Alright friends… I’m back in the game and I’m comin’atcha!
I’ve been rooting from the sidelines with salad pompoms. I’ve tried to distract you with brightly colored juiced. I’ve taunted you with creamy polenta that’s baked and savory and so cheesy delicious (and you should still TOTALLY indulge in that gem of a recipe), but none of it quite fills in for what you’ve come to expect around these parts.
I know what you’ve come to expect: flaky pie crust, too many cat pictures, and a questionable amount of chocolate and peanut butter.
Ok! I’m back in the game. Really all it took was a few quality minutes of daydreaming about peanut butter cups… as though that’s a reasonable pastime. Chocolate pudding meets peanut butter pudding with a few chocolate sprinkles for good measure. Ooh happy Friday indeed!
I’m going to go ahead and check ‘make good decisions’ off my Friday list. Done.
Stove top pudding is easy to make! The trick? A good whisk and a good whisking arm, and (with this particular recipe) a willingness to make pudding not once, but twice. The essentials of this pudding are cow-based and creamy.
Pudding essentials include:
Whole milk (because we’re worth it)
Heavy cream (because we’re totally worth it)
Cornstarch (for sexy pudding thickness)
Salt and homemade vanilla extract (for flavor boostings and feelings of accomplishment and inner peace)
Pudding extras could include anything under the sun (excluding laundry detergent and kale). Peanut butter and chocolate are natural/easy/duh choices.
Pudding extra credit includes:
Peanut Butter (nutty and all-natural)
Brown Sugar (for that soft, round, big happy sweetness)
Cocoa Powder (dark and moody is just right)
Milk Chocolate (extra creamy and nearly divine)
One pan. Two puddings.
First the peanut butter pudding comes together. Milk and cream are whisked together with brown sugar and cornstarch. When the mixture starts to simmer, the cornstarch kicks into gear and starts to thicken slightly. Adding the peanut butter will super thicken the pudding. It’s like a magic trick with peanut butter.
Peanut butter pudding is divided between six pretty vessels.
Pan is quick-rinsed and chocolate pudding is made in the same fashion as our first pudding situation: milk and cream + sugar and chocolate + cornstarch and salt and heat and go!!
Layering the creamy chocolate pudding over the peanut butter pudding is so satisfying. These two tones of browns are so familiar to my taste buds, just the sight of these colors can make my mouth water.
Whip cream topped, chocolate sprinkled, chilled, and ready for spooning!
This pudding is as comforting as it is easy to make. The peanut butter and chocolate combination is utterly undeniable. The two flavors were made for one another… just ask the Peanut M&M. I wish someone would dare me to write an entire cookbook on peanut butter and chocolate, because I’d totally do it exactly right now (and maybe I’ve already started it… no bigs).
If you have the patience to make, not one, but two fine puddings, you’ll be doubly rewarded with a flavor combination of classic power. Like Helen of Troy, without the deception, war, or horse. It’s like a party trick… if you’re grand scheme is delicious. Aaaand I’m done making poor analogies and bad comparisons.
Enjoy! xo
Chocolate and Peanut Butter Pudding
makes 6 servings
adapted from Bon Appetit January 2009
For the Peanut Butter Pudding:
1/3 cup packed light brown sugar
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 cups whole milk
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup creamy all-natural peanut butter (only peanuts and salt)
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
For the Chocolate Pudding:
1/3 cup packed light brown sugar
2 tablespoons cornstarch
2 tablespoons unsweetened natural cocoa powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 cups whole milk
1/2 cup heavy cream
4 ounces milk chocolate, coarsely chopped
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
For the Whipped Cream:
1 cup heavy cream
3 tablespoons powered sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Make one pudding at a time unless you have super human whisking skills. First make the peanut butter pudding.
In a large saucepan whisk together brown sugar, cornstarch, and salt. Whisk just to combine. It’s ok if the mixture is just a bit lumpy. Add the milk and heavy cream and whisk. Turn the flame on to medium heat. Bring the mixture to a simmer, whisking occasionally along the way. Be sure to whisk in the rounded corners of the pan so that pudding doesn’t burn.
Once the peanut butter pudding comes to a simmer, whisk constantly at a simmer for 1 minute. Mixture should thicken but still remain a bit loose. Remove from the heat and add peanut butter and vanilla extract. Quickly whisk and pudding will thicken substantially. Divide warm pudding between six glasses. Store uncovered in the refrigerator while you make the chocolate pudding.
