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Chocolate Desserts 30 Minutes or Less
4.7 from 20 votes

Homemade Chocolate Pudding

Jump to RecipeVideoPrintRate
By: Joanna Cismaru •10/31/22 17 Comments

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

Learn how to make Homemade Chocolate Pudding from scratch! This recipe uses staple ingredients to whip up this simple sweet treat and just a few minutes of your day. You can take one more item off your grocery list!

side view shot of two cups of homemade chocolate pudding topped with whipped cream and chocolate shavings
Table of Contents Open
  • The Best Chocolate Pudding Recipe
  • Ingredients You’ll Need
  • How To Make Chocolate Pudding
  • How To Serve
  • What Can I Make With My Chocolate Pudding?
  • Leftovers
  • Did you love this recipe? Try these:
  • Homemade Chocolate Pudding
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Equipment
    • Video
    • Notes
    • Nutrition Information
  • Did You Make This?

The Best Chocolate Pudding Recipe

Pudding is such an embarrassingly easy recipe to master, I don’t know if you’ll ever go back to the boxed variety. The ingredient list is so short, so basic, and the only skill required of you is whisking. It’s the type of dessert you can enjoy as basic or extravagantly topped as you like!

You can also use this recipe to whip up other layered desserts such as trifles. Everything is better homemade, right? This is a dessert that has always been close to my heart. Topped with some berries and whipped cream? Now that’s a treat! What a wonderfully easy recipe you’d even be proud to serve guests.

Ingredients You’ll Need

overhead shot of all the ingredients necessary to make chocolate pudding from scratch
  • Cornstarch – This is what will thicken your pudding while keeping it creamy and smooth.
  • Cocoa powder – Unsweetened. Any brand you like best.
  • Sugar – Granulated works best.
  • Salt – Just a little to bring out all the flavors.
  • Milk – Any type of milk, even non-dairy alternatives, will work.
  • Butter – Unsalted.
  • Vanilla – Extract, paste, or fresh vanilla bean.

How To Make Chocolate Pudding

detailed process shots showing how to make chocolate pudding from scratch
  1. Mix the dry ingredients: Whisk the cornstarch, cocoa powder, sugar, and salt together in a saucepan.
  2. Bring to a boil: Whisk the milk, cold, into the saucepan. Turn the heat onto medium. Continue to whisk constantly making sure to scrape the sides of the pot, until the mixture comes to a boil.
  3. Thicken: Continue to whisk while the pudding boils for 1 minute, then remove the pot from the heat. Stir in the butter and the vanilla until the butter melts. Divide the pudding into 2 heat safe bowls or glasses. Take 2 sheets of plastic wrap and cover the pudding, pressing the plastic wrap against the surface of the pudding to prevent a skin.
  4. Set: Refrigerate for 1-2 hours or until chilled and set.

How To Serve

You’ve gone through the trouble of making your own glorious chocolate pudding from scratch, you can’t just leave it bare! Here are my favorite toppings to dress your pudding up the way it deserves:

  • Whipped cream
  • Chocolate shavings
  • Berries
  • Cherries
  • Bananas
  • Crushed nuts
  • Crushed graham crackers or nilla wafers
  • Sprinkles

I don’t suggest using acidic fruits such as pineapple, kiwi, peaches, oranges, or grapefruit as they can cause the pudding to break down a bit and sweat.

side view shot of two cups of homemade chocolate pudding

What Can I Make With My Chocolate Pudding?

Here are some of my favorite simple desserts made with pudding! You can substitute this chocolate pudding for any flavor called for in these recipes and it will taste fantastic:

  • Strawberry Tiramisu Trifle
  • Angel Berry Trifle
  • Sex in a Pan

Leftovers

I suggest storing your chocolate pudding with plastic wrap pressed against the surface of your pudding. This will keep leftovers fresh for as long as possible without forming a skin. Your pudding will last up to 7 days refrigerated.

