Homemade Chocolate Pudding
Homemade chocolate pudding is a rich, stovetop dessert made with real cocoa, whole milk, and cream. It delivers a smooth, spoonable texture and balanced chocolate depth without being overly sweet.
Ingredients
- 200 g sugar
- 30 g Dutch cocoa powder
- 15 g natural cocoa powder
- 40 g cornstarch
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 960 g whole milk
- 120 g heavy cream
- 42 g butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Whisk the Dry Ingredients
- In a medium saucepan, whisk sugar, Dutch cocoa, natural cocoa, cornstarch, and salt. Break up all lumps before adding liquid.
- Add Milk and Cream
- Slowly pour in the milk and cream while whisking. This prevents clumping and ensures even hydration.
- Place the saucepan over medium heat.
- Cook Until Thick
- Whisk constantly. The mixture will look thin at first. After 6 to 8 minutes, it will begin to thicken. Continue whisking until it bubbles gently and coats the back of a spoon.
- Cook for 1 additional minute to activate the cornstarch fully.
- Finish with Butter and Vanilla
- Remove from heat. Stir in butter until melted and glossy. Add vanilla and whisk until smooth.
- Pour into serving dishes. Press parchment or plastic wrap directly onto the surface to prevent a skin.
- Chill for at least 2 hours before serving.
Notes
- The pudding should coat a spoon thickly before you remove it from heat. If it feels thin, continue cooking briefly.
- Do not stop whisking once it begins to thicken. Cornstarch can catch at the bottom.
- If lumps form, blend briefly with an immersion blender while hot.
- The pudding will thicken more as it cools. Do not overcook in an attempt to make it firm in the pot.