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Easy Chocolate Pudding is made completely from scratch and loaded with flavor. Thick, creamy, and extra chocolatey, this classic dish will be a favorite for years to come!

Chocolate Pudding From Scratch

Print Recipe
Making Chocolate Pudding From Scratch is easier than you'd think! Thick, creamy, and extra chocolatey, this classic dessert will be a favorite for years to come!
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Keyword chocolate, chocolate pudding
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Chill Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 25 minutes
Servings 6
Calories 306
Author Gayle

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • ¼ cup cornstarch
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 4¼ cups milk (whole or 2%)
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste (or extract)

Instructions

  • In a medium saucepan, whisk sugar, unsweetened cocoa powder, cornstarch and salt. While whisking continuously, slowly add milk until combined. 
  • Turn the heat to medium-low and whisk frequently until the mixture thickens and begins to bubble up and boil. This is where you have to be patient. You don't want to turn the heat too high, as the cornstarch will boil before it cooks, and then it won't thicken the pudding. You can turn the heat up slightly, but don't do so too fast. It will take about 10 minutes (or more, depending on your stove) for the mixture to bubble up.
  • Once the mixture bubbles up like lava, continue whisking for 1-2 minutes. You want the mixture to be thick enough to coat the back of a metal spoon without seeing through it. As the pudding chills, it will continue to thicken.
  • Remove from heat and immediately add butter and vanilla and stir until butter is completely melted. If there are lumps in the pudding from the cornstarch, that is normal. Pour the pudding through a mesh strainer before transferring to serving dish(es).
  • Transfer to serving dishes (or one big bowl) and cover the top of pudding with cling wrap (put the wrap directly on the surface of the pudding so a film doesn't form).
  • Chill for at least 4 hours, or until firm. Serve with whipped cream, if desired.

Notes

  • See my tips and tricks for making this easy chocolate pudding above the recipe box.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 306kcal | Carbohydrates: 51g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 28mg | Sodium: 275mg | Potassium: 343mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 43g | Vitamin A: 345IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 211mg | Iron: 1mg