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Impress for less and make this delicious chocolate pudding from scratch. It takes less than 15 minutes of prep time and 4 basic ingredients that work like magic!

It’s super easy, no-bake, gluten-free, it doesn’t require gelatine and tastes so good. What’s not to love?

A close-up of a serving of chocolate pudding with a raspberry, over a white background.

Saying that I make this chocolate pudding recipe often is an understatement. We love it, and it makes a quick yet delish dessert with such a small effort, perfect when we have friends over!

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I usually refrigerate it, if I want to unmold it nicely for a more impressive result. However, if I run out of time, I pour it into nice glasses and serve it warm, at room temperature, chilled, whatever I like. Easy peasy.

Serve with fresh berries or a fancy sugar twirl, or even on its own with that delicious caramel syrup. Trust me, it’s a hit!

What ingredients you need

  • Milk

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  • Sugar

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Top view of the ingredients for the chocolate pudding recipe over a white background.

How to make it

  • Sift cocoa powder and corn starch into a saucepan
  • Add milk and sugar
  • Cook gently until you get a luscious chocolate batter
  • Pour into the ramekins, I love these : they allow the pudding to release easily, they’re oven-safe and last forever!

A sieve sifting cocoa powder and corn starch into a saucepan, and a saucepan pouring chocolate pudding into ramekins.

  • Refrigerate, and unmould them after a couple of hours
  • Decorate with fresh berries or toasted nuts, if you like
  • Sit, relax and enjoy!

    • Close-up of a spoon taking a bite of chocolate pudding decorated with a raspberry.

    Recipe notes & tips

    Extra bonus? It’s healthy and packed with milk and unsweetened cocoa powder, one of the most potent antioxidants on the planet. it contains nutrients such as calcium, copper, iron, and magnesium. Cocoa powder is also a good source of protein, dietary fiber, and antioxidants called flavonoids.

    No boxed mix required… only deliciousness.

    Caramel syrup

    If you want to unmold the pudding nicely as shown in the pictures, you need to glaze the bottom of the ramekins with a small amount of caramel syrup.

    And making caramel syrup is easier than you think.

    Basically, you need a tiny amount (as small as a coin) of this hot caramelized sugar at the bottom of each ramekin.

    • You can unrefined cane sugar: it melts fine but it leaves a little hole on the top of the pudding if you serve it upside down.
    • You can use refined or regular sugar: it will give you a better result, smoother finish, and more caramel sauce if you want a sweeter and more indulgent dessert.

    Close-up of chocolate pudding showing its moist texture and its sugar syrup.

    (Recipe updated: originally posted in November 2018, I’ve tweaked the post adding more notes and new pictures).

    Chocolate pudding variations

    This pudding recipe works well with different flavors.

    You can add instant coffee, cinnamon, rum, vanilla essence, or almond essence.

    If you like a twist, go for it and add 1 tsp of the extra ingredient to the milk.

    How long does it keep?

    It keeps well in the fridge for up to 2 days.

    More recipes featuring cocoa powder

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    If you make this super easy chocolate pudding recipe, let me know! Leave a comment, rate it, or tag a photo on Instagram. I would love to hear from you!

    Easy Chocolate Pudding Recipe

    Impress for less and make your own chocolate pudding from scratch in no time! Delicious and creamy, this low fat dessert takes only 4 healthy and inexpensive ingredients, it’s packed with antioxidants and everyone loves it.

    Prep Time5
    Cook Time10
    Total Time15
    CourseDessert
    KeywordChocolate pudding recipe
    Servings4
    Calories235 kcal
    AuthorKatia
    • Saucepan
    • 4 ramekins or glasses

    Caramel syrup

    • 3 Tbsp (45 grams) sugar (optional)

    Chocolate pudding

    • 1/3 cup (40 grams) unsweetened cocoa powder
    • 3 Tbsp (30 grams) cornstarch (level spoons)
    • 1/3 cup (70 grams) sugar
    • 2 cups (473 ml) milk

    Instructions

    Caramel syrup, optional (see notes)

    • Heat the sugar in a heavy saucepan over low/medium heat until it melts and begins to brown. You don't stir the pan at all, just wait and keep an eye on it, since it's a small amount of sugar the caramelization will happen quickly, in about 7-8 minutes.
    • When the sugar is caramelized with a brown/amber color and runny consistency, pour it immediately into the 4 prepared ramekins (I use stainless steel ramekins). The amount of sugar will be approximately 1 tsp per each ramekin. Be careful, it's HOT!

    Chocolate pudding

    • Sift cornstarch and cocoa powder into a saucepan to avoid any lumps (you can use the same saucepan you used for the caramel).
    • Add milk and sugar to the sauce pan and whisk it well.
    • Place the pan over a high/medium heat and bring to a boil, keep stirring.
    • Then reduce the heat from medium to low, and keep stirring for a further 2 minutes (set a timer if you can). You have now a luscious and thick chocolate batter.
    • Pour it immediately into the prepared ramekins. You can serve it warm or, you if prefer to serve it unmoulded with the caramel syrup (as shown in the pictures) let it cool down a bit and then refrigerate for a couple of hours.

    Serve it

    • To unmold, run a sharp knife around the edge of each mold. Place the serving plate over the mold, invert, and tap the mold. The chocolate pudding slips out onto the plate along with the sugar syrup. Decorate with fresh berries if you like, enjoy!
    • It keeps well in the fridge for up to 2 days.
    • CARAMEL SYRUP: a tiny amount (as small as a coin) of this hot caramelized sugar at the bottom of each ramekin will help the release. I leave it optional since the chocolate pudding is enjoyable even without caramel, however, the caramel adds sweet notes and extra moisture.
    • NOTE: nutritional values are estimates only (calculated per serving, including the caramel syrup).