This Smitten Kitchen Chocolate Pudding recipe is a beacon of culinary excellence in a sea of chocolate desserts. Made by the talented Deb Perelman of the beloved Smitten Kitchen blog, it elevates a household staple into a gourmet experience.
How to make Smitten Kitchen Chocolate Pudding
Smitten Kitchen Chocolate Pudding is a rich and creamy homemade dessert made with simple ingredients like milk, sugar, cocoa powder, eggs, and cornstarch. The recipe, created by food blogger Deb Perelman of Smitten Kitchen, focuses on creating a velvety smooth pudding without the need for artificial thickeners or preservatives.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup (50 grams) cornstarch
- 1/2 cup (100 grams) sugar
- 1/8 teaspoon fine sea or kosher salt
- 3 cups (710 ml) whole milk (You can substitute part with cream for a richer texture or use non-dairy milk alternatives for a vegan version.)
- 6 ounces (170 grams) semi- or bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped (Quality matters here, as the chocolate is the star.)
- 1 teaspoon (5 ml) pure vanilla extract
Optional for an extra chocolatey experience:
- A pinch of ground cinnamon or cayenne pepper, according to taste
- Unsweetened cocoa powder (1/4 cup for a deep, dark chocolate flavor)
Instructions:
- Prepare Your Ingredients: Chop the chocolate finely to ensure it melts uniformly into the mixture. Measure all other ingredients as listed to streamline the cooking process.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium saucepan, whisk together cornstarch, sugar, and salt. This step is crucial for preventing lumps.
- Add Milk: Gradually whisk in the milk, ensuring that the mixture remains smooth and homogenous. If using cocoa powder, sift it in with the dry ingredients to avoid clumps.
- Cook: Cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens and starts to bubble. This may take about 10–15 minutes. Be patient and don’t rush this step to avoid burning the mixture.
- Add Chocolate: Once thickened, remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the chopped chocolate and vanilla extract until the chocolate is completely melted and the mixture is smooth.
- Chill: Pour the pudding into dishes. If you dislike pudding skin, press plastic wrap or wax paper directly onto the surface of the pudding before chilling. Refrigerate until set, about 2–4 hours.
- Serve: Enjoy it as is, or top with whipped cream, chocolate shavings, or a dusting of cocoa powder for an extra touch of elegance.
Tips:
- Quality of Chocolate: The choice of chocolate can significantly influence the flavor. Experiment with different brands and cacao percentages to find your perfect match.
- Whisking: Constant whisking is the key to a smooth, clump-free texture. Don’t be tempted to leave the mixture unattended.
- Chilling Time: Although the pudding sets in a couple of hours, letting it chill overnight can deepen the flavors and improve the texture.
- Serving: This pudding can be a humble treat on its own or serve as a base for more elaborate desserts. Layer it with cake crumbs and fresh berries or incorporate it into trifle layers for a sumptuous dessert.
What to serve with
The rich and creamy Smitten Kitchen Chocolate Pudding stands wonderfully on its own, but pairing it with the right accompaniments can elevate the dessert to a whole new level of indulgence.
Classic Toppings:
- Whipped Cream or Crème Chantilly: A dollop of lightly sweetened whipped cream adds a contrasting lightness to the pudding’s dense texture.
- Chocolate Shavings: Sprinkle the top of your Smitten Kitchen Chocolate Pudding with chocolate shavings for a touch of elegance and an extra chocolatey bite.
Fruit Pairings:
- Fresh Berries: Strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries provide a tart and sweet contrast to the pudding and add a pop of color.
- Banana Slices: The classic combination of bananas and chocolate is a perennial favorite and adds a natural sweetness.
- Citrus Zest: Orange, lemon, or lime zest can bring a fresh aromatic lift to the dessert.
Nutty Crunch:
- Toasted Nuts: Almonds, hazelnuts, or pecans, toasted and chopped, add a delightful crunch and nutty flavor to the Smitten Kitchen Chocolate Pudding.