I don’t suggest freezing your pudding. This will affect the texture after it thaws and will become much softer. This recipe is best enjoyed fresh!

overhead shot of two cups of homemade chocolate pudding topped with whipped cream and chocolate shavings

Did you love this recipe? Try these:

  • Homemade Vanilla Pudding
  • Chocolate Waffles
  • Easy Tiramisu
  • Cheesecake Recipe
  • Pumpkin Delight
  • Nanaimo Bars
  • Homemade Rocky Road Ice Cream
  • Instant Pot Rice Pudding

Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.

side view shot of two cups of homemade chocolate pudding topped with whipped cream and chocolate shavings
Print
4.70 from 20 votes

Homemade Chocolate Pudding

Prep 10 minutes minutes
Chilling time 1 hour hour
Cook 5 minutes minutes
Total 1 hour hour 15 minutes minutes
Rate Recipe
Learn how to make Homemade Chocolate Pudding from scratch! This recipe uses staple ingredients to whip up this simple sweet treat and just a few minutes of your day. You can take one more item off your grocery list!
4

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoon cornstarch
  • ¼ cup cocoa powder
  • ⅓ cup sugar (granulated)
  • ⅛ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
  • 2 cups milk
  • 2 tablespoon butter (unsalted)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.

Instructions 

  • Mix the dry ingredients: Whisk the cornstarch, cocoa powder, sugar, and salt together in a saucepan.
  • Bring to a boil: Whisk the milk, cold, into the saucepan. Turn the heat onto medium. Continue to whisk constantly making sure to scrape the sides of the pot, until the mixture comes to a boil.
  • Thicken: Continue to whisk while the pudding boils for 1 minute, then remove the pot from the heat. Stir in the butter and the vanilla until the butter melts. Divide the pudding into 2 heat safe bowls or glasses. Take 2 sheets of plastic wrap and cover the pudding, pressing the plastic wrap against the surface of the pudding to prevent a skin.
  • Set: Refrigerate for 1-2 hours or until chilled and set.

Equipment

  • 1-Quart Saucepan

Video

Notes

  1. I suggest storing your pudding with plastic wrap pressed against the surface of your pudding. This will keep leftovers fresh for as long as possible without forming a skin. Your pudding will last up to 7 days refrigerated.
  2. I don’t suggest freezing your pudding. This will affect the texture after it thaws and will become much softer. This recipe is best enjoyed fresh!

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1servingCalories: 228kcal (11%)Carbohydrates: 31g (10%)Protein: 5g (10%)Fat: 10g (15%)Saturated Fat: 6g (38%)Cholesterol: 27mg (9%)Sodium: 128mg (6%)Potassium: 243mg (7%)Fiber: 2g (8%)Sugar: 23g (26%)Vitamin A: 375IU (8%)Calcium: 145mg (15%)Iron: 1mg (6%)

Notice: Nutrition is auto-calculated for your convenience. Where relevant, we recommend using your own nutrition calculations.

side view shot of two cups of homemade chocolate pudding topped with whipped cream and chocolate shavings

Did You Make This?

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Joanna Cismaru

Joanna Cismaru

I’m Joanna (Jo for short) and this is my blog where I share with you my culinary adventures. Through Jo Cooks, I invite you to join me in my kitchen as we explore delicious recipes from around the globe, celebrate the joy of cooking, and make every meal a memorable one. Happy cooking!

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17 Comments
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Jennifer
Jennifer
Posted: 11 months ago

Delicious! My husband and teenage son asked for more. I’ll double it next time (tomorrow)!

0
Reply
Tillie
Tillie
Posted: 1 year ago

5 stars
Spot on! Both easy and delicious!

0
Reply
Carol Spear
Carol Spear
Posted: 1 year ago

5 stars
This is my go to chocolate pudding recipe. Not only is it as easy as the store bought box brands but it tastes so much better!
Is there any chance you have a butterscotch or caramel pudding recipe hidden in the works somewhere?
I love your site and your recipes are in regular rotation. Dinner is often based on that day’s recipe post.

