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
- Combine Ingredients - Combine all the dry ingredients and whisk in the milk until it's smooth.
- 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.
Easy Microwave Chocolate Pudding
If you think you can't get a rich, smooth chocolate pudding in the microwave, give this recipe a try!
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder (Dutch if you have it)
- 3 tablespoon cornstarch
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Combine the sugar, cocoa, cornstarch, and salt in a medium-sized microwave-safe bowl. Whisk in the milk until it's smooth.
- Place the bowl in the microwave and cook uncovered on high for 3 minutes, then whisk it until it's smooth.
- 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.
- Spoon into individual serving dishes and serve.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1Amount 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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Abby says
This pudding is so good and so easy. Do you have a vanilla pudding equivalent? My husband isn't as much of a chocolate fan as I am!
Kristy Bernardo says
Hi Abby! I don't but I'll keep it on my list of to-do's and let you know once I post one. So glad you're loving it!
Eleanor says
So, I was feeling slightly disappointed, as by the end of the third minute eat the end, it seemed even more liquid, but when I pulled it out at the end of the fourth minute, I knew it was starting to set! I ended up doing six minutes at the end in a middle wattage range microwave to get the slightly extra firm consistency that I was imagining. It's still slightly too hot for comfortable consumption, but I can't help myself! This is amazing! First time I've been happy about this week's difficulty sleeping! 😉 Thank you!
Kristy Bernardo says
I'm so glad!! Yeah, it's funny how it will seem like it's not doing anything then all of a sudden it really sets. SO happy you loved it!! Happy Holidays!
Lois says
I just made this for tonights dessert. Before I could let it cool down to put in small bowls my husband and nephew had it eaten in a flash of the eye. Sheesh. Warning to you all. Do not make this incredibly good pudding with two guys watching football anywhere near. So now to try another but double recipe. I may eeven get the whipped cream made. Thanks so much!
Kristy Bernardo says
That is SO AWESOME!! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Jenny says
I doubled the recipe and reduced the milk by 1/4 of the total and used it to make a chocolate pie. Perfection! Just the right balance of sweet and chocolate. Made a smooth and velvety pie too.
Kristy Bernardo says
YUM! You can never go wrong with pie 🙂
Michele says
Just made this pudding. Very good!!! I love chocolate pudding. I had some evaporated milk left over from another recipe so I used the rest of that and added 2% milk for the 2 cups of milk. I also think that I should have stirred the pudding about half way through because it was hard to get it mixed before cooking. It had some lumps but I stirred most of the lumps out. Good recipe!
Kristy Bernardo says
So glad you enjoyed it, Michele!
Erin says
I honestly don't comment on recipes that often, but this one was just too good to not leave feedback. I used almond milk and made it on the stove over low heat (microwave is currently out of commission), stirring constantly. Ohhh my! Between my boyfriend and myself, the whole pot was gone in less than ten minutes. It's just so easy, so chocolatey, and so good! Thanks so much for this recipe, I'll be making it in the future!
Deena says
How much does this make? I'm going to make mini dirt pies with this.
Kristy Bernardo says
Gosh, it's been so long since I've made this but I would say about 4 cups. Sorry, I now try to put servings into most of my recipes but this is an older one. You can always double it and just eat the extra 🙂
Deena says
Haha! 🙂 Ok! Thank you Kristy!
Kristy Bernardo says
Absolutely my pleasure, Deena! 🙂
Kristin @ cheap-chef.com says
Wow - WOW. I want to make a giant batch and just eat the entire thing myself, but I won't.... but I want to... WOW.
The Cheap Chef
the wicked noodle says
lol, Kristin!! I do just that far. too. often 🙂 Thanks for swinging by!
Anna says
AMAZING!!!
the wicked noodle says
Thanks Anna!!
Nyla says
Hi, how can I modify this recipe so I use the stovetop instead of the microwave?
the wicked noodle says
Hi Nyla, this recipe should work on the stove, you'll just have to keep stirring it until it thickens to your liking. Hope that helps!
Karen says
I made this with honey. It was great! Thanks!
the wicked noodle says
You're so welcome, Karen! I'm going to try it that way, too!
Robert LLoyd says
My daughter is a chocolate pudding Queen too and she had a very pleasant surprise when she came over today. This is simply the most incredible chocolate pudding we have ever had. 5 stars!!
Joey says
My girls are coming over and i'm thinking of fixing something sweet and simple for them. i need something that I can just whip up with the ingredients i have at hand and this seems perfect.
