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?
Recipe Overview
Why you’ll love it: The ingredients are so simple and you probably already have everything you need to make this easy wholesome dessert.
How long it takes: 20 minutes
Equipment you’ll need: saucepan
Servings: 4
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. Homemade chocolate pudding is perfectly delicious!
About This Chocolate Pudding Recipe
Natural wholesome ingredients. You can’t go too wrong with ingredients like milk, eggs, cocoa, sugar, vanilla, and butter. There isn’t anything artificial in homemade pudding.
Easy to make. 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?
Why you’ll love it. You’ll love this recipe because it’s easy, it’s made completely in one saucepan, and tastes great. (Plus, it was my grandma’s recipe.)
How To Make Homemade Chocolate Pudding
Mix ingredients in a saucepan. 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 the pudding. 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!
Stir in vanilla and butter. 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.
Cooking Tip
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.
Make It 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. I haven’t tested the recipe with nondairy milk.
- 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.
- Mocha chocolate pudding: Add a couple teaspoons of instant espresso powder to the pudding. Mix the powder with the flour and sugar, blending it in well.
- Mexican hot chocolate pudding. Add a teaspoon of ground cinnamon to the 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.
- Not a fan of chocolate? Try homemade vanilla pudding or easy pumpkin pudding.
More Chocolate Desserts
- Chocolate Delight – a popular layered icebox dessert with chocolate pudding.
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie (no bake) – rich and delicious!
- Chocolate Lava Cake Recipe – so easy to make.
- Best Chocolate Cake Recipe (no eggs or butter) with chocolate cream cheese frosting.
- Check out my list of 20 easy chocolate desserts!
Homemade chocolate pudding, tightly covered, can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
More Dessert Recipes
Homemade Chocolate Pudding Recipe
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
- Milk options: Whole milk will make the creamiest pudding, but 2% or non-fat work well, too. I haven’t tested nondairy milks.
- Double or triple the recipe. Make sure you have a big enough saucepan.
- Mocha chocolate pudding: Add a couple teaspoons of instant espresso powder with the flour and sugar, blending it in well.
- Mexican hot chocolate pudding. Add a teaspoon of ground cinnamon.
- Be creative with toppings. Top pudding with a dollop of whipped cream, chocolate chips, nuts, or top with fresh fruit, like strawberries or raspberries. This crunchy oat topping is really good, too.
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Did You Make This?Share a comment and rating below! I love hearing what you think!
I love this! Best chocolate pudding ever! And I’ve had a few! Thank you so much, this is my go to!!!
There’s really nothing like a big bowl of chocolate pudding. Glad you like this recipe!
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.
Sounds delicious!
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 :)
So glad you liked it! Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment!
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!
I’m so glad you liked it! Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment, it means a lot!
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.
Aww, I love this! I’m so glad you liked the pudding, thank you for taking the time to leave a comment!
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?
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!
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
I hope you love it!
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.
Hi Elle,
Sorry to hear you had a less than amazing experience! Did you stir the entire time? That part is very important.
Bro chill. I made it and many other did too and it was fine. Maybe you did soemthing wrong?
I could use this right now.
SAME! I think we all could, right?
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
Thank you so much for the kind words!
u ar so nice ty
:) thank you!