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Home / Recipes
1 hour 15 minutes
4.75 from 12 votes
13 Comments

Homemade Chocolate Pudding

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by: Joanna Cismaru
08.20.20
Updated: 08.21.20

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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

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.

overhead shot of all the ingredients necessary to make chocolate pudding from scratch

Ingredients

Keep scrolling to the recipe card for full ingredient amounts and instructions or click the “Jump to Recipe” button at the top of the page.

  • 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.
detailed process shots showing how to make chocolate pudding from scratch

How to make chocolate pudding

  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 homemade 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
  • Mint Chocolate Trifle
  • Sex in a Pan

Leftovers

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.

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
  • Rice Pudding
  • Easy Tiramisu
  • Avocado Chocolate Mousse
  • Pumpkin Delight
  • Nanaimo Bars
  • Homemade Rocky Road Ice Cream
  • Yellow Cake Mix

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

Homemade Chocolate Pudding

4.75 from 12 votes
Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 5 mins
Chilling time: 1 hr
Total: 1 hr 15 mins
Author: Joanna Cismaru
Serves: 4
Print Pin Rate
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!

Equipment

  • 1-Quart Saucepan

Ingredients

  • 3 tbsp cornstarch
  • ¼ cup cocoa powder
  • ⅓ cup sugar granulated
  • ⅛ tsp salt or to taste
  • 2 cups milk
  • 2 tbsp butter unsalted
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
US Customary – Metric

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.

Video

Recipe 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:

Calories: 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%)
Course:Dessert
Cuisine:American
Keyword:chocolate pudding
Tried this recipe? Rate it belowtag @jocooks on instagram and hashtag it #jocooks!

Meet Joanna Cismaru

I’m Joanna (Jo for short) and this is my blog where I share with you my culinary adventures. Here you will find a variety of recipes using simple everyday ingredients and creating wonderful, delicious and comforting meals, including some decadent desserts.

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Comments

  1. Marlene Wilkins says

    March 19, 2021 at 12:16 pm

    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.

    Reply
    • Joanna Cismaru says

      March 19, 2021 at 2:14 pm

      Ah, thank you!!

      Reply
  2. Mandy says

    September 10, 2020 at 6:06 pm

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

    Reply
    • jo says

      September 10, 2020 at 6:26 pm

      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!

      Reply
  3. PAT POSTLE says

    August 28, 2020 at 10:39 am

    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.

    Reply
  4. Marleigh Burns says

    August 28, 2020 at 6:50 am

    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.

    Reply
    • jo says

      August 28, 2020 at 9:41 am

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

      Reply
  5. CMF says

    August 23, 2020 at 9:15 am

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

    Reply
    • jo says

      August 23, 2020 at 10:58 am

      I’m so glad to hear you enjoyed it!

      Reply
  6. Margaret says

    August 21, 2020 at 1:10 pm

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

    Reply
  7. Nancy Mirabelli says

    August 21, 2020 at 12:53 pm

    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.

    Reply
    • jo says

      August 21, 2020 at 2:57 pm

      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. 🙂

      Reply
  8. Kim Corcoran says

    August 21, 2020 at 11:15 am

    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!

    Reply

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I'm Joanna (Jo for short) and this is my blog where I share with you my culinary adventures. Here you will find a variety of recipes using simple everyday ingredients and creating wonderful, delicious and comforting meals, including some decadent desserts.

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