What is more comforting than a pot of chocolate pudding cooking on the stovetop. No box mix. No complicated steps. Just simple pantry ingredients such as cocoa, milk, and sugar. And perhaps the best part? It comes together in five minutes!
This homemade chocolate pudding recipe is the one I have been making and adding to my family’s lunchboxes for over thirty years! It truly is that simple and dependable.
This recipe is made with pantry staples and thickened with cornstarch rather than eggs, which means you get a silky, creamy texture without the fussy tempering, which I know can be more trouble than it is worth for some cooks. This is just simple, smooth, old-fashioned pudding that sets beautifully in the refrigerator.
I do sometimes make chocolate pudding with egg yolks for a richer custard-style result, but it can be a bit finicky if overheated. This version skips the eggs entirely and still delivers a deeply chocolate flavor and lovely consistency. As long as you whisk it steadily and avoid overcooking, it turns out just right every time.
A Make Ahead Treat for Busy Weeks
Keeps well in the refrigerator for several days
Easy to portion into small reusable jars
Tucks neatly into lunchboxes
A simple dessert ready after a long day
Travels well in a cooler for gatherings or potlucks
A comforting addition to meal trains or shared suppers
Made from pantry staples you likely already have
Because this is a stovetop chocolate pudding, the key is patience. Whisk the dry ingredients first, slowly add the milk, and cook over medium heat until thick and bubbling. One final minute of cooking activates the cornstarch fully, creating that classic pudding texture we all remember.
Once chilled, it becomes thick, spoonable, and wonderfully nostalgic. Serve it plain, topped with whipped cream, or layered into parfaits. It is simple enough for a weeknight and special enough to feel like a treat.
If you have been looking for an easy chocolate pudding recipe without eggs, this one is reliable, and made entirely from scratch. Make it a few times and you’ll likely have this one committed to memory.
Such a fun dessert to finish off an evening with your favorite meatloaf dinner.
Homemade Chocolate Pudding
Ingredients
Method
- In a medium sauce pan, whisk together sugar, cocoa powder, salt, and cornstarch. Slowly whisk in milk and heat over medium heat until thick and bubbly. Whisking the entire time.
- Once bubbling, whisk for one more minute.
- Remove from heat, stir in vanilla and butter.
- Pour into containers and chill completely.
2 Responses
How many servings does your recipe make? There are only 3 of us, so we don’t want a lot of pudding to get through.
It makes 6. A nice amount for two people to have a treat for a few days. Each serving is about 1/2 cup.