Joy the Baker

Really Very Good Chocolate Pudding

by 62 Comments

Really Very Good Chocolate Pudding

What do your guts know?  That tremble, tickle, internal compass in the center-insides of our bodies.  Those GUTS… they have feelings.  What do your guts tell you about who and how you are?  

My guts tell me to trust myself.  My guts tell me that I’m capable but also remind me that failure isn’t permanent.  

My guts tell me that spiders of any size are horrifying and life threatening.  

My guts tell me to lift with my knees, have a cup of tea instead of wine, and to disengage and take a bath.  

My guts tell me to run from hard conversations.  Then my smarter, wiser, more grounded guts tell me to stop, grow up, and say things that feel hard to say.

My guts know a lot about fried chicken and hope for frequent consumption.  

My guts dislike mosquitos, but at least they’re not flying spiders.  

My guts requested chocolate pudding and because they are generally knowledgable not not very needy, I obliged.  I’m glad I did.  

What do your guts know?  Tell me tell me.  

Really Very Good Chocolate Pudding

Pudding is simple.  Chocolate, cream, and sugar… and an egg for velvet.  

Because we’re using so few ingredients, it’s important to use the best ingredients you can get your hands on.  Actually… what an obnoxious thing to say.  I know we’re all just doing our best and chocolate is expensive and organic cream is bonkers.  

Here’s the thing:  splurge on a good dark chocolate bar, use a moderately priced cocoa powder, organic cream if you’re feelin’ it, any salt, any cornstarch, an egg, and good vanilla if you have it… if not, a splash of bourbon over bad vanilla.  Always.  

Really Very Good Chocolate Pudding

Into a saucepan with the cocoa powder, sugar, cornstarch, and salt.  Milk and cream are streamed into the pan over medium heat to mix, melt and meld.  

The mixture is brought to a light simmer.  Light.  Not hard.  It’s milk and cream so we want to be gently.  A light simmer will be just enough to activate the cornstarch to thicken.  After a few minutes of simmering and whisking we’re in business with a soupy-thick chocolate mixture. 

Really Very Good Chocolate Pudding

We mustn’t forget about our egg yolk! 

I spooned a bit of warm pudding to a small bowl with the yolk to whisk and temper it, then stirred the yolky pudding back into the pot.  

Really Very Good Chocolate Pudding

Chopped chocolate and vanilla extract are stirred until the chocolate is completely melted.  

Now we’re really in business! 

Really Very Good Chocolate Pudding

We’ve gone from warm chocolate goop to actual luscious chocolate pudding!  

Spooned into cups… tea cups or otherwise.  Licked warm from the pan and spatula.  Set in the refrigerator to max and relax.  

Really Very Good Chocolate Pudding

It’s a simple pleasure, these big spoonfuls of cold creamy chocolate.  Simple but still so decadent.  

I served my pudding with sweetened whipped cream and ripe figs. By served… I mostly mean I ate all these cups over the course of a day and a half and I have no shame in my game.  My guts made me do it. 

Print

Really Very Good Chocolate Pudding

  • Author: Joy the Baker
  • Prep Time: 10
  • Cook Time: 10
  • Total Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 1/2 cups whole milk
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1 large egg yolk
  • 4 ounces good quality dark chocolate, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 tablespoon powdered sugar
  • fresh figs or raspberries

Instructions

  1. Whisk together brown sugar, cocoa powder, cornstarch and salt in a medium saucepan, then gradually whisk in the milk and 1/2 cup heavy cream. Bring to a low boil, whisking constantly, and simmer and whisk until pudding is thickened, about 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from heat.
  2. In a small bowl, beat egg yolk. Add a bit of the hot chocolate pudding and whisk to incorporate. Add the yolk and pudding back to the pudding pot and cook over low heat for 2 to 4 minutes, whisking constantly.
  3. Remove from heat and whisk in chocolate and vanilla extract until chocolate is completely melted. The pudding will be the consistency of thick but melty ice cream and will solidify more in the refrigerator as it cools.
  4. Divide between small cups, cover with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours before serving.
  5. Just before serving, in a medium bowl whisk together heavy cream and powdered sugar until thickened and holds its shape on a spoon. Dollop on pudding. Serve with ripe figs or raspberries and enjoy!

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4

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Comments

  4. Lin

    Oh love chocolate pudding….such a comfort food. I have been making my puddings in the microwave and it is so much easier than on the stovetop.

    Reply

  9. Jill

    I made this and think I won the girlfriend of the year award. I have made so many of your recipes over the years and love your advice, wit and wisdom. Thank you for being you, Joy and sharing all of your greatness with us!