To make the chocolate pudding, in a (clean and dry) large saucepan, whisk together sugar, cornstarch, cocoa powder, and salt. It’s ok if there are a few brown sugar lumps remaining. Add milk and cream and whisk to incorporate. Turn the flame on to medium heat. Bring to a simmer, whisking occasionally along the way. Be sure to whisk in the rounded corners of the pan so the pudding doesn’t burn.
Once the chocolate pudding comes to a simmer, whisk constantly at a simmer for 1 minute. Mixture should thicken but still remain a bit loose. Remove from heat and add chopped chocolate and vanilla extract. Stir until the chocolate is melted and pudding is thickened.
Spoon the pudding atop the peanut butter pudding. Cover each pudding cup with plastic wrap so that the plastic wrap touches the top of the chocolate pudding. Chill for at least 2 hours before serving. This recipe can be made a day in advance.
When ready to serve, whip heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract into soft peaks. Top each pudding with whipped cream and chocolate sprinkles. Serve.
151 Responses
haven’t seen this combo yet but it sounds and looks so goood
You are listing brown sugar in the ingredients for the chocolate pudding too, but then don’t mention it anywhere in the instructions for the chocolate pudding. Can you please clarify whether the chocolate pudding uses brown sugar or this is just a mistake please?
I love your ‘real food’ posts as much as the dessert ones so keep the variety coming! These puddings look so delicious. Daydreaming a reason to make them as we speak! Is the first day of summer a reason?
This looks amazing! However, I am intolerant to corn.. What can I use to replace cornstach to make thick puddings?
tapioca starch?
Joy! I made these last night and threw in an extra layer of salted caramel on top of the chocolate. Now they are hidden away (literally hidden under portobello mushroom caps and arugala) in the fridge waiting to be topped with whipped cream as a birthday surprise! Thanks so much for the recipe and inspiration :)
oh, and an excuse to lick a pudding bowl in my mid-twenties.
<3
Finally got around to making this. Incredible! I used bittersweet chocolate instead of milk, and I’m very happy with the results. My toddler is a fan, too!
technically made me hungry for real :( :)
Looks amazing! I can’t wait to try it.
mmmm interesting recipes, good pictures, very tasty resemble the Mediterranean cuisine which we do in Spain. We invite you to visit my blog from Spain, with traditional recipes from the State of Valencia.
This week “The Giraboix” in https://valenciagastronomic.blogspot.com.es
Going to lose?
Hi! I tried this recipe and it did not work :( the pudding did not thicken, what could be the problem ? Did follow the instructions
oh my. looks like a little piece of heaven!
xo, cheyenne
I made this tonight and it was luscious and fabulous!! Thanks! :)
When I made this recipe from Bon Appetit a few years ago, my peanut butter pudding ended up much denser than my chocolate pudding. While I loved the interplay of flavors, I found the different textures distracting. Did your puddings turn out to be the same density? how did you compensate for the thickening nature of the peanut butter?
This looks fabulous as do the photos!! Beautiful and oh, so, tempting…such perfect timing for me – my little guy (just turned 3) has never experienced pudding and he’s been recently asking for it…(became aware of it through a children’s book) He loves peanut butter and chocolate – what a great introduction! Excited to try this recipe – I’ve never made homemade pudding before…yummy…
So naughty, but so delicious! The perfect combination ever.
I just made this and it’s amazing. It’s intense and soo much better than store pudding…I can’t wait to make it again. I made the baked polenta for the same meal and then had to make that again two days later…
just so delicious. Thanks!
This post and the whole website is like a perfectly molded delicious dream! <3
We made these (this?) on our second freezing cold weekend in a row. . . our one suggestion is to make this one day ahead as we found it was good on Saturday night but spectacular on Sunday afternoon! Covered with plastic, the whipped cream topping didn’t even wilt. Thanks for making January in Maine a little more bearable!
Looks yummy, peanut butter is my favorite so I will have to try this. PS: I really like your savory posts too! I made the polenta, it was awesome!
I have been looking for an excuse to use my super human whisking skills. This looks DIVINE!
love love love! I have to try!!!!
When was the last time I saw perky orange ears? Not too many cat pictures, never!
