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Recipe

Fresh Chocolate Pudding Recipe

A sweet, simple homemade chocolate pudding with deep cocoa flavor, a silky texture, and zero boxed-mix vibes. Ready fast, chilled faster if you use a shallow dish trick.

Author By Matt Campbell
4.8
Glass bowl filled with glossy homemade chocolate pudding topped with whipped cream and chocolate shavings on a kitchen counter
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If you have ten minutes, a saucepan, and the tiniest bit of patience (mostly for chilling), you can make chocolate pudding that tastes like the best part of licking the spoon as a kid, only richer and more grown up. This version is fresh in the best way: real cocoa, real chocolate, and a texture that lands somewhere between cozy and luxurious.

Also, I am firmly on team pudding should be bold. That means a pinch of salt, enough vanilla to smell it from across the kitchen, and a quick whisk routine that looks slightly frantic but gets the job done. No drama, no weird ingredients, just a chocolate dessert you will want to “taste for quality control” roughly seven times.

Saucepan on a stovetop with a hand whisk mixing chocolate pudding as it thickens

Why It Works

  • Silky, spoonable texture: Cornstarch thickens cleanly without tasting starchy, and egg yolks add that custardy richness.
  • Big chocolate flavor: Cocoa brings depth while chopped chocolate adds round, glossy intensity.
  • No scorched pot energy: Medium heat, constant whisking, and scraping the bottom and corners keep the pot happy. The fine mesh strain is your safety net.
  • Skin optional: Press plastic wrap directly on the surface for perfectly smooth pudding, or leave it bare if you love that old-school pudding skin.

Pairs Well With

  • Fresh strawberries or raspberries
  • Vanilla whipped cream or lightly sweetened Greek yogurt
  • Shortbread cookies or graham crackers
  • Toasted salted nuts (pecans, almonds, or hazelnuts)

Storage Tips

Refrigerate: Store pudding in an airtight container for up to 4 days. For the smoothest top, press plastic wrap directly onto the surface before sealing. Best texture is usually within the first 1 to 2 days.

Speed-chill trick: Pour hot pudding into a shallow dish, press wrap on top, then refrigerate. It cools much faster than a deep bowl.

Stir before serving: If it tightens up a bit, give it a quick stir to bring back that glossy, creamy texture.

Freezing: Not my favorite. The texture can turn grainy when thawed. If you do it anyway, thaw overnight in the fridge and whisk vigorously.

Common Questions

Can I make chocolate pudding without egg yolks?

Yes. Skip the yolks and increase cornstarch to 4 tablespoons. The pudding will still be thick and delicious, just a little less custardy and rich.

Why did my pudding get lumpy?

Usually it is either heat too high or not enough whisking, especially around the bottom and corners of the pot. Keep it at a gentle simmer and whisk constantly once it starts to warm. If lumps happen, strain it. No shame, only solutions.

How do I make it extra dark and intense?

Use Dutch-process cocoa plus a chopped bar in the 60 to 70% cacao range. You can also reduce sugar by 1 to 2 tablespoons if you like it more bittersweet.

Can I use non-dairy milk?

Yes, with a small asterisk. Oat milk usually gives the creamiest result. Full-fat canned coconut milk is extra rich but will add a coconut note. Plant milks vary by brand, and some set softer. If your pudding seems loose after chilling, whisk in an extra 1 to 2 teaspoons cornstarch next time.

What is the difference between cocoa powder and chocolate bars here?

Cocoa gives depth and that classic pudding flavor. The chocolate bar adds body, gloss, and a more rounded chocolate finish. Using both makes it taste intentional, not flat.

Natural or Dutch-process cocoa?

Either works. Natural cocoa tastes a bit brighter, Dutch-process tastes deeper and smoother. Pick the vibe you want.

I started making pudding at home when I realized the boxed stuff was basically chocolate flavored nostalgia. Which is fine, but I wanted the real deal: the kind that sets up thick, tastes like actual cocoa, and feels fancy even when you are eating it straight from the container at midnight. This is my go-to when I want dessert without turning my kitchen into a baking show episode. Whisk, simmer, chill, done. And if you sneak a warm spoonful before it hits the fridge, I support you.