Description

This rich and creamy Chocolate Pudding recipe is a classic dessert that’s smooth, velvety, and easy to make. Combining unsweetened cocoa powder, sugar, and cornstarch cooked with whole milk, it’s a decadent treat perfect for any occasion. With simple pantry ingredients and a straightforward stovetop cooking process, you’ll have a luscious homemade pudding ready to chill and serve with optional whipped cream and chocolate shavings for an extra indulgent touch.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

½ cup granulated or superfine sugar
⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder (preferably natural, not Dutch processed)
3 tbsp cornstarch
Pinch of salt

Wet Ingredients

2½ cups whole milk (or almond/oat milk for dairy-free option)
2 tbsp unsalted butter (or coconut oil/dairy-free butter for dairy-free option)
1 tsp vanilla extract

Optional Toppings

Whipped cream
Chocolate shavings

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Combine dry ingredients: In a saucepan off the heat, whisk together the sugar, cocoa powder, cornstarch, and salt thoroughly to ensure even distribution and prevent clumping.
Add milk and mix: Gradually add the milk to the dry mix and whisk continuously until the mixture is smooth and fully blended.
Cook pudding: Place the saucepan over medium heat and cook the mixture while whisking constantly. Continue stirring until the pudding thickens and just starts to bubble, which typically takes about 10 minutes. This step ensures the cornstarch activates to thicken the pudding properly.
Finish and flavor: Immediately remove the saucepan from heat once thickened. Stir in the butter and vanilla extract, whisking until the butter melts completely and the pudding achieves a smooth, creamy consistency.
Chill pudding: Pour the pudding into a bowl or individual serving dishes. Press plastic wrap directly onto the surface to prevent a skin from forming. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours to fully set and chill the pudding.
Serve: After chilling, serve the pudding topped with freshly whipped cream and chocolate shavings if desired, adding extra flavor and texture.

Notes

Use natural cocoa powder instead of Dutch processed for a more intense chocolate flavor.
For a dairy-free version, substitute whole milk with almond or oat milk and butter with coconut oil or dairy-free butter.
Constant whisking during cooking is essential to prevent lumps and ensure a smooth pudding.
Pressing plastic wrap directly on the pudding surface prevents a skin from forming while chilling.
Chill time can be extended up to 4 hours or overnight for firmer pudding.