Rich creamy chocolate pudding (Printable Version)

Creamy chocolate dessert cups with smooth texture, chilled and topped with whipped cream and chocolate shavings.

# What You Need:

→ Dairy

01 - 2 cups whole milk
02 - 1/2 cup heavy cream

→ Chocolate

03 - 3.5 oz semisweet chocolate, chopped

→ Dry Ingredients

04 - 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
05 - 1/2 cup granulated sugar
06 - 3 tablespoons cornstarch
07 - 1/4 teaspoon salt

→ Flavorings

08 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

→ Optional Toppings

09 - Whipped cream
10 - Chocolate shavings

# How to Make It:

01 - In a medium saucepan, whisk together sugar, cocoa powder, cornstarch, and salt.
02 - Slowly whisk in the whole milk and heavy cream until mixture is smooth.
03 - Place saucepan over medium heat and stir constantly until thickened and bubbling, about 7 to 10 minutes.
04 - Remove from heat and whisk in chopped semisweet chocolate until fully melted and smooth.
05 - Stir in vanilla extract evenly throughout the pudding.
06 - Divide pudding evenly into four serving cups.
07 - Press plastic wrap directly onto pudding surface in each cup to avoid a skin forming.
08 - Refrigerate for at least 1 hour or until fully chilled and set.
09 - Optionally top each pudding cup with whipped cream and chocolate shavings before serving.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It tastes like pure indulgence but comes together in under 20 minutes—no fancy techniques required
  • The texture is silky and elegant, making you feel like you're treating yourself to something special
  • It's easy enough for weeknight desserts but impressive enough to serve guests without apology
02 -
  • Whisk constantly while heating—this is non-negotiable. If you stop, you risk lumps forming in the cocoa powder, and they're nearly impossible to fix later
  • The pudding thickens more as it cools, so when it's in the pan it should look slightly looser than your target consistency. Don't overcook it or you'll end up with something too stiff
  • Plastic wrap directly on the surface is the secret to preventing that unpleasant skin. It's a small step that makes a huge difference
03 -
  • Use a whisk, not a wooden spoon—it breaks up lumps as they form rather than letting them hide
  • Room temperature ingredients mix more smoothly than cold ones, so take your milk and cream out of the fridge a few minutes early

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