Joy:
You popped up on my I-pad as I was checking e-mails. I am a retired
baker & everything else at our local hospital & my middle name is Joy.
Your pudding looks great, I hope to make soon. Good luck on your
next 5 years.
Sincerely:
Margie Joy Leatherwood
Hi, I just have to let you know I made these puddings over the weekend and they were divine! My family loves chocolate and peanut butter and we all devoured our bowls. I will be making another batch soon! Thanks for sharing such a lovely dessert.
I need to buy more milk anyway, so I don’t see why I cannot make this tonight. It looks delicious!
I couldn’t resist making this (with a few mods) and I’m not sure why instant pudding was ever invented! It must just be cornstarch and fake sugar. ick.
Instead of peanut butter, I used Bourbon Cream Liqueur and… it ruined the thickening effect! If I had put it in at the beginning I think it might have been better. Regardless, it was delicious with the chocolate pudding and whipped cream! Just another winner!
Oh man, are you serious right now? This looks incredible. Perfect for Valentine’s Day!! By the way, we love your podcast a lot.
oh my goodness… thank you. just thank you.
These look so yummy! Beautiful photographs!
xx Kait
I decided to try this recipe because I love everything that’s in there. Though I found it a lot sweeter than I thought, my boyfriend loved it and he can’t get enough of it. Plus, it is simple to do! Thanks Joy!
And to think I thought making raw brownies and then layer raw pb cookies on top would be the best invention ever. This pudding puts that idea to shame. Still the brownie, peanut butter cookie layering might happen… https://wp.me/s32xdW-dates
Welcome back Joy the BAKER!!! This peanut butter pudding has me longing for some homemade whip cream. I made your cookies and cream pudding from the cookbook and that did not disappoint so I can not wait to try this!
I just made Deb’s pudding recipe for the first time and now I’m addicted to homemade pudding, so much better than anything from a box! This looks delightful!
OMG, Joy! I want to take a swan dive off the high dive right into this beautiful dessert (/breakfast/lunch/dinner/snack)! Keep up the crazy good work, Joy! Love it!
I want to take a swan dive off of the high dive right into this beautiful dessert (/breakfast/lunch/dinner/snack)! Keep up your crazy good work, Joy! Love it!
This would be a great midnight snack that is not too fattening.
Oh Joy! You do not disappoint. I come to your site looking for a bit joy and beauty after a long day, and — Chocolate peanut butter pudding — So perfect. Thank you.
Also – totes maj bonkers!
Yay for chocolate!
I made this tonight and it turned out so delicious.
this was hilarious. thank you.
I made this recipe this afternoon and the pb batch tasted great but never set. It was more like a thick-ish sauce. Is its from the PB? Should I add more corn starch to the PB batch than I do to the chocolate batch? The chocolate batch set nicely & tasted great.
Love these photos and the pudding looks lovely. I wish I had your eye for beauty. Alas, we all have some inspiration. Thank you!
Love this idea and the combo of peanut butter and chocolate. I’m also crazy about bananas with peanut butter. At first, I thought I’d add a layer of banana pudding but then decided to add some sliced bananas between the layers. This brings in the banana flavor but fresher and with a bit of textural interest. Maybe instead of (or in addition to) chocolate sprinkles on top, I’ll add some chopped candied peanuts.
Thank you for the wonderful recipe and ideas. Now I have several desserts with one recipe.
Joy Darling,
Can I make this into a pie by putting it into a baked crust or would the consistency need to be adjusted? I love pudding, but I also love pie. Let’s do it.
This would be extra delightful with a layer of graham cracker crust and some bananas between the peanut butter and chocolate layers.
i like the way you think!
I seriously think I just died. I can notvwaitvto try this and I am going to make them when nobody is home so I can eat the entire recipe by myself. Diet be damned!
Oh my goodness, these just look absolutely divine :) I am addicted to all things chocolate pb. I will have to try to make this. Soon.
Holy cow. Since you made that mention of pudding its been all I could think about!! Talk about the power of suggestion!
I could eat chocolate and peanut butter every day for the rest of my life. LOVE this!
Whoah. How did I NOT know how to make stove-top pudding?! I daresay, you JUUUUUUST changed my life.
This post has inspired me to not only try this specific recipe, but try out other flavors of pudding!!! …Do you think I can figure out how pudding-fy bourbon??? :D
YUM! I cannot get enough of this combo!!