0
Reply
Joanna Cismaru
Joanna Cismaru
Author
Reply to  Carol Spear
Posted: 1 year ago

Hi Carol! So glad you like the recipe. I don’t yet, but I will sure add it to my list, I love anything butterscotch or caramel so this is a great idea!

0
Reply
Marlene Wilkins
Marlene Wilkins
Posted: 2 years ago

5 stars
I love lemon and he loves chocolate. You have made up both very happy t0day Jo. Thank you very much for being such a talented young cook.

0
Reply
Joanna Cismaru
Joanna Cismaru
Author
Reply to  Marlene Wilkins
Posted: 2 years ago

Ah, thank you!!

0
Reply
Mandy
Mandy
Posted: 2 years ago

Hi, may I know if its possible to replace cornstarch with gelatine powder instead?

0
Reply
Joanna Cismaru
Joanna Cismaru
Author
Reply to  Mandy
Posted: 2 years ago

Hi Mandy, I haven’t worked much with gelatin, but from what I know it can be used, just be careful with the amounts. From a quick google search use 3/4 teaspoon of unflavored gelatin for every cup of milk or cream. If you do try it, I’d love to hear how it turns out with gelatin. Good luck!

0
Reply
PAT POSTLE
PAT POSTLE
Posted: 2 years ago

5 stars
GREAT, EASY RECIPE. MADE LAST NIGHT FOR MY SON AND HIS FAMILY. DID A POT ROAST DINNER FOR THEM WITH A SIDE OF GREEN BEANS, SO WANTED A QUICK AND EASY DESSERT. I TOPPED IT WITH WHIPPED CREAM AND THEY LOVED IT. THANK YOU! I ALSO HAVE YOUR COOKBOOK.

0
Reply
Marleigh Burns
Marleigh Burns
Posted: 2 years ago

Hello. I am 10 years old and I made your pudding recipe by my self, and it was delicious. Although, it would be helpful if you could list when to put in the vanilla and the butter. Thank you.

0
Reply
Joanna Cismaru
Joanna Cismaru
Author
Reply to  Marleigh Burns
Posted: 2 years ago

It’s in step 3, after you take the pudding off the heat. 🙂

0
Reply
CMF
CMF
Posted: 2 years ago

5 stars
The best chocolate pudding and so easy! Thick, rich, creamy – my family loved it!

0
Reply
Joanna Cismaru
Joanna Cismaru
Author
Reply to  CMF
Posted: 2 years ago

I’m so glad to hear you enjoyed it!

0
Reply
Margaret
Margaret
Posted: 2 years ago

This is so easy to make and agree much better than store bought! Thanks Jo

0
Reply
Nancy Mirabelli
Nancy Mirabelli
Posted: 2 years ago

Hi Jo,

I just wanted to mention that your homemade chocolate pudding recipe fails to mention when to add the butter and vanilla into the recipe. Only after watching the video did I see where to add it in. Thanks. I do love your site and I enjoy your recipes.

0
Reply
Joanna Cismaru
Joanna Cismaru
Author
Reply to  Nancy Mirabelli
Posted: 2 years ago

You’re so right, and I knew that was missing and meant to put it in and ended up forgetting in the end. Thanks for catching that. 🙂

0
Reply
Kim Corcoran
Kim Corcoran
Posted: 2 years ago

5 stars
I’m a longtime subscriber because all of your recipes are tasty, diverse, and easy plus the kind of comforting food we’re all craving, especially in these days where “fancy” ingredients are not always available. This pudding recipe is a great way to use in house staples to quickly treat your family and satisfy your chocolate needs in just a few minutes! No more store bought- kids love to see the science of putting simple ingredients together to create a yummy finished product! Great togetherness in the kitchen project-A+, Jo!

0
Reply

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I’m Joanna (Jo for short) and this is the place where I share my passion for easy and delicious recipes. From comforting classics to global flavors, I believe that cooking should be fun, approachable, and most importantly, rewarding. Join me on this culinary journey and let’s get cooking!

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