This milk chocolate pudding recipe is based on an old one I found in The New York Times years ago. The flavor is reminiscent of the old canned milk chocolate flavored Hunt's Snack Packs, but better!
Here's the New York Times recipe. That one has bananas and cookies, but I served mine in wine glasses and topped it with whipped cream. My husband loved it so much he posted a photo of it on Twitter, and I liked it because it was yet another way to showcase good milk chocolate.
Milk Chocolate Pudding Equipment and Ingredients
The recipe is pretty simple, but you do need two medium to large size bowls along with a saucepan.
The ingredients are rich. Along with milk chocolate (you can use any brand, but I recommend chocolate rather than chips), there's whole milk, cocoa powder, egg yolks and cream. So yes, this is a little richer than the Hunt's Snack Packs.
Recipe
Milk Chocolate Pudding
Ingredients
- 5 ounces milk chocolate (140 grams)
- 3 tablespoons sugar (36 grams)
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder (12 grams)
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- Pinch salt
- 2 large egg yolks
- 1 ½ cups whole milk, divided use
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Start with two medium to large size mixing bowls.
- Put the chocolate in one of the bowls.
- In the second bowl,whisk together the sugar, cocoa, cornstarch and salt; whisk in egg yolks and ½ cup milk until smooth.
- In a large saucepan over high heat, bring remaining 1 cup milk and ½ cup cream to a simmer. Gradually add the hot milk mixture to the bowl with chocolate and whisk until smooth.
- Whisking constantly, slowly pour hot chocolate mixture into egg mixture until completely incorporated and cocoa is dissolved.
- Return custard to saucepan. Cook, stirring constantly, over medium heat, until thickened, about 10 minutes (Mine was thick in five, at which point I reduced the heat to low and cooked it another minute or two). Do not let mixture reach a simmer. If custard begins to steam heavily, stir it, off the heat, a moment before returning it to stove top. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve. Stir in vanilla.
- Lay a piece of waxed paper or parchment over the pudding and let it cool for about 30 minutes at room temperature. Transfer to refrigerator to chill.
- Serve with whipped cream or whipped topping.
Jennifer JW says
I love pudding! My mom used to make Jello pudding, but she would make the cook and serve kind. I've made it for my kids but they think (probably due to the influence of pudding cups) that warm pudding is "gross."
Cupcake Activist says
I love chocolate pudding, but I don't even think I've had milk chocolate pudding. Sounds delicious!
Sara says
I'm not big on pudding (unless it is southern style banana 🙂 but thanks for turning me on to top chef just desserts - love that show now!
erinsgobragh says
That looks so good.
Louise says
The "skin" was always my favorite part of pudding. 🙂
Barbara says
I love it! Old fashioned chocolate pudding. Haven't made it in years! This is a super recipe, too.
Megan says
I have not had a good pudding in a long time and that glassfull is giving me a craving.
the blissful baker says
oh this looks so creamy and delicious!
vanillasugar says
and nigella takes her homemade pudding and mixes it with beaten egg whites for a incredible dessert.
Katrina says
What? No ginger added? 😉
Betty @ scrambled hen fruit says
My mom used to make Jello chocolate pudding for us when we were growing up- she'd put individual servings into little cups in the refrigerator. I seldom make it for myself, but this sounds so good I may try it. Thanks!
Anna says
Lisa, if you ever feel like sharing your "pudding for one" recipe, send it my way.
Amy, I liked pudding as a kid too. My favorite kind was frozen pudding called "Rich's".
Robyn, I did strain. I could have just as easily skipped it because the pudding wasn't particularly lumpy, but straining took about 2 minutes and I keep my strainer handy these days.
Robyn says
Sounds good!
Did you do the straining step?
Amy says
This pudding reminds me of my obsession with pudding when I was a kid. But I don't think I've ever made any from scratch. Thanks for the inspiration!
Lisa Ernst says
I'm a home made pudding fanatic and I make it almost every day, just a single serving for myself. I keep it relatively healthy since its an every day thing, but for a splurge, this looks wonderful, especially with the addition of the cream. Also, I would imagine that the unsweetened cocoa powder combined with the milk chocolate deepens the flavor enough that you can really taste the chocolate. Yum!