Description
This homemade creamy chocolate pudding recipe is a rich and luscious dessert made entirely from scratch using quality ingredients like bittersweet chocolate, heavy cream, and egg yolks. It delivers a smooth, velvety texture and intense chocolate flavor, perfect for an elegant treat at home. The pudding is cooked gently on the stovetop to achieve the ideal thickened consistency before chilling to set.
Ingredients
Base Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups half and half
- 1 3/4 cups heavy cream
- 8 oz bittersweet chocolate (60% cocoa)
Custard Ingredients
- 7 egg yolks
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp kosher salt
Instructions
- Scald Cream Mixture: In a medium saucepan, combine the half-and-half and heavy cream and heat over medium-high until small bubbles form around the edges, making sure it does not come to a boil.
- Melt Chocolate: Chop the bittersweet chocolate and place it in a large bowl. Microwave on medium power for 2-3 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds until the chocolate is melted and smooth.
- Combine Cream and Chocolate: Pour the hot cream mixture over the melted chocolate and whisk together until thoroughly combined and smooth.
- Prepare Egg Mixture: In a separate medium bowl, whisk egg yolks together, then slowly whisk in the sugar until well incorporated.
- Temper Eggs: Gradually add a tablespoon of the warm chocolate mixture to the egg yolks while whisking to combine. Continue to add the warm chocolate a little at a time until fully incorporated to prevent the eggs from curdling.
- Cook Pudding: Pour the combined mixture back into the saucepan. Heat over medium-low, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until the pudding thickens enough to coat the back of the spoon, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat before it becomes too thick; it will continue to thicken as it cools.
- Add Flavor and Chill: Stir in the vanilla extract and kosher salt. Press plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the pudding to prevent a skin from forming. Refrigerate for at least 3 hours until fully chilled and set.
- Serve: Stir the pudding briefly before serving to restore the creamy texture.
Notes
- Use good quality bittersweet chocolate for the best flavor and texture.
- Temper the egg yolks gradually to avoid scrambling the eggs.
- Stir constantly while cooking to prevent the pudding from burning or curdling.
- Covering the pudding with plastic wrap directly on the surface helps avoid a skin forming.
- Chilling the pudding for at least 3 hours enhances its texture and flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
