To me, homemade chocolate pudding is a super comfort food. First because it’s chocolate and second because it was one of my favorite things as a kid.
Aside from being a favorite, what makes it even better is how easy this version of my this simple homemade chocolate pudding recipe is to make. Much like the other recipes, there are a million ways to enhance this basic chocolate pudding with a few add-ins at the end. Without further ado, let’s put on an apron and get to it. 😊
Homemade Chocolate Pudding
Ingredients: Makes 4 to 6 servings
- 1 cup cream
- 1 ½ cups whole milk
- ⅔ cup sugar
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- ⅛ teaspoon Kosher salt (dash)
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla paste
- 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- Optional: whipped cream
Directions:
In a small bowl combine the cornstarch and ½ cup of milk. Whisk them together to blend until smooth and there are no lumps.
In a medium saucepan, combine the remaining milk, cream, sugar, and salt. Stir until the sugar is dissolved. Cook the mixture over medium-low heat until you start to see steam rising from the surface.
Whisk the cornstarch a bit then slowly whisk it into the hot milk mixture; continue to whisk the pudding until all the cornstarch mixture is incorporated. Raise the heat just a bit. Cook about 3 to 4 minutes, stir occasionally until the mixture starts to thicken, and it’s barely to the boiling point. It will form slow bubbles making a plopping sound when that happens. Immediately lower the heat to a very low setting and stir continuously for an additional 3 to 4 minutes until it thickens. The pudding is done when it starts to stick to the side of the pan. When that happens, add the butter, vanilla and chocolate chips, stirring until they’re incorporated into the pudding. Whisk the hot pudding a bit at the end to smooth it out.
Pour the pudding into a medium bowl or 4 to 6 small dessert dishes. Place a piece of plastic wrap directly onto the pudding to prevent a skin from forming. Refrigerate until chilled, garnish with whipped cream and serve, or it will keep nicely for the next day.
- Chocolate Peanut Butter: Add 2 to 3 tablespoons smooth peanut butter and stir it in with the semi-sweet chocolate chips, butter, and vanilla until combined. Garnish with a few peanut butter and chocolate chips.
- Chocolate & Mint: Replace the vanilla paste with 2 teaspoons mint extract. Garnish with a few mini Junior Mints or mint candies.
- Rocky Road: When the pudding is cooled, fold in 1/2 cup each mini marshmallows, chopped toasted walnuts and ½ cup of mini chocolate chips. Garnish with a few of the walnuts, marshmallows, and mini chocolate chips.
Wine Or Beverage Pairing Suggestions: Coffee and tea are always a good choice with a simple dessert like this. However, if you really want to treat your guests, why not serve it with one of these Two Chocolate Wines, Red Decadence Wine in particular.
“The aromas and flavors of black cherry, blueberry, and plum with touches of rich, velvety dark chocolate. The combination of deep ruby red wine with a natural chocolate essence is like liquid chocolate truffle in a bottle. It is truly the best of both worlds. Indulge yourself.”
Notes: If you want a deeper chocolate flavor, add a higher cocoa content chocolate or a bit more of the chocolate chips. You can use any type of milk with fat content from 2% to cream or any combination you choose. One type of milk I wouldn’t recommend is nonfat. It just doesn’t taste good at all. This recipe can be doubled if you are in need of more servings. As for the skin, some people love that part of the pudding, so if you are one of them, leave the plastic off to allow the skin to form. If you’re using the pudding in other recipes, or for other things, the skin would not be something you’d want to be present. One last thing, if you can’t find vanilla paste, regular vanilla will work just fine.
This is a great make-ahead dessert that can be dressed up in a myriad of ways. If you want to lift someone’s spirits, make a batch, pour it in a pretty bowl and take it to your friend in need when they least expect a surprise. They will love you for it; I know I would.
I’ve said it before, it will surprise you how this recipe takes no more time than a store bought boxed pudding. However, the taste is SO much better. When that’s the case, making homemade chocolate pudding is the only way to go when pudding has been requested or when you’re in need of a simple dessert.
Time to eat…
If you enjoyed my “Homemade Chocolate Pudding,” check out my Chocolate Pots, Panna Cotta With Fresh Fruit and this awesome Homemade Italian Cheese Cake. Enjoy.
P.S. Take a moment to check out some of the tools I used for this “Homemade Chocolate Pudding” below. 🙂