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Homemade Chocolate Pudding is easy to make and the flavor can’t be beat. You will never make chocolate pudding from a box again!

Some of my other favorite treats and desserts include Apple Crisp, Buckeyes, Chocolate Mug Cake, and Caramel Popcorn!

A homemade Chocolate Pudding recipe divided into individual trifle cups and topped with chocolate shavings.

Why I love homemade pudding:

  • Quick – Only 15 minutes to make this chocolate pudding recipe – that’s faster than a trip to the store!
  • Convenient – it’s made with pantry ingredients you probably already have. I use this recipe to make our triple chocolate trifle.
  • Taste– Nothing beats the rich chocolate taste and smooth texture from homemade chocolate pudding. My kids enjoy it plain or with sliced bananas or crushed Oreo cookies on top and a dollop of whipped cream.

How to make Chocolate Pudding:

Add dry ingredients to a medium saucepan: cornstarch, cocoa powder, sugar, and salt.

Stir in milk, slowly, whisking until smooth.

Two images showing milk being added to a dry mixture of cocoa powder, sugar, salt, and cornstarch to make easy chocolate pudding.

Cook: Turn heat to medium and cook, stirring constantly, until mixture comes to a boil. Boil for 1 minute, then remove from heat and stir in butter and vanilla extract.

The best chocolate pudding recipe simmering in a saucepan.

Refrigerate: Place a piece of plastic wrap directly over the pudding, so the pudding doesn’t form a skin on top as it cools. Allow to cool and refrigerate for at least an hour to allow it to set up.

Plastic wrap set right on top of Chocolate Pudding in a large bowl before going in the fridge.

Serve cold for dessert, or add a scoop of whipped cream, chocolate curls, or sliced bananas. Use to make chocolate delight, or in a chocolate trifle.

A spoon taking a bite of simple chocolate pudding out of a individual dessert cup.

To Make Ahead: This simple chocolate pudding recipe can be made 1-2 days ahead of time. Store in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

More Pudding Recipes:

5 from 16 votes

Chocolate Pudding

Author: Lauren Allen
This homemade Chocolate Pudding recipe is quick to make with pantry ingredients, and the taste can't be beat. You will never want to buy store-bought pudding again.
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 10 minutes
Refrigerate: 1 hour
Total: 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 8
Cost: 5

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Ingredients 
 

Instructions 

  • In a medium saucepan, stir together cornstarch, cocoa powder, sugar, and salt. Slowly stir in cold milk until combined.
  • Turn heat to medium and cook, stirring constantly, until mixture comes to a boil. Boil for 1 minute, then remove from heat and stir in butter and vanilla extract.
  • Place a piece of plastic wrap directly over the pudding, so the pudding doesn’t form a skin on top as it cools. Allow to cool and refrigerate for at least an hour to allow it to set up.

Notes

Yield: About 4 ½ cups.
Make Ahead Instructions: This simple chocolate pudding recipe can be made 1-2 days ahead of time. Store in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

Nutrition

Calories: 227kcal, Carbohydrates: 38g, Protein: 5g, Fat: 8g, Saturated Fat: 5g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g, Monounsaturated Fat: 2g, Trans Fat: 0.1g, Cholesterol: 22mg, Sodium: 71mg, Potassium: 267mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 31g, Vitamin A: 285IU, Calcium: 158mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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About The Author

Lauren Allen

Welcome! I’m Lauren, a mom of four and lover of good food. Here you’ll find easy recipes and weeknight meal ideas made with real ingredients, with step-by-step photos and videos.

5 from 16 votes (6 ratings without comment)
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38 Comments
Judi
21 hours ago

Would this be firm enough to use for chocolate cream pie?

Admin
Stacy Popham
14 hours ago
Reply to  Judi

Yes, I think so. It’s a cornstarch-thickened pudding that sets up nicely once chilled, so it should work as a filling. I haven’t tested it in a pie, so I’d chill the pie for several hours before slicing.

b_ritt0112@hotmail.com
10 days ago

Do you put hot pudding in individual small jars or cool first in bulk and then transfer once cooled?

Admin
Stacy Popham
3 days ago

Either works, but I’d pour it into the jars while it’s still warm so it sets smooth right in them. Press plastic wrap or a lid directly onto the surface to prevent a skin, then refrigerate for at least an hour. If you chill it in bulk and then transfer it, it’ll be a bit looser once it’s stirred.