The Chocolate Pudding I Wish My Mother Had Made for Me Recipe on Food52 (2024)

Make Ahead

by: drbabs

February19,2011

0 Ratings

  • Serves 4 (assuming you're sharing nicely)

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Author Notes

Last summer when I was making ice cream nearly every week, I discovered that the base of the chocolate ice cream that my family and friends love is a wonderfully smooth and rich chocolate pudding. I grew up on boxed cooked pudding (Royal, I think--terrible-- but not as bad as instant), so this was a revelation. The liqueur (in this case Frangelico, or hazelnut liqueur), adds a wonderful nutty flavor, but you can leave it out or substitute with the liquor of your choice. This is not exactly nursery food--it's a little rich and sophisticated for that--but it is very chocolatey and comforting, if chocolate is your thing. I like the pudding with a few flakes of fleur de sel sprinkled on top. 2014 update: I made some modifications, and used the pudding (without liqueur) in a chocolate cream pie. And had a little pudding left over, so there's a new (better) photo. —drbabs

What You'll Need

Ingredients
  • 3 cups whole milk, divided
  • 3/4 cups cocoa powder
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon powdered espresso
  • 1 pinch kosher salt
  • 3 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3 ounces very good semi-sweet or bittersweet chocolate, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons Frangelico or liqueur of your choice
Directions
  1. In a large saucepan heat 2 cups of milk, cocoa, sugar, salt, and espresso, whisking so that all ingredients are completely blended.
  2. Whisk cornstarch into remaining milk until smooth and thoroughly incorporated. Stir this into chocolate mixture. Cook on medium-medium high heat, whisking constantly until the pudding begins to boil and becomes noticeably thicker. Turn heat down to medium-low, Continue whisking until it's so thick that the whisk leaves trails in the pudding (about 5 minutes).
  3. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract, chopped chocolate and liqueur (if using), stirring until chocolate is completely melted and mixture is very smooth. Divide into individual ramekins and place plastic wrap or a parchment circle over the top, laying it flat against the surface of the pudding so that a skin doesn't form. Refrigerate till cold (if you can wait that long).

Tags:

  • Pudding
  • American
  • Frangelico
  • Chocolate
  • Milk/Cream
  • Liqueur
  • Make Ahead
  • Summer
  • Fall
  • Father's Day
  • Christmas
  • Thanksgiving
Contest Entries
  • Your Best Pudding

See what other Food52ers are saying.

  • testkitchenette

  • Lizthechef

  • Let Them Eat Cake

  • Midge

  • mrslarkin

Popular on Food52

31 Reviews

linze R. September 28, 2015

I just made this pudding and it was much easier than pudding recipes with egg. Even so, I was holding off judgement till it cooled in the fridge, but I tasted the spatula and it was so good, I scooped every bit out of the pot. Then ate one bowl of very hot pudding because it was so good! Thanks for the recipe.

drbabs September 28, 2015

I'm so glad you liked it! Thanks for letting me know.

testkitchenette February 22, 2011

Bravo on a lovely photo!

testkitchenette February 22, 2011

I am just getting ready to make this myself to surprise my husband as we have run out of chocolate ice cream.

drbabs February 22, 2011

Oh--wow, I'm so honored. (That photo is from the summer. It's blurry but I didn't have another one.)

testkitchenette February 22, 2011

It is chilling in the fridge, I licked the bowl...VERY tasty!

RisaCooks February 22, 2011

My mom also used Royal. At that age I just loved it. Now I must make from scratch pudding. This sounds so good. I think the addition of Fleur de Sel on top would be outstanding. It would bring out the chocolate flavor even more.

drbabs February 22, 2011

Thanks, Risa. I loved Royal pudding as a child, too, and thought it was so much better than the instant pudding that you mix with cold milk that my friends' mothers would make. Of course now I won't go near either of them.

Lizthechef February 22, 2011

This looks delicious with your combo of great flavors - which do you prefer, the semi-sweet or bitter-sweet? Thumbs up!

drbabs February 22, 2011

Thanks, Liz. I like bittersweet because I don't like things too sweet and the liqueur does add some sweetness. But I've made it with semi-sweet and it's also delicious.

Pittsburgher February 21, 2011

I've never been a pudding-maker until Saturday, when I made the fabulous recipe for choc pudding in march Bon appetit. Would love to claim it as my own but couldn't begin to improve on something so worth the calories -- except perhaps the sprinkle of fleur de sel. Thankful for leftovers...

drbabs February 22, 2011

I just looked that one up and it sounds divine. I love orange and chocolate together, too.

Let T. February 21, 2011

I love your recipe!!! Oh my goodness!! My Grandmother used to make 8 Chocolate Cream pies and 8 Coconut Cream pies from scratch every Xmas Eve morning, I do not even remember her measuring!!! I have her heavy aluminum pan that she used every year and her handprint is molded into the black wooden handle....sigh,gives me goose bumps just thinking about it!!!

drbabs February 21, 2011

That sounds amazing.

Midge February 21, 2011

Funny, my mom has always been a great baker but used those horrible mixes too. Your version sounds killer drbabs.

drbabs February 21, 2011

My mother also bakes from mixes. I really never knew there was any other way until I was out on my own.

testkitchenette February 21, 2011

I hope I did not offend you with my harsh pudding skin comment! No offense was meant! This hot chocolate would be divine on this snowy day we are having on Long Island!

drbabs February 21, 2011

Not at all!! Everyone likes different things! And even though I like the skin, when I make this for a dinner party, I always cover the surface because it's so much richer and creamier without the skin.

