Velvety smooth Homemade Chocolate Pudding made completely from scratch is a simple recipe that everyone will love. Easy to make from whole ingredients and the perfect dessert for any occasion.

Chocolate pudding in a glass dish with whipped cream and chocolate chips with more dishes on a white platter in the background.


Homemade Chocolate Pudding

Chocolate Pudding is a simple comfort food I crave regularly. I used to make brownies and chocolate pudding from a box a lot for a quick and easy snack that was ready in no time. But a lot of instant pudding mixes have a ton of stabilizers and artificial flavors to I made something a little better….better tasting and better for you.

This easy Chocolate Pudding recipe is made from scratch with ingredients you can readily find in your kitchen right now. Ready in under 30 minutes, you can enjoy this sweet and creamy pudding warm or chilled. A great prep ahead dessert for entertaining or just to have on hand during the week.

Ingredients for Chocolate Pudding

The ingredient list is short and sweet with no added egg so this is a great recipe for those that can’t have eggs.

  • Half and Half – A lighter alternative to cream, half and half keeps this pudding rich and creamy. For a more decadent dessert, you can use whole cream.
  • Granulated Sugar
  • Light Brown Sugar – The richer flavor of brown sugar makes this pudding even more delicious. You can substitute with regular granulated sugar or dark brown sugar, if you prefer.
  • Unsalted Butter
  • Vanilla Extract
  • Corn Starch – Used as a thickening agent since we’re not using eggs, you can swap for flour (just cut the amount by 1/2 tablespoon.)
  • Cocoa Powder
  • Semi-Sweet Chocolate
One small glass dish with chocolate pudding topped with whipped cream.

How To Make Chocolate Pudding

I was inspired to make the very best Chocolate Pudding from scratch when I accidentally made this Vanilla Pudding.  What I didn’t tell you in that post is that, it was kind of an accident. I tested out recipes for pastry cream, wasn’t paying attention to what I was doing and voila, the Very Best Vanilla Pudding ever.

  1. Bring Half and half to a simmer.
  2. Whisk in sugar and cook until dissolved.
  3. Stir in the butter until melted.
  4. Whisk the remaining half and half with the cornstarch and coco powder in a separate bowl.
  5. Add the cornstarch mixture to the half and half.
  6. Cook until thickened.
  7. Stir in the chopped chocolate and cook until melted.
  8. Transfer to a bowl and cover with plastic wrap.
  9. Chill for 2 hours or up to 24 hours.
Chocolate pudding in a glass dish with a bit of whipped cream on top.

How To Serve Chocolate Pudding

I love how easy it is to make the best Chocolate Pudding from scratch and this is definitely an activity you can get the little ones to help with.

You can use this Chocolate Pudding to make poke cakes or a no bake summer treat like a pie!

It’s also the base for this amazing Chocolate Banana Pudding!

Chocolate pudding in a glass dish with a spoonful of pudding over top of it.

More Easy Pudding Recipes

Topped with a bit of whipped cream, this Chocolate Pudding is a dream come true.

Serve with a few of these chocolate chip cookies or this chocolate martini.

And if you’re looking for something a little less chocolate or vanilla….this Butterscotch Pudding is completely amazing!!

For more easy dessert recipe ideas, follow us on Instagram and Facebook!

Chocolate pudding in a glass dish with a bit of whipped cream on top.

Get the Recipe: The Best Chocolate Pudding Recipe

Yield: 6 servings
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
Made from scratch, this homemade chocolate pudding is velvety smooth and sweet as a custard pie.
4.58 from 7 votes
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Ingredients

  • 2 1/2 cups half and half
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup lightly packed light brown sugar
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, I use Plugra European Style Butter
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract, I use Nielsen-Massey
  • 3 tablespoons corn starch
  • 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped high quality semi-sweet chocolate, I used Guittard

Equipment

  • 1 saucepan

Instructions 

  • In a medium saucepan, bring 2 cups of half and half to a simmer (do not boil).
  • Add both sugars and vanilla. Cook until the sugar is completely dissolved, stirring constantly to prevent scalding. Stir in the butter until melted. I
  • n a small bowl, whisk together the remaining half and half with the cornstarch and cocoa powder. Slowly add the cornstarch mixture to the half and half whisking constantly.
  • Continue cooking until the mixture has thickened and coats the back of a spoon.
  • Stir in the chopped chocolate until melted. Transfer the mixture to a bowl and cover with plastic wrap being sure the plastic wrap is touching the top of the pudding. (This will prevent a skin from forming.) Refrigerate for 2 hours or up to 24 hours.
Serving: 1g, Calories: 391kcal, Carbohydrates: 43g, Protein: 5g, Fat: 23g, Saturated Fat: 14g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 7g, Trans Fat: 0.2g, Cholesterol: 51mg, Sodium: 68mg, Potassium: 286mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 35g, Vitamin A: 539IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 131mg, Iron: 2mg
Author: Kellie
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American