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This is the BEST chocolate pudding recipe! Thick, rich, and velvety smooth, this homemade chocolate pudding will be your go-to pudding recipe and it’s the perfect amount for one or two people to enjoy.

Chocolate pudding topped with whipped cream and chocolate shavings in a dessert glass next to a piece of a chocolate bar and a spoon

Why This Recipe Works

  • Extra rich and with an intense chocolate flavor: We stir in a handful of semi-sweet chocolate chips or morsels along with vanilla extract for extra depth. A tablespoon of butter stirred in at the end helps the pudding set up with a silky consistency.
  • Easy to make: Making pudding from scratch is easier than you might think. Once you just see how simple it is, you’ll wonder why you haven’t been making pudding on your own before. Boxed pudding brags that you can make “homemade” pudding in minutes. Well, I urge you to ignore that claim and make real pudding from scratch with this easy recipe.
  • Pudding made from scratch: With this small batch chocolate pudding recipe, you won’t find any artificial thickeners or flavorings – just real ingredients, many of which you likely already have in your fridge and pantry.
  • Tested and perfected recipe: In this chocolate pudding recipe, I’ve taken my large batch chocolate pudding recipe and played around with the ingredient amounts. This new pudding recipe yields the perfect amount if you’re cooking for one or two people.

RELATED: 20 Single Serving Meatless Recipes

Overhead view of chocolate pudding topped with whipped cream and chocolate shavings in a dessert glass next to a piece of a chocolate bar and a spoon.

Ingredients

  • Milk:  I recommend using whole milk. I do not recommend using skim milk or reduced-fat milk because it won’t give you a pudding that is as rich and thick. You can use half and half (half whole milk – half heavy cream) instead.
  • Sugar: Sugar helps to sweeten the pudding, enhances the flavors of the vanilla and chocolate, and helps to thicken the pudding.
  • Cornstarch: This ingredient helps to thicken the pudding beautifully.
  • Cocoa powder: Use any type of unsweetened cocoa powder in this recipe.
  • Egg yolk: One egg yolk adds structure, stability, and richness to the pudding. Don’t toss the egg white, though. Save it and use it in any of our egg white recipes below.
  • Vanilla: Pure vanilla extract adds a wonderful flavor.
  • Butter: Adding a little bit of butter at the end gives the pudding a smooth texture, a glossy finish, and a richer flavor.
  • Chocolate: A handful of chocolate chips or chocolate chunks helps to make the pudding even richer! I’ve used semi-sweet (my favorite!), dark chocolate, and bittersweet chocolate.

This is just an overview of the ingredients I used and why I used them. For the full recipe please scroll down to the recipe box at the bottom of the post.

How To Make Chocolate Pudding

These step-by-step photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make this recipe. See the recipe box below for ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions.

  1. Mix the sugar, cocoa powder, and cornstarch in a 1-quart saucepan.
sugar, cocoa powder, and cornstarch in a small saucepan
  1. Add ½ cup of milk and whisk until the mixture is smooth.
milk mixed with cocoa powder and sugar in a small saucepan
  1. Slowly whisk in the remaining milk and the egg yolk.
homemade chocolate pudding in a small pot
  1. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat, stirring frequently. This process takes me about 5 minutes.
  2. Once the mixture starts to simmer, stir constantly until it begins to thicken, about 2 minutes.
a small batch of chocolate pudding simmering on the stove
  1. Once the mixture starts to thicken, lower the heat to low and cook, stirring constantly for 2 minutes.
  2. Remove from the heat and stir in the butter, vanilla, and chocolate chips.
homemade chocolate pudding in a pot
  1. Pour into a bowl or two dessert dishes, top with whipped cream if you’d like, and enjoy!
two small chocolate pies in ramekins topped with whipped cream on a silver tray

Frequently Asked Questions

How Do You Store Chocolate Pudding Made From Scratch?

If you have leftover chocolate pudding, cover it tightly with plastic wrap and keep it in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Can I Double This Recipe To Make Extra?

Yes! This recipe doubles well.

What Is The Best Size Pot To Use?

I use a 1-quart saucepan when I make this chocolate pudding. For best results use a pot of similar size.

If you would like additional information on the cooking and baking dishes I use in our “recipes for one”, please visit our FAQ page.
For examples of the dishes used at One Dish Kitchen, please visit our Store page.

