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There's nothing quite as nostalgically delicious as Homemade Chocolate Pudding. No box mix, no plastic container, this is the real deal from scratch. It's a perfect dessert just for two. It's gonna be awesome.
Remember during lockdown when suddenly everyone was forced into their kitchens? People were suddenly baking banana bread and growing sourdough starters. I'm hoping we can all hold onto that enthusiasm for homecooked food for a little while longer.
Cooking and baking from home is not only inherently more economical, it can also be better for the environment. The less pre-packaged food we bring home, the less plastic waste we tend to create. Of course, it's not always as simple as that, but it's a good place to start. And I thoroughly believe that cooking and baking is good for your soul. It's my favorite way to send love to the ones I love, and I believe that permeates out into the universe and makes the world a better place. Call me naive if you like, but I feel it deeply.
This Homemade Chocolate Pudding for Two is the perfect way to share a little love. People of my generation have come to think of pudding as something that comes from a box of instant pudding mix or those snack packs we used to take to school in our lunchboxes. I'll still happily eat those, but they can't top the real thing.
Made with simple ingredients like cream, sugar, and chocolate, this pudding is thickened with the magic of corn starch and heat. You have total control of the quality of the ingredients, so you can make it as simple or extravagant as you like. A little patient attention yields a smooth, creamy, chocolaty dessert that no one will doubt was made with love.
How to make Homemade Chocolate Pudding
Homemade pudding is pretty easy, but it does need your attention. Start by adding cocoa powder, corn starch, sugar, and salt to a saucepan and whisking them together. Then we're going to slowly whisk in some half and half to make sure we don't get any lumps. Then we're just going to stir it over low heat until it thickens. You can be a bit more relaxed about the stirring until it starts to bubble. You'll want to stir constantly after that to make sure it doesn't scorch. Resist the urge to crank up the heat. Burnt milk does not taste good.
You'll also want to measure out your chocolate, butter, and vanilla before you get started. Once your pudding thickens, you can take it off the heat and stir these in all at once, but you'll want to work quickly as your mixture will continue to thicken. It may look a bit of a mess at first, but just keep stirring and everything will melt and incorporate into a silky smooth mixture. Divide this between two glasses and chill in the fridge for a few hours. You pretty much have to top this with whipped cream when you're ready to eat. I think it's the law.
FAQ
Chocolate pudding is a bit more dense and thickened with cornstarch. Chocolate mousse is usually much lighter because it's basically thickened with air. Whipped cream and whipped egg whites are usually folded together with melted chocolate for a cloud-like consistency
If you don't want a skin to form on the top of your pudding, place a piece of plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the pudding before you put it in the fridge. Note this is not over the top of the container but directly touching the pudding. The aim is to keep air from getting onto the surface. Works like a charm.
Make it magical
We've covered chocolate before, but I think it bears further investigation. Cacao beans were apparently used as currency by the Mayans, hence its association with prosperity. I don't know that I'd totally object to being paid in chocolate. Both science and magic have proven that chocolate makes you feel happier and raises your vibration, so call on its energy anytime you need a bit of a lift. (Source: Rachel Patterson)
Go back in time, slow down a bit, and create a little love by making some Homemade Chocolate Pudding for Two. It's pure, unadulterated awesomeness.
Looking for more awesome pudding recipes? Try this Salted Caramel Pudding or a Brownie Butterscotch Parfait.
PrintHomemade Chocolate Pudding for Two
There's nothing quite as nostalgically delicious as Homemade Chocolate Pudding. No box mix, no plastic container, this is the real deal from scratch. It's a perfect dessert just for two. It's gonna be awesome.
- Prep Time: 5
- Cook Time: 40
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- ⅓ cup sugar
- Pinch of salt
- 1-½ cups half and half
- 3 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 tablespoon butter
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
- Whipped cream
Instructions
- Add cocoa powder, corn starch, sugar, and salt to a medium sauce pan and whisk to combine. Place pan over medium low heat, and slowly whisk in the half and half. Try not to leave any lumps. Allow this mixture to come to a simmer, stirring frequently with a silicone spatula so you can scrape the bottom and sides of the pan.
- Once it starts to bubble, stir constantly until the mixture become very thick, like pudding, duh. This can take a while, so be patient.
- Add the chocolate, butter, and vanilla to the pudding mixture. I like to measure all these things out ahead of time in one bowl so I can just dump everything in together. Continue cooking and stirring until your pudding is smooth. You may think it's all a huge disaster for a moment, but the chocolate will eventually incorporate. Just keep stirring.
- Pour your thick pudding mixture into two of your funnest glasses. Place some plastic wrap right onto the surface of the pudding, and then put your cups in the fridge to chill for at least two hours.
- When you're ready to serve, remove the plastic wrap, dollop on a little too much whipped cream,find your favorite person, and dig in.
Keywords: Chocolate, Pudding
Don't forget to leave a rating or a comment if you tried this recipe. Thanks for being so awesome.
Marie says
Oh wow! That looks so yummy! Great to have a recipe just for two! 😀
Renee says
Mahalo! Sometimes less is more when you're trying to save money.
Kalliste says
YUM! Looks great and relatively easy 🙂 I'm glad it worked out for you in the end.
I'm starving just thinking about it.
Renee says
Sometimes you just have to apply more heat!
Lindsay @ The Lean Green Bean says
i have homemade chocolate pudding on my list to conquer for my hubby. this looks great! #sitssharefest
Renee says
It just takes a little patience. I hope you both enjoy!
GiselleR @ Diary of an ExSloth says
I've learned that 'never give up' lesson so many times in the kitchen as well!
Pudding looks great 😀
Stopping by from SITS
Renee says
Mahalo!
Susan - ofeverymoment says
A life lesson from chocolate pudding - what could be better!
I'm glad I clicked on this from the Saturday Sharefest.
Renee says
Mahalo for stopping by!
Akaleistar says
Oh, yummy! Chocolate pudding is one of my favorites!
Renee says
I love it, too. I don't eat it nearly enough.
heidi says
Oh, this looks so wonderful. And I like that it's just for two.
Renee says
Mahalo! I find I can save money and waste less by making just what I need.
Linda Marie Finn says
Oh love this , I love choclate pudding...
Hugs
Linda
Renee says
Mahalo, Linda!
Madaline says
Yay!!! A homemade pudding recipe! I live in Italy where we can't get the box kind and i'm always telling my husband about pudding which he can't wrap his head around! Going to try this soon!
Found via Sits!
Renee says
My English husband was also perplexed by pudding, but I've convinced him. I hope you like it.