Be careful in the snow. They're saying 2-4 inches but I think we already have almost 4. Ugh.

testkitchenette February 21, 2011

Whoops, I must have hot chocolate on the brain while writing about your chocolate pudding! We have about 5 inches here on the South Shore of Long Island. I think today will involve some pudding making!

mrslarkin February 20, 2011

Yum!!!!

drbabs February 21, 2011

:) Thanks!

hardlikearmour February 20, 2011

Wow, this sounds positively obsession-worthy!

drbabs February 21, 2011

It's pretty simple, but really good if you're a chocoholic like me!

testkitchenette February 20, 2011

This sounds great, I also grew up puddingless. It was just a dessert that my mother did not make. I also like that you have the direction of putting plastic wrap to prevent a skin from forming. I remain in the camp that detests the skin and was always horrified if having pudding at a friend's house where pudding skin was the norm. Thanks for another great recipe!

drbabs February 21, 2011

I actually like the skin, but I know that most people don't.

Sadassa_Ulna February 19, 2011

Yum, this sounds heavenly...

drbabs February 21, 2011

Thank you!

Sagegreen February 19, 2011

I sure do like your version. How lucky your daughter is!

drbabs February 21, 2011

You're very sweet.

dymnyno February 19, 2011

I think my mother made the same pudding as your mother...unfortunately! Your pudding is to dream about!!

drbabs February 21, 2011

It's funny how what we grew up with colors our thinking. I always thought I hated rice because my mother only made Minute Rice and I hated that. Because I hated it, I never ate it in a restaurant or anywhere else. Imagine my surprise... It's the same with pudding. I really never knew what pudding could taste like until I started making it myself.

The Chocolate Pudding I Wish My Mother Had Made for Me  Recipe on Food52 (2024)

FAQs

What can I add to vanilla pudding mix? ›

You could stop at vanilla extract and be perfectly content, or you could add fun stir-ins like dulce de leche and pretzels. And if you ask us, the not-so-standard pudding combinations take the dessert from basic to amazing.

Can I use evaporated milk in instant pudding? ›

Replace the regular milk for a can of evaporated milk to make a creamier, more decadent pudding. Not only does it yield a luxurious texture, it dramatically improves the flavor of a pudding mix. For a tropical twist, reach for some canned coconut milk.

How much milk do you add to a box of pudding? ›

To make pudding: Combine 2 cups of milk with ½ cup of the instant pudding mix in a medium saucepan over high heat, whisking constantly. Bring to a boil, and then immediately reduce the heat to a simmer and continue whisking until the mixture thickens and coats the back of a spoon (about 3 to 5 minutes).

What makes pudding instant? ›

Sugar, a flavoring agent, and thickeners are primary ingredients. Instant chocolate pudding mix is manufactured using cocoa. A key ingredient in instant pudding is gelatinized starch, a dried instant starch that readily absorbs liquids, which causes the pudding to gel when mixed with milk.

How do you make instant chocolate pudding taste better? ›

Add more flavor

A teaspoon of vanilla extract can add richness to any pudding. A bit of espresso powder can make chocolate puddings taste more chocolaty—add more for a mocha flavor. You can stir in a bit of your favorite liqueur too.

Why does my pudding get watery? ›

Pudding is usually runny because it has been stored in the refrigerator for too long or in an open space. Another cause could be due to improper cooking methods.

How to make pudding smooth? ›

Immersion Blender or Electric Whisk:If you've had a hard day at the gym, then you definitely do not need another arm workout. So go for a handheld immersion blender or an electric whisk to smooth out the pudding. Strain:Use a fine-mesh sieve to strain out the undesired lumps for a silky and creamy end result.

How to jazz up instant pudding? ›

5> Sprinkle with Spices: Sprinkle a pinch of cinnamon, nutmeg, or cardamom over your pudding for a warm and aromatic flavor. 6> Mix in Crushed Cookies or Biscuits: Crushed cookies like Oreos, graham crackers, or digestive biscuits can add both flavor and texture to your pudding.

Can you add a box of pudding to cake mix? ›

Add Instant Pudding

Whisk one small (3.4-ounce) package of instant pudding into the dry cake mix. You'll want a similar pudding flavor. For example, use chocolate pudding for a chocolate cake mix. Then, add the wet ingredients and bake the cake as directed.

What happens if you use evaporated milk instead of milk? ›

For a creamy taste without the cream, try evaporated (canned) milk! Evaporated milk is made by removing water from fresh milk and then heating it. Heating the milk gives it the creamy, slightly cooked taste and darker colour. When mixed with an equal amount of water, it can be substituted for fresh milk in recipes.

Will instant pudding set with powdered milk? ›

You can either use reconstituted powdered milk or add the powder directly to the pudding mix. For example, if the pudding directions call for two cups of milk, blend one-third cup of powdered milk into the pudding mix.

What kind of milk do you use for instant pudding? ›

And, if you want to prepare vegan instant pudding, almond milk is a great option to go for. However, the directions to make instant pudding are different from the pudding made with milk. Simply use half of the almond milk as you use dairy milk to make instant pudding.

How much milk do you add to a large box of instant pudding? ›

Making Store-Bought Instant Pudding

If you are using a smaller packet of instant pudding mix, about 3.4 ounces (96 grams), use 2 cups (475 milliliters) of milk. If you are using a larger packet of instant pudding mix, about 5.1 ounces (144 grams), use 3 cups (700 milliliters) of milk.

How much milk do I need for a 5 oz box of pudding? ›

To prepare, stir mix into 3 cups cold milk in medium saucepan, bring to a boil on medium heat while stirring constantly, then serve warm or chilled. Every Jell-O pudding mix comes packaged in a 5-ounce sealed pouch.

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