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This small batch chocolate pudding is rich, creamy, and so easy to make. It’s the perfect size for one or two servings and comes together in minutes with simple ingredients – no box mix needed!
Featured Comment
“Oh my goodness, I am going to make this again and again. It’s so creamy and I love the deeply chocolate flavor.”
– Dana
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Chocolate Pudding for Two: This small batch recipe makes enough to share or enjoy over two servings.
- Simple to Make: No special techniques, just basic ingredients and easy steps.
- Rich and Creamy: Smooth, decadent, and full of chocolate flavor.
- Perfectly Portioned: A great option when you want homemade pudding without making a large batch.
- Made with Real Ingredients: Uses simple pantry staples you likely already have.
Homemade chocolate pudding is one of my favorite desserts – rich, creamy, and so much better than anything from a box. This small batch chocolate pudding is just the right amount for one generous serving or chocolate pudding for two if you want to share.
It’s easy to make with simple ingredients and comes together in minutes on the stovetop. I love topping it with whipped cream or chocolate shavings, but honestly, it’s just as delicious on its own.
Discover our single serving and small batch chocolate desserts, perfectly portioned for one two. Try chocolate soufflé for one, chocolate mousse for one, chocolate lava cake for one, mini devil’s food cake, small batch brownies, a single nanaimo bar, and small batch double chocolate chip cookies.
Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this single serving chocolate pudding recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder.
- Milk: Whole milk creates a rich, thick pudding. Avoid skim or reduced-fat milk, which can affect texture. For an even creamier result, use half and half.
- Sugar: Adds sweetness and enhances the vanilla and chocolate flavors while contributing to thickness.
- Cornstarch: The key thickener that gives the pudding its smooth, creamy consistency.
- Cocoa Powder: Use any unsweetened cocoa powder for deep chocolate flavor.
- Egg Yolk: Provides structure, stability, and richness. Use the leftover egg white in recipes like mini Texas sheet cake or two chocolate cupcakes.
- Vanilla Extract: Pure vanilla extract adds warmth and enhances flavor.
- Butter: Stirred in at the end for a smooth, glossy finish and richer taste.
- Chocolate: Chocolate chips or chunks deepen the flavor. Use semi-sweet, dark, or bittersweet chocolate. Leftovers work well in chocolate chip banana bread, small batch chocolate scones, air fryer chocolate chip cookies, or mint chocolate chip ice cream.
Recipe Variations
Customize your chocolate pudding with these simple flavor additions:
- Mocha Pudding: Stir in 1/4 teaspoon of instant coffee for a mocha flavor.
- Spiced Chocolate Pudding: Add a pinch of cinnamon or chili powder for warmth and spice.
- Mint Chocolate Pudding: A few drops of mint extract add a refreshing flavor.
- Peanut Butter Swirl: Swirl in peanut butter for a rich, nutty taste.
- Coconut Chocolate Pudding: Mix in coconut flakes for a hint of coconut flavor.
How To Make Chocolate Pudding
These photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make a small batch of chocolate pudding. See the recipe box below for ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions.
- In a 1-quart saucepan, whisk together the sugar, cocoa powder, and cornstarch.
- Add 1/2 cup of milk and whisk until smooth.
- Gradually whisk in the remaining milk and egg yolk.
- Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the mixture starts to simmer, about 5 minutes.
- Once simmering, stir constantly until it begins to thicken, about 2 minutes.
- Reduce heat to low and continue stirring for another 2 minutes until fully thickened.
- Remove from heat and stir in the butter, vanilla, and chocolate.
- Pour into a bowl or dessert dishes, add whipped cream if desired, and serve.
Expert Tips
- Have Everything Ready: Measure ingredients before starting to ensure a smooth cooking process.
- Control the Heat: Cook over medium heat and stir constantly to prevent lumps and scorching.
- Look for the Right Thickness: The pudding will gradually thicken as it simmers. Once it coats the back of a spoon, it’s ready.
- Avoid Grainy Pudding: Stir continuously and don’t rush the cooking process. If the pudding starts to clump, whisk vigorously to smooth it out.
Topping Ideas
Enhance your chocolate pudding with these simple toppings and mix-ins for added flavor and texture.
- Chocolate Shavings: Use a vegetable peeler to create chocolate shavings for an elegant topping.
