Description
Make rich, velvety homemade chocolate pudding from scratch using simple ingredients. This easy stovetop recipe yields a silky smooth, decadent chocolate dessert that surpasses any boxed mix.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 large egg yolks
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into pieces
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, whisk together the sugar, cocoa powder, cornstarch, and salt until combined.
- Gradually whisk in the whole milk until the mixture is smooth and no lumps remain.
- Place the saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring constantly with a whisk, until the mixture thickens significantly and begins to bubble around the edges. This takes about 6 to 8 minutes.
- In a small bowl, lightly whisk the egg yolks.
- Temper the yolks: Slowly pour about 1/2 cup of the hot milk mixture into the egg yolks while whisking the yolks constantly. This prevents the eggs from scrambling.
- Pour the tempered yolk mixture back into the saucepan with the remaining hot milk mixture.
- Continue to cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, for 1 to 2 minutes until the pudding comes to a full boil and is very thick. Do not stop stirring.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat. Stir in the butter pieces and vanilla extract until the butter is fully melted and incorporated.
- Pour the pudding into individual serving bowls or a single larger dish.
- Press plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the pudding in each bowl to prevent a skin from forming.
- Chill in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours, or until completely cold and set.
Notes
- For an extra rich flavor, substitute 1 ounce of finely chopped bittersweet chocolate for 1 tablespoon of the cocoa powder. Add it with the butter at the end.
- If you prefer a lighter texture, you can use 2% milk, but whole milk provides the creamiest result.
- This recipe is naturally gluten-free since it uses cornstarch as the thickener.
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 15 min
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 285
- Sugar: 30
- Sodium: 150
- Fat: 10
- Saturated Fat: 6
- Unsaturated Fat: 4
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 45
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 7
- Cholesterol: 75