the pudding, optional
Instructions
- In a large saucepan, whisk together the sugar, cornstarch, cocoa powder, and salt until well combined. Whisk in the milk. Heat the mixture over medium-high heat, stirring constantly until it thickens and starts to bubble lightly, about 6 to 8 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in the chocolate chips and vanilla extract.
- Divide the pudding into six 4-ounce ramekins. Place a bit of plastic wrap or waxed paper ON the surface of the pudding to prevent a skin from developing. Refrigerate for several hours until cold. Serve with whipped cream if desired.
Notes
Nutrition
This post was originally published on November 30, 2015. It has been updated for content and clarity.
Cloud
This sounds like a delicious recipe. When cooking the milk do you recommend stirring or whisking? I’ve had trouble with puddings before being loose, not sure why.
Jessica Fisher
I typically use a whisk for the regular “stirring” but recommend that you scrape the corners of the pot as sometimes little clumps camp out there. I just take a rubber spatula and scrape the bottom to make sure everything is incorporated.
As for the thin texture, the type of milk and the length of cooking as well as the proportions of cornstarch/sugar to liquid can all play with that. I prefer thicker consistency, so this recipe is designed that way. Whole milk will give you a thicker texture as will using some half and half or cream for some of the milk. Cooking until it is pretty thick will also help it, as it will thicken as it cools. Hope that helps!
AS
Made this many times as written and is such a budget friendly treat when I spy those milk markdowns! Used 1% today and achieved a thick pudding consistency, whisked constantly 8 minutes.
Ciara
Made this tonight and the family went crazy for it. Reduced the sugar to 1/2 cup and will next time knock down the cocoa a bit as I got told it was a “bit too chocolatey” LOL. Is there such a thing? A couple of the kids asked if there was more…! Delicious, thank you!
Jessica Fisher
So glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for your feedback!
MarMan
My mother-in-law has always called my “Chocolate Queen”—that’s how much I love it.
This is the first time I’ve made homemade chocolate pudding! Oh my, wow! I will never buy boxes pudding mix again!!! It’s better than a chocolate bar!
When we went to Albania, they served us “hot chocolate”—it was the same thing—so much steaming melted goodness in one dish! Yum!
Jessica Fisher
So glad you enjoyed it!