- Homemade Whipped Cream: A spoonful of homemade whipped cream makes a great finishing touch.
- Crushed Cookies: Sprinkle crushed peanut butter cookies, shortbread cookies, or chocolate chip cookies for extra crunch and flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Properly stored, it can last up to 5 days in the fridge.
Yes! Just double all the ingredients and use a larger saucepan.
This happens as it cools. To prevent it, press plastic wrap directly onto the surface while it’s still warm.
RELATED: 15 Easy Dessert Recipes For One
More Small Batch Pudding Recipes
If you like this chocolate pudding recipe, be sure to try these too:
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 single serving 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!
Small Batch Chocolate Pudding
Equipment
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
- In a 1-quart saucepan, whisk together the sugar, cocoa powder, and cornstarch.
- Add 1/2 cup of milk and whisk until smooth.
- Gradually whisk in the remaining milk and egg yolk.
- Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the mixture starts to simmer, about 5 minutes.
- Once simmering, stir constantly until it begins to thicken, about 2 minutes.
- Reduce heat to low and continue stirring for another 2 minutes until fully thickened.
- Remove from heat and stir in the butter, vanilla, and chocolate.
- Pour into a bowl or dessert dishes and refrigerate, covered or uncovered, for at least 4 hours or overnight.
- Add whipped cream if desired, and serve.
Notes
-
- Have Everything Ready: Measure ingredients before starting to ensure a smooth cooking process.
-
- Control the Heat: Cook over medium heat and stir constantly to prevent lumps and scorching.
-
- Look for the Right Thickness: The pudding will gradually thicken as it simmers. Once it coats the back of a spoon, it’s ready.
-
- Avoid Grainy Pudding: Stir continuously and don’t rush the cooking process. If the pudding starts to clump, whisk vigorously to smooth it out.
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.
Easy to make, and delicious,
Can anybody recommend decent chocolate chips to use in recipes
where it calls for semi sweet cc?
I threw in the trash a bag of Toll House when I sampled a few
and the same was true of Hershey
HORRIBLE
I would like to make this recipe and the brownie but both require
CC
Guittard and Ghirardelli are very good brands to use.
The Ghiradelli is the dark brown package. They are bittersweet- 60%.
I agree that the Toll house chips taste horrible. Maybe in a cookie it’s not as noticeable, but I won’t buy them anymore
Terrific… smooth, easy and satisfying. I always double the recipe.
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.
Terrific recipe.
In the first three steps of instructions is any heat involved or just combining ingredients? Thanks for your time in advance.
No heat is involved in the first 3 steps.
Due to lactose intolerance, could I use all almond milk?
Yes, almond milk is fine to use. The pudding won’t be quite as thick and rich but will still be delicious.
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
I’m so happy you love the pudding, Dana. You can use the pudding recipe as-is, without any additions, and spoon it into a small pie crust. I like using our recipe for a mini graham cracker crust (https://onedishkitchen.com/graham-cracker-crust/). If you’d like to make a little more pudding, this chocolate pudding recipe doubles well.
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.
I’m so happy you found us too and I hope you find many new recipes you love.
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.
I’m so happy to know you both love the pudding. Thank you so much for taking the time to let me know.
I made this pudding. It was delicious. I must admit I eat chocolate pudding while it is still warm. The reason, when my brother and I were children in the winter we walked home from school. My mom always had chocolate pudding waiting for us in cups ready to “drink”. I remember so well how very good it was.
My husband brought home peanut butter cookies from work so I used my food processor to make crumbs, added butter, formed a crust, baked and cooled. Then I made this pudding recipe exactly as written and poured it over the crust. Oh my, it was amazing!! Thank you Joanie!
I love the idea of crushed peanut butter cookies as the crust! Peanut butter and chocolate is a combo I can’t resist. Thank you for your feedback, I’m so glad you enjoyed the pudding.
I added a dash of chili powder and used dark chocolate. Because I had gastric bypass, once I mixed in the chips & vanilla, I also added a scoop of unflavored protein powder. It was tasty!!!!
Do you have a non dairy, sugarless version of this anywhere? It sounds amazing but… would coconut milk work for the cream and almond milk for the milk? Would stevia work? I don’t usually notice an aftertaste in coffee so maybe it would be ok.
Thanks for any guidance as I don’t want to waste ingredients if I can help it.