Katie says
My boyfriend would love this. We're both totally addicted to everything chocolate!
We have all the ingredients right here. I just hope that what comes out of my oven ends up like your chocolate pudding...or even just close to it 🙂
Anonymous says
I think this is the most perfect entry ever! Chocolate, Pudding, and Fast! What could be better 🙂
Maddy says
I am impressed! This looks so easy and delish!
Noah says
This is the most amazing chocolate pudding recipe in town! I am glad that I don’t need to use butter in it and I will never buy packaged pudding anymore. It’s just simply yummy!
Abigail says
This is the best chocolate pudding ever! I had never made chocolate pudding in the microwave before.
Ruth says
Perfect timing. I made some chocolate cakes a few days ago, and have a half pound of coca left over. I know what I'm going to do with the rest of it!
Kim says
I just made this, and I was shocked at how quick I was done! And, it is truly delicious, totally made my day. Thanks!
Fiona says
Maybe a stupid question, but would it be possibly to use arrowroot instead of cornstarch? I just got back from the food store, don't have any cornstarch in the cabinet, and want to make this right now 🙂
Miriam says
My boyfriend and I both love chocolate, and people keep giving us gifts of exotic cocoas as they know my boyfriend loves to bake. I don't really like to bake so much, so this pudding recipe is perfect for me. I can't wait to make it for desert tonight!
Anne says
This looks so delicious, I'm going to try it out later tonight!
Heather says
I just tried this tonight because I had a terrible craving for chocolate and nothing in the house. It was sooo good. Hit the spot for sure! Thanks for the recipe!
the wicked noodle says
YAY!! So glad you enjoyed it. I can completely relate to those nights when you just HAVE to have something chocolate. 🙂 Cheers.
Caryn Alleman Karkos says
This was a tad too bitter for me. Will adding more sugar ruin the results?
the wicked noodle says
As long as you make sure that the sugar is well dissolved before cooking it should be fine. You also may want to try using a better cocoa (assuming you didn't already).
Sabine says
I was wondering what you mean by dutch cocoa. I'm from the Netherlands, so can I use any cocoa or is dutch another name for unsweatened cocoa?
the wicked noodle says
Any cocoa will work. Dutch cocoa has a smoother flavor than regular. I recommend it for recipes such as this one where the cocoa is the star of the show. Regular will certainly work though.
Sabine says
I was wondering what dutch cocoa is... I'm from the Netherlands so does that mean i can use any cocoa, or is it another name for unsweetened cocoa?
Sara says
Can this be made with soy milk?
the wicked noodle says
I've never tried it myself but I don't see any reason why it wouldn't work. I definitely say go for it.
Angela says
One of my daughters has lactose issues, so I used coconut milk (the YoSoy brand, if it matters) and I actually think I liked it better than with dairy!
Keri Monkman says
this looks so easy and fantastic... how about storage? how long will it last in the fridge (if there's nobody sneaking in to eat it, that is...)
Keri Monkman says
this looks so easy and fantastic... how about storage? how long will it last in the fridge (if there's nobody sneaking in to eat it, that is...)
the wicked noodle says
I'm not sure since we've never had any left 😉 I'm sure it would last at least a few days though. If you don't want the "skin" to form on the top just put some plastic wrap directly on the surface once it's done. Have a great day!
Sanjeeta kk says
Oh this is a real treasure...so easy to make and what lovely texture!
Sanjeeta kk says
Oh this is a real treasure...so easy to make and what lovely texture!
PencilKitchen says
looks SUPER easy too! and I have all the ingredients too!
Anna says
Great homemade treat! I never imagined it can be this quick & easy. I never tracked time before when I make choco pudding. I use my daughter's formula dissolved in water when I first made pudding but it didnt turn out good, I ended up mixing it in her oatmeal (which she eventually finished, anyway). I guess it is skimmed milk for my share and whole/full cream milk for my daughter. Thanks for the post!
Jami says
Would it be dreadful with nonfat milk?
the wicked noodle says
The original recipe actually calls for skim, so go ahead and use it! I personally always buy whole but I'm sure it would be good either way. LMK how it turns out!
Heather Shaw says
awesome! I am sooo trying this tonight!
Britt says
Yum! Homemade pudding is so easy, and much tastier. I love to eat the pudding when it's still warm. Reminds me of my gramma, and watching her cook pudding on the stovetop, back before you could buy it already made in the store. 🙂