Easy Chocolate Pudding Recipe

This rich and velvety smooth kid friendly chocolate pudding comes together quickly right on your stovetop in less than twenty minutes.

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Keyword best chocolate pudding recipe, how to make chocolate pudding, how to make chocolate pudding from scratch

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 10

Servings servings

Calories 245kcal

Author Beth Pierce

In a medium saucepan sift together brown sugar, cornstarch, salt and cocoa.
Whisk in the milk until combined. Turn heat to medium/medium low and continue whisking and stirring.
Bring to a full boil and then reduce to a simmer while whisking and stirring. Cook for 1 1/2 to 2 minutes or until thickened. Remove from the heat and stir in the butter and vanilla.
Pour the pudding into a bowl and press a piece of plastic wrap directly on to the surface of the pudding. This will keep a skin from forming on the pudding. For best results chill for several hours.
Store leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container.

Use good quality unsweetened cocoa powder like Ghirardelli. It will give you a richer chocolate flavor.
Pull the butter out of the fridge and let it soften on the counter while you prepare the pudding.
If available, use real vanilla extract. I know it is pricey, but it really does make a difference. Costco sells a large bottle of it for a fairly reasonable price if you do a lot of baking. I always check the expiration date before I purchase it to calculate if I will be able to finish the bottle.
Reduce the heat if need be to keep the pudding from a hard boil or from sticking or scorching to the bottom of the pan.
Don't stop stirring and whisking. Both steps are very important in the final outcome of the pudding.
After the pudding is cooked, continue stirring every couple of minutes to prevent a skin from forming.
This pudding is delicious and served either warm or chilled.
To keep a skin from forming, place a piece of plastic wrap right on top of the pudding after pouring it into a bowl.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.