Hi Susan,
I don’t have a non dairy, sugarless version yet. I haven’t made this with coconut milk or almond milk so I’m not sure how it turn out. The cream helps to thicken the pudding. If you experiment with the other ingredients, please let me know how it works out.
I love that this is a small portion!! Perfect for a snack when my husband is traveling and I am craving a treat
Love this recipe and that it’s for one! Gorgeous!
Thank you, Serena!
This looks decadently delicious! I can’t wait to try it. =)
Thank you, Aarika.
Yum – this chocolate pudding recipe is my favorite!
Mine too, Kathryn 🙂
Oh, yum! I had never made homemade pudding until a few months ago, when I made banana pudding for a banana cream pie. It was SO worth the extra effort! Would love to try this chocolate pudding!
Simply divine!
Thanks, Becky!
I absolutely love chocolate pudding too, especially homemade. I love you presentation! It makes it look even more appetizing seeing it. Yummy! Can’t wait to make this.
This pudding looks so incredibly amazing!! So good, I can’t wait to try it.
I just want a big spoon and that pudding right in front of me, at this very moment. I LOVE homemade pudding!
Looks so decadent!
Homemade pudding is seriously the best! I love that this recipe is scaled down for one!
I’m all for rich chocolate desserts! I’m glad this recipe serves one…because I wouldn’t want to deal with sharing 😉
Oh my! I am seriously craving chocolate right now, and this might be just what the doctor ordered.
This is perfect for those nights when I really just want to eat something yummy!
I love small batch stuff! Chocolate pudding brings me back to my childhood when my mom used to cook it. I loved it when it got the skin on it and I peeled it off Did you eat pudding skins? They even talked about it on Seinfeld! I use the boxed ones too, no judgement, it’s quick and my kids love it! Thanks for making a perfect portion and I know the use of cocoa AND chocolate is making it extra rich!!
This is too good!
My husband is out of town so this is perfect!! Going to have to try!! Yum!
Oh my god, I love this so much!! I adore homemade pudding but rarely make it because every recipe out there calls for at least four servings, and trust me, I WILL eat all four servings myself. Problem…
I pinned this, so awesome!!
Thanks so much, Julie!
Love that this is pudding for one! I always have way too many leftovers. Thanks for sharing!
Love this gorgeous pudding Joanie! I have somehow never made homemade chocolate pudding. Looks so rich and decadent. Pass me a spoon!
Thank you, Allie. It’s really simple and so easy to make. The “most difficult” part is whisking the pudding while it’s cooking but you really can’t beat the taste of homemade.
I love all your “for one” recipes! I am always looking for these because my husband does not like chocolate and I love anything chocolate.
Thanks, Lisa. It’s nice to have something just for yourself 😉
This looks so yummy! I love pudding, but the rest of my family isn’t crazy about it, so one serving is plenty for me! 🙂
Great, thanks Logan!
This looks delicious! I love chocolate mouse and there’s a really easy recipe that I make with whipping cream and Chocolate pudding powder
Thank you, Nicole. There are so many uses for the chocolate pudding powder, I’ve even added it to cookie recipes 🙂
Yes please! I love homemade chocolate pudding. Now I’ve got a craving for it, I think I’ll have to make some of this soon.
Oh yes, I hope you make it soon – it’s so good!
Love that this is one serving. My husband always whines that he wants pudding, so this is perfect!
Chocolate pudding is so nostalgic for me! I love how yours is so luscious and totally elegant.
Thank you, Lora.
Looks divine!!!
Thanks, Michelle!
I love chocolate pudding, but I never make it because I don’t want a lot sitting in my fridge (I will eat every last drop). Thanks for this recipe for 1.
So creamy and delicious!
Oh this looks absolutely delicious! Chocolate pudding has always been one of my favorite desserts, but I’ve never had it home made…definitely something I need to try.
Shannon
I was just looking for a small batch pudding recipe last week! This sounds fantastic. Thanks
I LOVE chocolate pudding! I’ve never made it myself though! Thanks for the recipe!
Oh, your pudding…it is calling MY name!
Wow! This looks absolutely delicious! Thanks for sharing your chocolate pudding recipe, I’ll have to try it this weekend! 🙂
There is something very nostalgic about chocolate pudding. I remember making it as a kid from a package. Your homemade version is just what I would like now
Oh this is YUM-ME, thanks for the recipe!!