• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • About
    • Contact
    • Subscribe
  • Recipes
    • Easy Dinners
    • Dessert
    • Breakfast and Brunch
    • Thai
    • Gluten-free
    • Vegetarian

Inquiring Chef

menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipes
  • Easy Dinners
  • About
  • Subscribe
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Home > Recipes > Dessert

    Homemade Chocolate Pudding

    Published: Apr 7, 2022 · Modified: Dec 4, 2022 · by Jess Smith · Jump to Recipe · Leave a Comment · This post may contain affiliate links.

    chocolate pudding
    chocolate pudding
    chocolate pudding

    Homemade chocolate pudding is the coziest of simple desserts. Made on the stovetop in about 20 minutes, it’s rich and creamy, thickened with cornstarch, naturally gluten-free.

    chocolate pudding in a small glass jar on a wooden tray

    When I was growing up and we wanted a quick, easy, homemade dessert on a weeknight, my mom would make chocolate pudding. It was a special type of magic to see her combine a few ingredients in a saucepan and, moments later, have a thick, creamy chocolate dessert. Now as a parent, it remains one of my favorite things to make for my kids. 

    The Stovetop Method for Homemade Pudding

    The stovetop method that both my mom and I use is adapted from Hershey’s and uses egg yolks (not the whites) and cornstarch to thicken the chocolate base. This version also uses a tip I found in an old Cook’s Illustrated magazine which advises that the best chocolate flavor comes from a combination of cocoa powder and solid chocolate. When I tested my go-to cocoa powder recipe with a bit of chopped dark chocolate added at the end, I couldn’t believe how much it enhanced the chocolate flavor. 

    This chocolate pudding is incredibly easy to make and uses ingredients that you most likely already have in your kitchen. You can probably mix up a batch right now!

    chocolate pudding in small glass jars in a white baking dish

    How to make Homemade Chocolate Pudding

    1. In a mixing bowl whisk together egg yolks and milk. (Any type of milk will work.)
    2. In a saucepan, combine sugar, unsweetened cocoa powder, cornstarch, and salt. 
    3. Slowly pour the liquids over the dry ingredients, whisking well.
    4. Heat the mixture until it begins to simmer. Whisk it constantly as it heats (this will prevent lumps).
    5. Stir in chopped chocolate or chocolate chips (this gives it extra rich chocolate flavor).
    6. Refrigerate until chilled.
    7. Serve!

    Is Chocolate Pudding Gluten Free?

    Yes. Homemade chocolate pudding that is thickened with cornstarch is a gluten-free dessert. If you are adding bar chocolate or chocolate chips to give the pudding a rich chocolate flavor, be sure that those are certified gluten-free before adding them or just use cocoa powder.

    a spoonful of chocolate pudding over a glass jar full of pudding

    Possible Toppings for Chocolate Pudding

    • Whipped Cream
    • Sprinkles
    • Grated Chocolate
    • Mini Chocolate Chips
    • Strawberries
    • Chocolate or Caramel Sauce
    • Cherries

    More Chocolate Desserts

    • One-Bowl Chocolate Cake
    • Chocolate Chip Ricotta Cake
    • One-Bowl Chocolate Guinness Cake
    • Banana Bread Bundt Cake with Chocolate
    • Homemade Hot Chocolate

    Favorite Tools

    • Saucepan - A good quality saucepan will help the ingredients to heat evenly. 

    chocolate pudding topped with whipped cream in a small glass jar
    chocolate pudding with whipped cream and raspberries in a small glass jar
    Print Recipe
    4.84 from 6 votes

    Homemade Chocolate Pudding

    Creamy, rich, homemade chocolate pudding is made on the stovetop in about 20 minutes. It uses cocoa powder and chocolate for the best chocolate flavor and cornstarch to thicken.
    This makes four generous servings or six smaller servings.
    Prep Time10 mins
    Cook Time10 mins
    Total Time20 mins
    Course: Dessert
    Keyword: chocolate, easy dessert recipe, gluten free, homemade dessert
    Servings: 6
    Calories: 165kcal
    Author: Jess Smith via Inquiring Chef
    Cost: $4.00

    Equipment

    • Saucepan
    • Whisk
    • Mixing Bowls

    Ingredients

    • 2 Egg Yolks (discard egg whites or use them for something else)
    • 2 ½ cups Milk, any type
    • ⅓ cup Sugar
    • ⅓ cup Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
    • 1 ½ Tablespoons Cornstarch
    • 1 Pinch Kosher Salt
    • 2 ounces Dark Chocolate or Chocolate Chips (optional, see note)
    • Whipped Cream, for topping (optional)
    • Shaved Chocolate, for topping (optional)

    Instructions

    • In a mixing bowl, whisk egg yolks until smooth. Add milk to egg yolks while whisking. Set aside.
    • In a medium saucepan, combine sugar, unsweetened cocoa powder, cornstarch, and salt.
    • Pour egg-milk mixture over dry ingredients, whisking well.
    • Place the saucepan over medium-high heat. As the mixture heats, whisk constantly (this is the key to avoiding lumps). When it begins to simmer, add in chocolate. Continue simmering, stirring constantly, until chocolate melts and pudding thickens, about 1 minute.
    • Pour pudding into dessert dishes. Chill for at least one hour.
    • Just before serving, top pudding with whipped cream and shaved chocolate. Serve chilled.

    Notes

    Gluten-Free - For a gluten-free dessert, be sure to use gluten-free chocolate / chocolate chips.
    Dark Chocolate - Adding solid chocolate to the pudding gives it a more rich flavor and texture, but the pudding will come together even without it. Use a high quality baking chocolate like Baker’s Dark Chocolate or ½ cup Chocolate Chips. 
    Make Ahead - Pudding can be made up to 2 days ahead. Cover with plastic wrap, pressing down so that the plastic wrap is in contact with the surface of the pudding. (This will prevent a film forming on the surface of the pudding.)

    Nutrition

    Calories: 165kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 78mg | Sodium: 51mg | Potassium: 232mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 19g | Vitamin A: 251IU | Calcium: 139mg | Iron: 1mg

    Related

    « Easy Wonton Soup
    Tofu Stir-Fry with Asparagus and Cashews »

    About Jess

    Hi! I'm Jess. I am the recipe creator and photographer behind the 900+ recipes you’ll find on Inquiring Chef. As a mom to three young kids and professional cook, my mission is to make every moment in the kitchen and around the table count. If you’re looking for easy, flavorful, family-approved recipes, you’ve come to the right place! Learn more about me here.

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

    Welcome! We're Jess and Frank. Since 2010, we have been serving up easy, original recipes here on Inquiring Chef.

    More about us →

    Latest Recipes

    • Cashew Cream Sauce
    • Vegetable and Rice Stuffed Peppers
    • Lasagna Bolognese
    • Falafel Sandwich

    Trending Recipes

    • Crispy and Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe
    • Honey Ginger Chicken Stir-Fry
    • Mason Jar Overnight Oats
    • Beef and Broccoli Ramen Stir-Fry

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About Us
    • Privacy Policy

    Connect

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates
    • Follow us on Instagram and Pinterest

    Contact

    • Email Us

    Copyright © 2023 Inquiring Chef