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Homemade Chocolate Pudding Recipe

4.65
/5
20 mins
31 Comments
Jump to Recipe Video
By: Rachel GurkPosted: 04/01/2020Updated: 06/15/2021

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

Homemade chocolate pudding made on the stovetop is a creamy and satisfying dessert. Why use a boxed mix when homemade pudding is so simple and so much better tasting?

Homemade chocolate pudding made on the stovetop is a creamy and satisfying dessert. Why use a boxed mix when homemade pudding is so simple and so much better tasting?

Image of three bowls of chocolate pudding, topped with whipped cream and a sprinkle of cocoa powder. Three spoons are also in the image.

Homemade chocolate pudding is one of the most satisfying treats you can find. Smooth and rich, warm or cold, chocolate pudding just makes you feel happy. I don’t know what there is about it. It appeals to people of all ages.

Have you ever made pudding with a boxed mix? It’s pretty easy, right? Especially if you use a no-cook, instant kind.

But would you agree that boxed mixes sort of have an off flavor? I checked a box of name brand instant chocolate pudding and here’s what you’ll find in it: Sugar, Modified Cornstarch, Cocoa Processed With Alkali, Sodium Phosphate, Contains Less Than 2% Of Tetrasodium Pyrophosphate, Natural And Artificial Flavor, Salt, Artificial Color, Mono- And Diglycerides, Red 40, Yellow 5, Blue 1. 

Yuck! No wonder the box clearly states “Chocolate–Artificial Flavor.” That’s not all that’s artificial in that box. 

So, homemade it is. Easy to make and no artificial anything. How does it taste? Well, you can’t go too wrong with ingredients like milk, eggs, cocoa, sugar, vanilla, and butter, can you? Homemade chocolate pudding is perfectly delicious!

Image of chocolate pudding in a small glass, topped with fluffy homemade whipped cream.

About this Homemade Chocolate Pudding:

There are lots of recipes for homemade chocolate pudding. Some recipes use cornstarch to thicken the pudding, other recipes will have you using a double boiler, or tempering the eggs. Nice, but why go through extra trouble and make all those dishes dirty?

I like this recipe because it’s easy, it’s made completely in one saucepan, and tastes great. Plus, it was my grandma’s recipe. 

To make this pudding, you’ll need one medium sized saucepan. Blend sugar, flour, cocoa, and a pinch of salt in the pan. Add an egg and mix it in well, until the mixture is smooth. Slowly stir in milk. 

Cook over medium heat until the mixture comes to a boil, stirring pretty much constantly. I find that if I walk away for a couple of minutes, the pudding starts to get lumps. Be prepared to stir for about 15 minutes. Does 15 minutes seem alike a long time to stir? Listen to some music or a podcast, or invite someone into the kitchen for a little conversation. Bribe them with the promise of a bowl of chocolate pudding!

After the pudding comes to a boil, remove it from the heat, and stir in vanilla and a tablespoon of butter. Pour into bowls and enjoy immediately, or refrigerate to enjoy it cold.

Hint: To prevent a “skin” from forming on top of the pudding, press plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the pudding. Skin or no skin is a personal preference. I kind of like it. 

Image of chocolate pudding that has been made from scratch, topped with whipped cream, with a spoonful removed from the bowl.

How to make this chocolate pudding recipe your own:

  • Use whatever type of milk you happen to have. Whole milk will make the creamiest pudding, but 2% or non-fat work well, too.
  • Double or triple the recipe. Make sure you have a big enough saucepan.
  • Make a chocolate pie. Bake a 9 inch pie shell, make a batch and a half of chocolate pudding, and pour the pudding into the baked pie shell. A graham cracker crust works great, too! Refrigerate until firm. For more specific directions, check out my recipe for chocolate pudding pie. 
  • Add a couple teaspoons of instant espresso powder to make a mocha chocolate pudding. Mix the powder with the flour and sugar, blending it in well.
  • Add a teaspoon of cinnamon for Mexican hot chocolate pudding. Serve it with Mexican chocolate shortbread cookies for a special treat.
  • Be creative with toppings. Top with a dollop of whipped cream. Sprinkle the pudding with chocolate chips, nuts, or top with fresh fruit, like strawberries or raspberries. This crunchy oat topping is really good, too. 

Overhead image of homemade chocolate pudding that is topped with fluffy whipped cream and a sprinkle of cocoa powder.

Storage Tips

Homemade chocolate pudding, tightly covered, can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. 

Other easy dessert recipes:

Desserts don’t have to be complicated to be delicious. Here’s a few more easy dessert recipes:

 

  • No-cook lemon pudding (only 3 ingredients) or Lemon pudding/cake filling
  • Homemade vanilla pudding with brown butter
  • Chocolate chia pudding (only 100 calories per serving, and it’s no cook)
  • Chocolate chip blondies
  • Vanilla ice cream – no churn and only 3 ingredients
  • Strawberry sorbet with mint (frozen strawberries, water, mint – that’s all it takes)
  • Mini fruit tarts

Image of chocolate pudding being scooped out of a small clear glass. It's topped with homemade whipped cream for the perfect bite.

Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me @rachelcooksblog on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest!

Image of chocolate pudding that has been made from scratch, topped with whipped cream, with a spoonful removed from the bowl.
Recipe

Get the Recipe: Homemade Chocolate Pudding Recipe

4.65 from 48 votes
Prep Time: 5 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 20 mins
4 servings
Print Rate Recipe
Prevent your screen from going dark
Homemade chocolate pudding made on the stovetop is a creamy and satisfying dessert. Why use a boxed mix when homemade pudding is so simple and so much better tasting?

Ingredients

  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • Pinch of salt
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 cups milk (see note)
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Instructions

  • In medium sized saucepan, blend together sugar, cocoa, flour, and salt. Add egg and mix until well blended. Slowly stir in milk until ingredients are blended.
  • Over medium heat, stirring constantly, bring to a boil. Cook, stirring constantly, until mixture thickens slightly, 3 to 5 minutes. Pudding will thicken more as it cools.
  • Stir in butter and vanilla. If desired, divide into 4 serving dishes. Serve warm or cold.
  • To avoid having a skin form on top of the pudding, press plastic wrap directly on the surface of the pudding as it cools.

Notes

  • Use whatever type of milk you happen to have. Whole milk will make the creamiest pudding, but 2% or non-fat work well, too.
  • Double or triple the recipe. Make sure you have a big enough saucepan.
  • Make a chocolate pie. Bake a 9 inch pie shell, make a batch and a half of chocolate pudding, and pour the pudding into the baked pie shell. Refrigerate until firm. For more specific directions, check out my recipe for chocolate pudding pie. 
  • Add a couple teaspoons of instant espresso powder to make a mocha chocolate pudding. Mix the powder with the flour and sugar, blending it in well.
  • Add a teaspoon of cinnamon for Mexican hot chocolate pudding. Serve it with Mexican chocolate shortbread cookies for a special treat.
  • Be creative with toppings. Top with a dollop of whipped cream. Sprinkle the pudding with chocolate chips, nuts, or top with fresh fruit, like strawberries or raspberries. This crunchy oat topping is really good, too. 

Nutrition Information

Serving: 0.5cup, Calories: 225kcal, Carbohydrates: 37g, Protein: 7g, Fat: 7g, Saturated Fat: 4g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g, Monounsaturated Fat: 2g, Trans Fat: 0.2g, Cholesterol: 58mg, Sodium: 73mg, Potassium: 269mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 31g, Vitamin A: 267IU, Vitamin C: 0.2mg, Calcium: 156mg, Iron: 1mg

This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.

© Author: Rachel Gurk

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Verdict: So comforting and delicious, this is the perfect little sweet treat. 
Husband’s take: Ben loves this too, and my kids LOVE it. 
Changes I would make: None are necessary, but feel free to try some of the ideas we mentioned!
Difficulty: Very easy! 

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  1. Lisa N. says

    May 22, 2022 at 4:20 pm

    5 stars
    SO good. Made it a few nights ago and we ate it all! Can’t wait to make it again. Definitely good enough for making a company dessert. Just add real whipped cream. Yum

    Reply
    • Rachel Gurk says

      May 23, 2022 at 11:01 am

      So glad to hear you enjoyed it! Thanks for taking the time to leave a review!

      Reply
  2. Kyoko says

    April 16, 2022 at 2:34 pm

    5 stars
    Very easy to make!
    To address some of the negative comments: make sure to use dutch-processed (alkaline) cocoa powder.
    Without getting too much into chemistry, regular cocoa powder is acidic.
    So, that mealy texture is likely from an acid-base reaction (curdled pudding, basically).
    When dutch-processed cocoa is used, the texture and flavors are simply decadent!

    Reply
    • Rachel Gurk says

      April 18, 2022 at 1:01 pm

      That’s very helpful, thank you!

      Reply
  3. Kelly K says

    February 24, 2021 at 11:34 am

    This is my first time making homemade pudding and I’m blown away! I followed the recipe and instructions exactly and it is perfect. Absolutely no clumps at all and SO DELICIOUS it will be a miracle if we have any left for dessert tonight. My girls are already so excited thinking about all of the toppings they want to put on! :)

    Reply
    • Rachel Gurk says

      February 27, 2021 at 11:38 am

      So glad you guys liked it! My kids go nuts for it too. Thanks for taking the time to leave a review, it means a lot!

      Reply
  4. KT says

    February 2, 2021 at 4:54 pm

    Just made it. My husband is inhaling it warm, right now. Can’t wait to taste it cold. Followed exact instructions, expect pudding took about 10 minutes to boil. This was definitely the least lumpy pudding I’ve made yet, so thumbs up!

