Description
This homemade chocolate pudding recipe is a quick and easy dessert that’s rich, creamy, and intensely chocolatey. Made from scratch with simple pantry ingredients like cocoa powder, sugar, and milk, it requires only a few minutes of prep and cook time. Perfect for a comforting treat, this pudding is smooth and luscious, setting beautifully after chilling. Ideal for serving as a classic dessert at family gatherings or for a cozy night in.
Ingredients
Scale
Ingredients
- ¾ cup sugar
- 5 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 3 ½ tablespoons cornstarch
- Pinch of salt
- 2 ¾ cups milk
- 2 tablespoons butter
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium saucepan, whisk together the sugar, unsweetened cocoa powder, cornstarch, and pinch of salt until well combined. Gradually whisk in the milk until the mixture is smooth and free of lumps.
- Cook Pudding: Place the saucepan over medium heat on the stove. Continuously whisk the mixture while bringing it to a boil. Once boiling, continue whisking and cook for one minute to thicken the pudding.
- Add Flavor and Butter: Remove the saucepan from heat—the pudding will still be thin at this stage but will thicken as it cools. Stir in the butter and vanilla extract until fully incorporated and smooth.
- Chill and Set: Immediately pour the hot pudding evenly into six serving dishes, each with a ½-cup capacity. To prevent a skin from forming on the surface, cover the pudding directly with heat-safe plastic wrap if desired. Refrigerate for several hours until the pudding is chilled and fully set before serving.
Notes
- Make sure to whisk constantly while cooking to avoid lumps and prevent the pudding from burning on the bottom.
- Cover the pudding surface with plastic wrap to keep a smooth texture and prevent skin formation.
- For a richer flavor, you can substitute whole milk with half-and-half.
- Serve chilled for best texture and taste.
- This pudding can be stored covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