Expert Tips

  • Read through the entire recipe and the Ingredient Notes section of the post, take a look at the process photos above, and gather your ingredients before starting.
  • Be patient when making the chocolate pudding. You will be able to feel and see the pudding getting thicker.
  • For a more decorative topping, add some shaved chocolate on top of the whipped cream. To make chocolate curls or shavings, I use a vegetable peeler.
  • Make chocolate pudding with homemade whipped cream. Use our small batch whipped cream recipe to add a dollop of whipped cream to the top of the pudding.

RELATED: 15 Easy Dessert Recipes For One

Ways To Use Leftover Ingredients

If you have any ingredients leftover from this easy chocolate pudding recipe, you might like to consider using them in any of these single serving and small batch recipes:

More Single Serving Pudding Recipes

If you like this chocolate pudding recipe, be sure to try any of these single serving pudding recipes:

For more information on the cooking and baking dishes I use in our “recipes for one”, please visit our FAQ page.

For examples of the dishes used at One Dish Kitchen, please visit our Store page.

If you’ve tried this chocolate 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!


Your Cooking For One Source
Because you’re worth it

Homemade Chocolate Pudding For One

4.94 from 32 votes
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 15 minutes
Cooling time: 4 hours
Total: 4 hours 20 minutes
Servings: 2 servings
This is the BEST chocolate pudding recipe! Thick, rich, and velvety smooth, this homemade chocolate pudding will be your go-to pudding recipe and it's the perfect amount for one or two people to enjoy.

Ingredients 
 

  • ¼ cup sugar
  • 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 1 ½ cups whole milk , divided
  • 1 large egg yolk
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ¼ cup semi sweet chocolate chips
  • Optional: whipped cream for topping

Instructions 

  • Mix the sugar, cocoa powder, and cornstarch in a 1-quart saucepan.
  • Add ½ cup of milk and whisk until the mixture is smooth.
  • Slowly whisk in the remaining milk and the egg yolk.
  • Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat, stirring frequently.
    Pro Tip: This process takes me about 5 minutes.
  • Once the mixture starts to simmer, stir constantly until it begins to thicken, about 2 minutes.
  • Once the mixture starts to thicken, lower the heat to low and cook, stirring constantly for 2 minutes.
  • Remove from the heat and stir in the butter, vanilla, and chocolate chips.
  • Pour into a bowl. Refrigerate, covered or uncovered, for at least 4 hours or overnight.
  • Enjoy with whipped cream, if desired.

Notes

Expert Tips
  • Read through the entire recipe and the Ingredient Notes section of the post, take a look at the process photos above, and gather your ingredients before starting.
  • Be patient when making the chocolate pudding. You will be able to feel and see the pudding getting thicker.
  • For a more decorative topping, add some shaved chocolate on top of the whipped cream. To make chocolate curls or shavings, I use a vegetable peeler.
  • Make chocolate pudding with homemade whipped cream. Use our small batch whipped cream recipe to add a layer of whipped cream to the top of the pudding.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving, Calories: 426kcal, Carbohydrates: 56g, Protein: 10g, Fat: 23g, Saturated Fat: 13g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 7g, Trans Fat: 0.3g, Cholesterol: 130mg, Sodium: 123mg, Potassium: 490mg, Fiber: 4g, Sugar: 40g, Vitamin A: 605IU, Calcium: 258mg, Iron: 2mg

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.

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67 Comments

  1. Do you have a recipe for blackberry pie or cobbler? I know how to make one for my big family but would be unable to eat the whole thing. I would appreciate any help.

  2. In the first three steps of instructions is any heat involved or just combining ingredients? Thanks for your time in advance.

    1. Yes, almond milk is fine to use. The pudding won’t be quite as thick and rich but will still be delicious.

  3. Oh my goodness I am going to make this again and again. It’s so creamy and I love the deeply chocolate flavor. Joanie, what would I need to do if I wanted to make this a filling for a chocolate cream pie, maybe just increase the cornstarch?
    Thank you

  4. I learned how to cook for 7 people about 60 years ago. I’ve never managed to learn how to cook for just me. I am so happy to have found this site.

  5. Husband is very particular about his foods and he loved this. Incredibly smooth, no gumming and brings out the best chocolate flavor possible. We use a chocolate 70% cocoa…so it is dark. No need for whip cream at all and we had 2 nice size serving dishes full using the one recipe.

    1. I’m so happy to know you both love the pudding. Thank you so much for taking the time to let me know.