This homemade chocolate pudding is rich, creamy, and easy to make from scratch with just a few simple ingredients. It’s just the treat when a chocolate craving hits!

Creamy homemade chocolate pudding in a ramekin topped with a dollop of whipped cream and chocolate shavings.

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Homemade Chocolate Pudding Recipe

Silky, rich, and creamy homemade chocolate pudding beats anything store-bought. Made on the stove with real cocoa, milk, and a few pantry staples, it comes together in minutes for the perfect chocolate fix.

If you love the light feel of chocolate mousse and the smooth bite of a chocolate soufflé, this easy pudding recipe is the best of both worlds. It’s a quick weeknight dessert, a kid-friendly treat, or an indulgent chocolate treat whenever you need one.

Why You’ll Love It

  • Made with a handful of budget-friendly ingredients and no special equipment needed.
  • A chocolaty dessert that can be made ahead and served the next day!

Ingredients Notes

Homemade chocolate pudding ingredients measured out on a counter, including milk, sugar, cocoa powder, cornstarch, vanilla, butter, and salt.

Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.

  • Granulated sugar and cocoa powder: Cocoa powder delivers the chocolate flavor, but is bitter on its own. So, we add sugar to sweeten it.
  • Cornstarch: This is what thickens the pudding.
  • Salt: Enhances the flavor and balances the sweetness.
  • Milk: I recommend using whole milk or 2%. Nothing less!
  • Salted butter: Gives the pudding a smooth, glossy finish.
  • Vanilla extract: Warm flavor that always enhances the taste of chocolate.

How to Make Homemade Chocolate Pudding

Add sugar, cocoa powder, cornstarch, salt, and milk to a medium saucepan and whisk together. Turn the heat to medium and continue whisking until the pudding begins to boil.

Immediately remove it from the heat and stir in the butter and vanilla. It should continue to bubble for at least 30 seconds so the cornstarch has time to do its thing.

Homemade chocolate pudding ingredients whisked together in a saucepan, including sugar, cocoa powder, cornstarch, and salt.
Homemade chocolate pudding mixture simmering in a saucepan with a pat of butter melting in.

Let the pudding cool for 15 minutes. Stand by to whisk every few minutes to prevent a layer of film from forming on the surface of the pudding.

Divide the pudding into 6 small bowls, and enjoy! If you would like to let the pudding sit in the bowls for a bit longer, you can. The pudding will continue to thicken as it sits.

Homemade chocolate pudding cooked until thick and glossy in a saucepan with a wooden spoon.

Recipe Tips

  • Use good-quality cocoa powder. Dutch processed or natural, it’s up to you.
  • Pure vanilla extract. I recommend it over artificial extract for the best flavor.
  • Add ingredients in order listed. Whisking the dry ingredients first, then gradually whisking in the milk, helps keep it extra smooth.
  • It thickens as it sits, and it’s even better once it has a chance to chill, if you have extra time.
  • Serve with a dollop of simple homemade whipped cream and a sprinkle of chocolate shavings on top!
Homemade chocolate pudding cups arranged on a counter, each topped with fresh whipped cream.

Delicious ways to use chocolate pudding include brownie strawberry trifle, chocolate banana cream pie and the best chocolate lasagna.

More Chocolate Dessert Recipes

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Creamy homemade chocolate pudding in a ramekin topped with a dollop of whipped cream and chocolate shavings.

Homemade Chocolate Pudding

5 from 1 vote
Recipe by: Jamielyn Nye
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Cooling Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 6
This homemade chocolate pudding is rich, creamy, and easy to make from scratch with just a few simple ingredients. It's just the treat when a chocolate craving hits!
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Ingredients 

  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • ⅓ cup cocoa powder
  • 3 Tablespoons cornstarch
  • ⅛ teaspoon salt
  • 2 ¼ cups milk
  • 1 Tablespoon salted butter
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  • Whisk ingredients: In a medium sized saucepan, whisk together 3/4 cup sugar, 1/3 cup cocoa powder, 3 Tablespoons cornstarch, 1/8 teaspoon salt, and 2 11/4 cups milk.
  • Cook pudding: Turn heat onto medium, and continue whisking until the pudding begins to boil.
  • Add butter and vanilla: Immediately remove from heat. Add 1 Tablespoon butter and 1 teaspoon vanilla and stir well.
  • Let cool: Allow the pudding to cool for 15 minutes, whisking every few minutes to prevent a film from forming on top. After 15 minutes, divide into 6 bowls. It will continue to thicken as it cools.
  • Serve: Pudding can be served warm or chilled.

Last step: Please leave a comment and rating after you make the recipe.

Notes

If serving chilled, add a piece of plastic wrap to the top before placing in refrigerator. This will prevent a film from forming.

Nutrition

Calories: 196kcal, Carbohydrates: 36g, Protein: 4g, Fat: 6g, Saturated Fat: 3g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 1g, Trans Fat: 0.1g, Cholesterol: 16mg, Sodium: 100mg, Potassium: 212mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 30g, Vitamin A: 207IU, Calcium: 120mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.

Serving Suggestions

It doesn’t get much better than eating a bowl of cooked chocolate pudding by the spoonful, especially when topped with whipped cream and chocolate shavings!

However, having a homemade chocolate pudding recipe in your back pocket comes in handy when making other desserts like peanut butter lasagna and dirt cake for added homemade flair!

Recipe FAQs

Why isn’t my pudding getting thick?

It’s usually a case of not letting the cornstarch bubble for a full 30-60 seconds, so it has time to activate.

How long does homemade pudding last?

Store the pudding in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.

Can I freeze it?

No, not as a bowl of pudding because when thawed, the texture isn’t the same. Instead, you can put it in a popsicle mold for pudding pops!