This chocolate pudding is unbelievably smooth, intensely chocolatey, and far better than anything from a box. With just a few pantry staples, you get a luxurious dessert perfect for serving warm or chilled.
🍫 Ingredients (4 servings)
Dry Ingredients
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½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
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½ cup granulated sugar
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3 tablespoons cornstarch
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Pinch of salt
Wet Ingredients
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2 cups whole milk (or 1½ cups milk + ½ cup cream for extra richness)
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1 teaspoon vanilla extract
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2 tablespoons butter (optional but adds silkiness)
👩🍳 Instructions
1. Mix the dry ingredients
In a medium saucepan (off heat), whisk together:
✔ cocoa powder
✔ sugar
✔ cornstarch
✔ salt
This prevents lumps later.
2. Add the milk
Slowly pour in the milk while whisking continuously until the mixture is smooth and lump-free.
3. Cook the pudding
Place the saucepan over medium heat. Cook while whisking nonstop.
The mixture will:
1️⃣ Warm up
2️⃣ Start to steam
3️⃣ Thicken suddenly
Once it begins to bubble slowly, continue whisking for 1 more minute to fully activate the cornstarch.
4. Add finishing touches
Remove from heat and immediately whisk in:
✔ vanilla extract
✔ butter (optional, for a glossy finish)
Pudding should now be shiny, thick, and smooth.
5. Serve
You may serve:
-
Warm → soft, silky, comforting
-
Chilled → firm, rich, classic pudding texture
To prevent a “skin” from forming as it cools, press plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the pudding.
🍨 Tips for Perfection
🔸 Make it darker
Add 1–2 tablespoons extra cocoa powder.
🔸 Make it sweeter
Add 2 more tablespoons sugar.
🔸 Make it extra creamy
Replace ½ cup milk with heavy cream.