I’m ready to dive in to peanut butter pudding ville and never look back! These never-ending jars of delicious pudding look fantastic. Glad to have ya back, Joy ;)
Yay! My daughter is home for the weekend and this is her hands down favorite flavor combination. We will be having pudding this weekend:-)
Thanks Joy!
I’ve put myself on a diet now this. Those puddings just look so darn good.
What do they say everything in moderation ?
It’s so cold here winter has come with a force. I think some pudding would help.
I love your descriptions of food! I’m sitting here at the hair salon waiting for my color to process to cover my grays (28 is too young for this!) and now all I can think about is creamy chocolate and peanut butter pudding!
So when can I buy your peanut butter and chocolate only recipe book? =) Waiting with anticipation…..
Best combo ever. and you make pudding-making seem so easy! hey i can do that!
I love how you use words. Especially concerning food. This pudding looks great.
Oh thank goodness. I can’t tell you how all those juicing pictures were just making me feel bad about myself.
Back to dessert!
i so need to make this for my mom, who is the biggest pb fan perhaps in the history of the world. and let’s face it, she may have passed that gene down to me.
My husband is a Reese’s fiend, this pudding is right up his alley!
Lovely presentation, lovely post. I must make pudding this weekend.
Oh so in love! Thank you, I’m making this for a special fancy dinner with friends this weekend and will be perusing your archives for the rest of the dishes. :)
I want this so badly, right now. PB and chocolate is my all time favorite combos. Once again, you left me hungry!
oh my gosh Joy! I feel the same way about PB and Chocolate, they were meant to be!! Now that I’m done drooling all over my comp, I’m gonna add this to the list to try :)
Cheers~
Oooh. Perhaps I’ll try my Helen of Troy out tonight – I LOVE pudding.
I love a good pudding. This recipe is awesome!
Must have this!
I’m in love!! I {heart} pudding so so much!!
I just popped an orange-yoghurt pound cake in the oven (orange marmelade and yoghurt topping will go over it as soon as it’s baked); thought I’d check out Facebook while waiting and – lo and behold! – the peanut butter/chocolate devil has struck! Thankfully there’s no peanut butter in the cupboard, so this will have to wait till tomorrow… but my mouth is already watering in anticipation!
YUM! I wish I was full of this pudding, but really I’m just full of regret for not having sampled this in its entirety! Putting this on my “to make” list.
yum!! is that chocolate peanut butter cookbook available to pre-order? :)
And it was National Peanut Butter Day the other day – so good timing! I am sooo making this today! It’s a rainy day in San Diego. I need a pick me up tonight!! Thanks!
So making this for V-Day!
me encanta tu blog
gracias por compartir
Hey Joy, because you’ve already been dared to write an entire cookbook about the wonders of peanut butter and chocolate, I dare you to speculate on when we can expect it!
I’m intrigued by this – I have to admit I have never tried pudding – is it like custard?! Pudding doesn’t appear that much in the UK but I get the impression that it’s popular over there in the states, I may just have to try this recipe to see what the fuss is about!
Rosie: Y’know the Rolo yogurt/dessert pots you can get in the chilled section? The chocolate section of that is like chocolate pudding (it might be a little more set). The UK and Ireland need more pudding, how about we bring it to our respective lands with this delicious-sounding dessert? :D
Oh yep, you did that, and I am going to get on this like crazy!
I think you definitely should finish that cookbook :) You can’t go wrong with chocolate and peanut butter!!!!
Totally worth it!
Looks so yummy! How would this idea work with coconut or soy milk?
I think so, i’ve never tried it myself, but sounds like it should work.
This pudding looks absolutely to die for!
I love your poor analogies and bad comparisons! I also love pudding, so I’m really glad I stopped here this morning…
Holy cow, these look amazing!!!!!! Wasn’t yesterday National Peanut Butter day? I need to make this. I have a banana pudding recipe, too. Might be fun to make Elvis pudding and layer that in there as well. I’m drooling and lunch is still 45 minutes away.
No such thing as too many cat pictures ;)
oooooh I double dare you to create that cookbook! that makes my belly feel all kinds of happy.
