Silky Smooth Chocolate Pudding from Scratch – Pure Comfort in Every Spoonful!
Before we dive into the most decadent bowl of homemade chocolate pudding you’ve ever laid eyes on, let me just say thank you. If you’re here, it means you love from-scratch goodness, and you’re about to be rewarded for it. This pudding? It’s rich, velvety, and swoon-worthy. It’s the kind of dessert that feels like a warm hug after a long day—easy to make, impossible to resist.
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Why You’ll Love This Chocolate Pudding
This is not your childhood snack pack. This is a luxurious, deeply chocolatey, ultra-smooth pudding made with pantry staples. It's egg-free, silky without being overly sweet, and ready to eat in under 20 minutes. The perfect balance of comfort and elegance!
I promised you versatile, and here’s proof: serve it chilled in elegant glasses with whipped cream for dinner parties, or eat it warm straight from the pan (I won’t judge—been there!).
What Does It Taste Like?
Imagine the most indulgent chocolate bar you love, melted down into a soft, spoonable treat. This pudding is deeply cocoa-forward, thanks to a double hit of unsweetened cocoa and chopped dark chocolate, and it's balanced with a touch of vanilla and salt. The texture? Smooth as silk.
Anything but boring!!
Benefits of Making Homemade Chocolate Pudding
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Healthier than store-bought: No preservatives, no artificial stuff.
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Egg-free and gluten-free naturally!
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Quick & easy: 1 saucepan, 20 minutes, done!
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Make-ahead magic: Chill and serve later for fuss-free dessert.
Ingredients You'll Need
Here’s your grocery list of goodness:
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⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
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¼ cup cornstarch
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½ cup granulated sugar
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¼ tsp fine sea salt
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2 ¾ cups whole milk
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4 oz semi-sweet or dark chocolate, chopped
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1 tsp pure vanilla extract
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Optional toppings: whipped cream, chocolate shavings, berries
Tools You’ll Need
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Medium saucepan
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Whisk
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Measuring cups and spoons
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Heatproof spatula
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Serving bowls or jars
Ingredient Additions & Substitutions
✨Want to tweak the recipe? Here are some fun swaps:
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Milk: Use oat, almond, or soy milk to make it dairy-free.
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Sugar: Coconut sugar or maple syrup for a refined sugar-free version.
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Chocolate: Try bittersweet for a deeper, adult flavor or milk chocolate for kids.
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Add a splash of espresso or orange zest to elevate the flavor!
How to Make Chocolate Pudding – Step by Step
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Mix dry ingredients: In your saucepan, whisk together cocoa powder, cornstarch, sugar, and salt.
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Add milk slowly: Gradually whisk in milk until smooth and lump-free.
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Heat gently: Place over medium heat, stirring constantly until it starts to thicken (about 8–10 minutes).
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Add chocolate: Remove from heat, stir in chopped chocolate and vanilla until melted and glossy.
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Chill or serve warm: Pour into bowls. Chill 2 hours for classic pudding or serve warm for instant comfort.
The smell when this is on the stove? UNREAL.
What to Serve with It
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A dollop of whipped cream (classic)
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Fresh raspberries or sliced bananas
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Crushed toffee or caramel drizzle
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Shortbread cookies for dipping—trust me!
Tips for Perfect Pudding
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Constant whisking is key—don’t walk away!
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Use good-quality chocolate—it makes all the difference.
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Strain the pudding through a mesh sieve for ultra-smooth results.
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Press plastic wrap directly onto the surface if chilling, to prevent a skin from forming.
Storage Instructions
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Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
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It thickens as it chills—just give it a good stir before serving.
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Not freezer-friendly (it changes texture).
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I make this vegan?
Yes! Use plant-based milk and dairy-free chocolate. It turns out wonderfully!
Q: Why isn’t my pudding thickening?
You likely need to cook it a few minutes longer—cornstarch thickens as it heats.
Q: Can I make this in advance?
Absolutely! Make it the day before and chill overnight for best results.
Wrap-Up: A Hug in Dessert Form
This silky chocolate pudding is everything. Simple, indulgent, cozy—and way more impressive than you'd think. One bite and you’ll know exactly why I keep this recipe in regular rotation.
And if you're a fan of easy homemade desserts like this, you’re going to fall head over heels for my Peach Cobbler Crumble or Grilled Peaches with Honey Mascarpone—both coming up soon!
📌 Don’t Forget!
If you make this pudding, please leave a review below and tag me on Pinterest with your photos—I LOVE seeing your creations!
🍫 Nutritional Info (Approximate, per serving – based on 4 servings)
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Calories: 280
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Fat: 13g
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Carbohydrates: 35g
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Sugar: 26g
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Protein: 5g
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Fiber: 3g