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Imagine a bowl of warm, comforting rice pudding with a twist — a generous swirl of chocolate that turns a classic favorite into a single serving of pure joy. This Chocolate Rice Pudding recipe is a dessert lover’s dream, combining the creamy texture of traditional rice pudding with the rich, velvety flavor of chocolate. Perfect for times when you’re craving something sweet just for yourself, this dish is a breeze to whip up, making it the ideal treat to end your day on a chocolatey note.
If you’re looking for more delicious single serving and small batch rice pudding recipes, check out our creamy Classic Rice Pudding and our sweet Peaches and Cream Rice Pudding. Any of our rice pudding recipes would be perfect with a fluffy homemade whipped cream or a scoop of rich vanilla ice cream.
Why You’ll Love This Chocolate Rice Pudding Recipe
- Simple Ingredients: With basic pantry items, this recipe is a breeze to put together.
- Quick to Make: Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s perfect for a last-minute dessert craving.
- Perfect Portion: Designed for one, eliminating the worry of leftovers.
- Comforting: It’s a heartwarming dish that satisfies your chocolate desires.
RELATED: 15 Easy Dessert Recipes For One
Ingredient Notes And Substitutions
This section provides a quick rundown of the ingredients used in this chocolate rice pudding recipe. For complete measurements and step-by-step instructions, please scroll to the recipe card located at the bottom of this post.
- Long grain white rice: Provides the best texture for the pudding.
- Sugar: Adds sweetness. Feel free to adjust the amount to your preference or use substitutes like honey or Stevia.
- Milk: Brings creaminess. Dairy-free alternatives such as almond, soy, or coconut milk can be used.
- Vanilla: Enhances the flavor profile. Almond extract can be used as an alternative.
- Chocolate Chips: Gives the pudding its chocolatey flavor. Dark chocolate, milk chocolate, or even white chocolate chips can be used. Consider using extra chocolate chips in Chocolate Chip Banana Bread, a Brookie, or a Brownie.
If you have any ingredients leftover from this recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder.
Recipe Variations
This rice pudding recipe is open to creativity! Here are some tasty twists:
- Spiced chocolate: Add a pinch of cinnamon or cayenne pepper for a spiced version.
- Mocha: Stir in a teaspoon of instant coffee for a mocha flavor.
- Orange-infused: Add some orange zest for a citrusy note.
Making Chocolate Rice Pudding: A Step-By-Step Guide
Start by placing the rice, milk, sugar, and a pinch of salt into a small saucepan. Heat the mixture over medium heat, stirring occasionally. As the rice cooks, it will absorb the milk, transforming into a thicker, creamier consistency.
After about 20 minutes, when the rice is tender and the mixture has thickened, remove the saucepan from the stove. At this stage, add the cocoa powder and your preferred flavor enhancer—vanilla extract or Crème de Cacao. Follow this with the chocolate chips or pieces. Stir everything together until the chocolate has completely melted, resulting in a luxuriously smooth chocolate rice pudding.
Expert Tips
- Experiment with Spice: A small dash of chili powder can elevate your chocolate rice pudding, marrying the indulgence of chocolate with a hint of warmth and spice for an unexpected yet delicious twist.
- Chocolate Varieties: Semi-sweet chocolate chips are my go-to for a balanced sweetness. Yet, if you prefer a robust chocolate flavor with less sugar, consider bittersweet chocolate as a superb alternative.
Serving Suggestions
Enhance your chocolate rice pudding with some delightful serving ideas:
- Cream: Top with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
- Fruit: Fresh berries or sliced bananas add a refreshing touch.
- Nuts: Sprinkle some crushed almonds or hazelnuts for added crunch.
Frequently Asked Questions
While this Chocolate Rice Pudding shares some similarities with Champorado, they are distinct dishes. Champorado is a Filipino sweet porridge made with glutinous rice and chocolate, often eaten for breakfast and occasionally paired with dried salted fish for a unique savory contrast. Our chocolate rice pudding, however, utilizes long grain rice for a different texture and is typically sweeter, designed for dessert rather than a breakfast dish.
A 1-quart saucepan is perfect for preparing this single serving chocolate rice pudding. Choosing a pan that’s too large can result in uneven cooking, so sticking to a similar-sized pan ensures that your pudding cooks perfectly.
Absolutely! This recipe scales up effortlessly. If you’re in the mood to share or save some for later, simply double the ingredients and switch to a 2-quart saucepan to maintain the same delicious results in a larger quantity.
Yes, it can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days.
RELATED: Single Serving Comfort Food Recipes
Ways To Use Leftover Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder or you might like to consider using them in any of these single serving and small batch recipes:
If you’ve tried this chocolate rice pudding or any recipe on One Dish Kitchen please let me know how you liked it by rating the recipe and telling me about it in the comment section below.
If you take a picture please tag us on Instagram (@onedishkitchen) we’d love to see it!
Chocolate Rice Pudding For One
Equipment
Ingredients
- ¼ cup long-grain white rice
- 1 cup milk
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- ½ tablespoon cocoa powder
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract (may also use Crème de Cacao instead)
- 2 tablespoons semisweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Combine the rice, milk, sugar, and salt in a 1-quart saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally until rice is tender and pudding is thick, 20 minutes.
- Remove from heat and add cocoa powder and vanilla to the mixture.
- Add the chocolate chips and stir until melted.
- Transfer the mixture to a bowl and allow to cool for 10 minutes and serve warm.
Notes
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
Could this be made in an instant pot ?
We have not tested this rice pudding recipe in an instant pot.
Could this be made with brown rice?
Hi Barb,
This recipe would not do well with brown rice. First of all, the taste would be off. Secondly, the brown rice would have to cook longer and might need more liquid to keep it from drying.
I have only tested this rice pudding recipe as written, with white rice.
Joanie
Joanie, should I cover the pan when cooking the rice? Barb
No, Barb. Keep the pan uncovered.
Joanie
Put a lid on at an angle so the steam can get out or it will boil over and make a mess.