    Reply

  10. Emily

    The first three words of the name of the post are so not needed xD Everything that contains chocolate and pudding has me glued to the screen, drooling and staring maniacally.
    Your recipe is great, Joy! Can’t wait to make this for my boys tonight

    Reply

  11. Terry

    Yes Joy. I always use pure vanilla and the best dark chocolate cocoa.
    Some recipes call for Dutch processed cocoa.
    I add some instant coffee to my chocolate mix and it elevates the,chocolate experience.
    Your recipes have always inspired me to create with my mind and eyes.
    Keep on writing.
    A loyal fan.
    Terry

    Reply

  12. sarahfishburn

    Hey Joy, I have something that precludes me from eating ANY corn product whatsoever. When I accidentally ingest it, the consequences are dire! Do you have a substitute suggestion for cornstarch? Love your blog!
    Sarah

    Reply

  13. heather

    my guts know I should have gone to yoga instead of watching Nashville and eating chocolate covered almonds for dinner. oops.

    Reply

  18. kitchenmommy

    Love your reality – I won’t splurge for organic cream, but I DO buy good vanilla and I WILL buy really good chocolate to use for this recipe (and then eat the rest). My boys may only be 4 and 2 (and 34), but that’s no reason for them to think Jell-O pudding packs are the best life has to offer. :)

    Reply

  19. terry Di Marco

    My guts tell me to stop and notice the blooming flowers still blooming in September.
    My guts tell me to let go of all the past hurts and let the person who says they love, really love you and to believe you can find love again. Even at 62!
    My guts tell me to save more money and spend less on clothes….that a nest egg is a good thing to have.
    My guts tell me that I am stronger now than yesterday.
    My guts tell me to stop and talk to a senior citizen who seems lonely.
    My guts tell me that its better to be happy and realize how beautiful life really is.
    My guts tell me to call my brothers more and tell than how much I love them.
    My guts tell me that I do have a wonderful relationship with my son who calls me regularly and
    that we always end with “Iove you”.

    Reply

  22. jamie

    Guts. A good reminder to trust them, they’re never wrong. My heart, head sometimes. But my gut never.

    And looks like I found my next dinner party dessert too. Thanks Joy x

    Reply

  24. Katya

    Hi Joy,
    Is the 1/4 tsp (4th ingredient down the list) meant to say salt after it? I am giving these a go tonight, because as far as I can tell chocolate anything is never a bad idea.

    Reply

  26. thebrickkitchen

    uh YUM! have never made a cold chocolate pudding before, only hot self-saucing puddings, so my gut is definitely telling me to give this recipe a go! looks insanely decadent, and I can imagine how perfectly fresh tart strawberries would go with it :)

    Reply

  29. Allison - Celebrating Sweets

    My son is in preschool and this week they’re learning the letter “P”. His teacher suggests that we make pudding or do puzzles at home this week. The timing of this recipe is too good to be true. My gut tells me, “make pudding!!!” ;)

    Reply

  30. Yelle

    I’m not normally one that craves pudding, but after seeing these – they look so glossy and decadent in those mugs! I am definitely in the mood for chocolate pudding now. I’m going to have to find some time to make these.

    Reply

  33. hollcat

    There used to be a teeny tiny spider living by my kitchen sink. I named him Horace. Horace was in no way horrifying or life threatening. I was actually the life threatening one in our relationship on those occasions when I had to spritz the area with Fantastik. I wish you could have met Horace, perhaps you would think differently about spiders!

    Anyway, thanks for the amazing looking recipe, I hope to try it out soon!

    Reply

  35. Ashlyn

    This pudding looks so creamy and decadent! I have been craving chocolate pudding recently, and I am definitely going to try out this recipe. My guts are telling me to. ;)

    Reply

  39. Gwyn

    Let’s see… my guts tell me that if you happen to be at the bakery on challah bread day it has to be bought, no matter how much other bread you already have, and eaten with apple butter. No summer is complete without a giant brick of curly fries from the fair with too much lemonade. There is no such thing as too many handknit rainbow blankets. Also that this pudding looks delicious, but pretty sure you know that already.

    Reply

  40. Cy

    My gut tells me tells me when a man is begging you to be his girlfriend on the second date, he’s probably crazy( my gut told me this on the first date, but also told me he was harmless, just a little crazy). My gut also tells me that Joy is a sugar angel and she always knows what my gut wants to eat. ???? My gut tells me that it always has my best interests at heart and I should listen!

    Reply

  43. consideringtheradish

    I was just thinking last night about how I wanted chocolate pudding, and where I would find a good recipe. And my gut tells me to get enough sleep, to never trust a dude who calls his ex “crazy”, and to take more walks outside.

    Reply

  47. Sharon

    I was wondering what the figs were doing in all those pictures!

    What do my guts say? They say, ‘Yes, please!’ But I know we haven’t any chocolate in the house. Would this pudding work without it?

    Reply

  54. Sabrina

    Oh, now my guts tell me to neglect everything I have to do to run into the kitchen and make some chocolate pudding :) unfortunately they’ll have to wait.. for now. Homemade pudding is such a pleasure – reminds me of my friend’s grandma who makes the most luscious vanilla pudding with a hint of cinnamon – yum! Dessert for tonight is solved!

    Reply

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