Easy Microwave Chocolate Pudding

This Easy Microwave Chocolate Pudding recipe is ready in just 15 minutes with just 6 pantry ingredients, including cocoa powder and no eggs needed.

I was the Chocolate Pudding Queen when I was a kid. I could open that box, stir in the milk and get it thick and creamy on the stove in five seconds flat. Or ten minutes…but you get the idea. I haven’t bought the boxed stuff in years but I do still love good chocolate pudding. But then there are days when I just want a good, creamy, hot, chocolate pudding in about ten minutes flat. That’s when I turn to this Easy Microwave Pudding recipe.

Why You’ll Love This Chocolate Pudding Recipe

Quick and Easy to Make – Pudding is typically made on the stovetop but microwave pudding is just as good and ready in 15 minutes. You probably have all the ingredients in your pantry already.

So Many Ways to Use – Homemade chocolate pudding can be used for an easy chocolate pie, layered with whipped cream and chocolate shavings for a chocolate parfait, or just enjoyed hot with a spoon!

Microwave Chocolate Pudding Ingredients

The main ingredients in chocolate pudding are cocoa powder, whole milk or cream, and sugar. Cornstarch can be used to thicken it and vanilla extract for flavor. A pinch of salt helps bring out the flavors as well. Egg yolks are also sometimes added but not with this recipe.

• Granulated sugar – The key ingredient to its sweetness.
• Unsweetened cocoa powder – Natural or Dutch cocoa powder will work but I recommend Dutch if you have it for its milder taste that works just a bit better with pudding. Guittard, Ghirardelli and Valrhona are a couple of brands that make Dutch cocoa. Hershey’s Cocoa is the most common natural cocoa powder you’ll find and will work just fine.
• Cornstarch – The thickening agent that results in a smooth and creamy pudding.
• Salt – Draws out the flavors of the other ingredients.
• Whole milk – You can use any milk you like without changing the pudding too much but the fat content in whole milk is the best.
• Vanilla extract – Adds a subtle vanilla flavor to this dessert.

Refer to the microwave pudding recipe card below for the complete ingredients list with measurements.

How to Make Microwave Chocolate Pudding

1. Combine Ingredients – Combine all the dry ingredients and whisk in the milk until it’s smooth.
2. Microwave & Whish at Intervals – Microwave for 3 minutes, then whisk it until it’s smooth. Microwave for 2 minutes and whisk again. Continue for 1-minute increments until it’s smooth and thick and stir in the vanilla extract, once ready.

It’s important to whisk your pudding at each microwave interval. Whisk it thoroughly to remove any lumps, then cook it a bit more, then whisk it again. You’ll only need to go through this process 3-4 times and it goes very quickly!

Why did my pudding get lumpy?

Pudding most commonly gets lumpy from eggs that weren’t tempered first, resulting in “cooked” eggs. This can also happen if the mixture isn’t whisked enough during cooking.

How do you keep skin from forming on pudding?

The easiest way to do this is to place a piece of plastic wrap over the surface of the pudding as it cools.

What’s the difference between chocolate pudding and chocolate mousse?

Although they’re very similar, chocolate mousse is much lighter in texture. This is achieved by folding whipped egg whites or whipped cream into the chocolate. Chocolate pudding has a creamier texture, too.

Continue to Content

Easy Microwave Chocolate Pudding

Yield: 4 servings

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes

If you think you can't get a rich, smooth chocolate pudding in the microwave, give this recipe a try!

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Ingredients

• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (Dutch if you have it)
• 3 tbsp cornstarch
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups whole milk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Combine the sugar, cocoa, cornstarch, and salt in a medium-sized microwave-safe bowl. Whisk in the milk until it's smooth.
2. Place the bowl in the microwave and cook uncovered on high for 3 minutes, then whisk it until it's smooth.
3. Place it back in the microwave for 2 minutes and whisk it again. Continue cooking in 1-minute increments until it's smooth and thick. Stir in the vanilla extract.
4. Spoon into individual serving dishes and serve.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 185Total Fat: 4gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 12mgSodium: 117mgCarbohydrates: 31gNet Carbohydrates: 30gFiber: 1gSugar: 23gProtein: 5g

This data was provided and calculated by Nutritionix.

More delicious chocolate dessert recipes:

• Chocolate Berry Bread Pudding
• Chocolate Almond Bread Pudding
• Chocolate Pots de Crème
• Chocolate Truffles
• Chocolate Mousse with Drunken Cherries

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Kristy Bernardo

Kristy Bernardo is the recipe creator behind The Wicked Noodle. She's a five-time cookbook author, has taught cooking classes to both kids and adults, and has been creating recipes for nationwide brands since 2009. She learned most of her cooking skills from her mom and grandmother, then honed those skills at boot camp at the Culinary Institute of America.

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