Ooohhhh man, pudding is one of my favorite things and chocolate peanut butter?! YESSSSSSSSSSSSS!!! I hope you really do a chocolate and peanut butter cookbook — it’s my favorite combo! This is awesome!
O my god that looks insane!!!! x
GROAN…. I’m gonna be craving this for the rest of the day! Thank you so much for the pudding love…. this will definitely be made tomorrow!
One pan. Two puddings?! You read my mind.. :)
In my very pregnant state (due in 3 weeks!), I’ve been craving peanut butter AND chocolate.. This sounds divine.–and perfect for Valentine’s Day!
Ooooh nice recipe thank you so much. It should be easy and just as tasty to replace the peanut butter with almond butter as we are allergic to peanuts. This will be made this weekend. YUM
Joy! JOY! Chocolate + peanut butter cookbook? You have to! Please, please, please, with peanut butter on top?
So while watching TV last night I saw one of those divine Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups commercial and it was all like “first there was chocolate. then there was chocolate… they got married and made these.” I’ve been obsessively desiring one now… this will be a much better alternative, mostly because now I don’t even have to chew lol.
Welcome back to the dark (chocolate) side, Joy!
correction “then there was peanut butter.” you can see where my brain is today. i’m in desperate need of chocolate lol
oh boy, joy, i’m so happy i could just cry. delish!
there are few things as perfect and satisfying as homemade pudding….and chocolate + pb somehow makes it more perfect!
YUM
Oh man does this look delicious! It’s 8 in the morning and I now reallllllly need this for breakfast. Dare I??
Chocolate and peanut butter were meant to be together forever, I will not get tired of saying so and of eating so!!!!
Another peanut butter magic trick? Making this pudding disappear! Wow, these look delicious – and don’t come out of a box – love!!!
1. why does pudding in high glasses look so much tastier than in a bowl?
2. you most definitely should write a cook book based on peanut butter and chocolate. seriously amazing.
3. your blog rocks
mmmmm. peanut buttercup pudding. dreamy for dreary January! Yippee!
..I definitely ate peanut butter for breakfast yesterday.. and I really am in love with making from-scratch, stove top pudding it’s truly therapeutic. Might be making this for today’s.. . . Meals .
Yep. Gonna have to make a version of this this weekend!
Yum. I’m gonna stay in tonight, because its freezing here, make this pudding and eat it all. i agree, with whole milk and heavy cream, but my skin disagrees. Do you think I could make this with soy or a nut milk?
It could I think. I’ve never, but your should give it a try. Let me know how it goes.
Arrrrh, YES! Some pudding!!! The perfect thing to come after a salad post! Now we’re talking!
I’ve never made pudding from scratch before, so perhaps this question is pretty ridiculous. When you make pudding from the box mix and then refrigerate it, you get that jelly skin on the top. Does this homemade pudding have the same jelly skin?
Mmm perfect winter day snack! I’m gonna eat it warm!
The Occasional Indulgence
And…she’s back!
Oh my good lord! *rushes off to make immediately*
You had me at chocolate…
ok …. so where are the cat photos????
Ok seriously? I dare you and I beg you.
Aaaaaaand she’s back! Thank you for more dessert inspiration Joy!
I hate you for doing this to me when I’m desperately trying to “be good”… I’m drooling all over my keyboard now!
Oh joy… You are a girl after my heart.
I’m sure you knew this already, but yesterday (wednesday) was Natl Peanut Butter Day. So this, is perfect. Well, choc + PB is ALWAYS perfect.
I want to dive into one of these, Joy! I love PB, so much!
Amaze-balls! Oh dear i would totally run up and make this but I may or may have not finished the peanut butter supply in the house! I love that there aren’t any yolks too!
Amazing. And I totally dare you to write an entire cookbook on peanut butter and chocolate!!
Can’t go wrong with chocolate and peanut butter! I can think of someone in particular who would love this. :)
the best pairing of all time? i think so.
comfort food at its best!
ooooh girl, you done did it this time.
I die. YUM!
Wow it looks delicious and the combination of the colours are great. Like it very much and maybe will also try it, soon.
NR!
I was looking for a SuperBowl dessert for six, found it!
seriously, this is my favorite combo. mmmmm. would this recipe work if i cut it in half, since i don’t really need to eat six servings of pudding by myself? (i want to, but want and need are very different things!)
love this pudding, chocolate with peanut butter can do no wrong!