    Reply
    • Rachel Gurk says

      February 4, 2021 at 9:31 am

      I’m so glad you liked it! Thanks for leaving a comment!

      Reply
  5. Nandy says

    December 14, 2020 at 9:24 pm

    I love this! Best chocolate pudding ever! And I’ve had a few! Thank you so much, this is my go to!!!

    Reply
    • Rachel Gurk says

      December 15, 2020 at 9:23 am

      There’s really nothing like a big bowl of chocolate pudding. Glad you like this recipe!

      Reply
  6. Ilena says

    September 30, 2020 at 3:21 am

    Chocolate pudding is my favorite snack. I only make 4 things. Recipe in Polish – potato flour, milk, sugar and cocoa. I recommend to try it, very dense and intense.

    Reply
    • Rachel Gurk says

      October 1, 2020 at 3:11 pm

      Sounds delicious!

      Reply
  7. Rachel says

    August 26, 2020 at 12:39 am

    Wonderful pudding!  I cut back sugar as I’m supposed to be dieting but it was soooo good and rich and creamy!  Thanks for the recipe!  My husband even said it tasted like a box mix which is his favorite so that is high praise :)

    Reply
    • Rachel Gurk says

      August 26, 2020 at 6:29 am

      So glad you liked it! Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment!

      Reply
  8. DJ says

    August 12, 2020 at 5:06 pm

    Yes. Easy, less wasteful as wasn’t interested in saving 2 egg whites this time. Absolutley no lumps if all ingredients ready and wisk until boil. Simple changes for the better, great method!

    Reply
    • Rachel Gurk says

      August 12, 2020 at 10:59 pm

      I’m so glad you liked it! Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment, it means a lot!

      Reply
  9. Virginia Reese says

    August 3, 2020 at 4:11 pm

    I saw a few complaining about this recipe and how lumpy it was. My 4 year old and I just made this recipe and it turned out perfect. My daughters favorite by far. It is also very simple. My daughter did the majority aside from the removing from heat. Thank you we love it, you helped make a gloomy day feel a little brighter for my little miss.

    Reply
    • Rachel Gurk says

      August 6, 2020 at 12:25 pm

      Aww, I love this! I’m so glad you liked the pudding, thank you for taking the time to leave a comment!

      Reply
  10. Julia says

    June 23, 2020 at 5:58 pm

    Hi, many pudding recipes I’ve seen use egg yolks only. Would it work to use two yolks in replacement for the one whole egg?

    Reply
    • Rachel Gurk says

      June 24, 2020 at 8:21 am

      We haven’t tested it that way so we can’t promise good results, but if you try it, let us know how it goes!

      Reply
  11. joan peoples says

    June 22, 2020 at 10:39 pm

    You had a couple complaints about the chocolate pudding….If you look at the vanilla pudding directions, you will see they are more detailed….so no way would the pudding be lumpy….havent made this yet, but am glad I read the vanilla pudding directions….Cant wait to make this tomorrow

    Reply
    • Rachel Gurk says

      June 24, 2020 at 8:22 am

      I hope you love it!

      Reply
  12. Elle brawnetr says

    April 26, 2020 at 4:34 pm

    Rated:  0
    Hello “Rachel”
    Made this today. According to recipe. 
    It was beyond HORRIBLE.  I have been cooking for 50 years too!   It was grainy,
    no it was like very lumpy gravy. Also almost tasteless.  I realize folks tastes in things differ, but this was gross.  Rachel, throw this one out of your cookbook.  I can’t brlieve I wasted milk, cocoa, butter and sugar during this time of quarantine!  
    Signing off, I just keep becoming more angry. 

    Reply
    • Rachel Gurk says

      April 27, 2020 at 5:33 pm

      Hi Elle,
      Sorry to hear you had a less than amazing experience! Did you stir the entire time? That part is very important.

      Reply
    • Zoe says

      January 23, 2021 at 7:00 pm

      Bro chill. I made it and many other did too and it was fine. Maybe you did soemthing wrong?

      Reply
  13. denise says

    April 1, 2020 at 3:28 pm

    I could use this right now.

    Reply
    • Rachel Gurk says

      April 4, 2020 at 9:10 am

      SAME! I think we all could, right?

      Reply
  14. Recettes du Chef says

    April 1, 2020 at 11:48 am

    Et après les français disent que les américains ne savent pas cuisiner. Bravo et merci pour toutes tes belles recettes Rachel !
    Why do French people say that Americans are not good cook ! Well done and thanks for all these lovely recipes Rachel !
    François

    Reply
    • Rachel Gurk says

      April 4, 2020 at 9:10 am

      Thank you so much for the kind words!

      Reply
      • A says

        June 24, 2020 at 10:37 pm

        u ar so nice ty

        Reply
        • Rachel Gurk says

          June 26, 2020 at 12:24 pm

          :) thank you!

          Reply

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