- Peanut Butter: A swirl of creamy or crunchy peanut butter can create a comforting, familiar flavor profile similar to that of a peanut butter cup.
Sweet Sauce Drizzles:
- Salted Caramel: A swirl of salted caramel on top of your pudding can enhance its flavors with a buttery, sweet, and salty kick.
- Berry Coulis: A vibrant, sweet, and tangy berry coulis can cut through the richness of the pudding and serve as a refreshing palate cleanser.
Spices and Herbs:
- Mint Leaves: A mint sprig adds decoration and provides a refreshing note that complements chocolate.
- Cinnamon or Spice: A sprinkle of cinnamon, cardamom, or even cayenne pepper can add a warm and exotic twist to each bite.
Baked Goods:
- Shortbread Cookies: Serve the pudding with buttery shortbread cookies on the side for dipping.
- Graham Cracker Crust: Layer the bottom of the serving dish with a graham cracker crust for a cheesecake-like experience.
Coffee or Alcohol:
- Espresso or Coffee: Chocolate and coffee are a match made in heaven. Serve a strong espresso to sip alongside the pudding.
- Liqueurs: A splash of Baileys, Kahlúa, or Grand Marnier can be added to the pudding or used in a whipped cream topping for an adult twist.
Ingredients Substitutes
Creating a decadent chocolate pudding à la Smitten Kitchen is a delightful opportunity to explore and adapt the recipe according to dietary restrictions, personal preferences, or simply what you have in your pantry.
Chocolate
- High-Quality Chocolate: Ideally, the recipe calls for good-quality dark chocolate. You can substitute semi-sweet chocolate chips, cocoa powder (adjust the sugar accordingly, as the cocoa powder is unsweetened), or even milk chocolate for a sweeter, less intense chocolate flavour. For a cocoa powder substitution, use about 3 tablespoons of cocoa powder mixed with 1 tablespoon of butter for every ounce of chocolate.
Milk
- Whole Milk: The richness of whole milk contributes to the creamy texture of the pudding. You can use almond milk, coconut milk, oat milk, or soy milk for a dairy-free version. Note that the choice of milk can slightly alter the flavor profile, with coconut milk adding a tropical hint.
- Heavy Cream: Part of the liquid in traditional recipes can also be heavy cream for extra richness. For a lighter version, you can simply use more milk or a dairy-free cream alternative instead of the cream.
Sugar
- Granulated Sugar: If you want to substitute granulated sugar, you can use brown sugar for a deeper flavor, honey, or maple syrup for natural sweetness. When using liquid sweeteners, adjust the quantity slightly as they are sweeter and can add more liquid to the pudding.
Cornstarch
- Cornstarch thickens the pudding. Arrowroot powder or potato starch can be used as a one-to-one substitute if you’re avoiding corn products. Rice flour or even all-purpose flour can also work, but you might need to adjust the quantity as their thickening properties differ.
Eggs
- Egg Yolks: They help thicken the pudding and add richness. For a vegan or egg-free version, increase the amount of your chosen starch slightly. Silken tofu blended until smooth or a small amount of agar-agar can also be a thickening agent, though the texture might vary slightly.
Vanilla Extract
- Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and aroma. If you don’t have it on hand, you can try almond extract for a different flavor profile, or skip it altogether. Vanilla bean paste or the seeds scraped from a vanilla bean pod are excellent but more luxurious alternatives.
Salt
- Salt: Enhances the flavor of the chocolate. If you’re using salted butter in place of any part of the fat called for, you might want to reduce the additional salt. When sprinkled on top, specialty salts like Himalayan pink salt or fleur de sel can add a gourmet touch.
Final Thoughts
The beauty of the Smitten Kitchen Chocolate Pudding recipe lies in its simplicity and the joy it brings to those who make and taste it.
More Chocolate Recipes:
- Nespresso White Chocolate Strawberry Recipe
- Copycat Torani White Chocolate Sauce Recipe
- Starbucks Peppermint White Chocolate Mocha Recipe
- White Chocolate Shrimp Alfredo Recipe
- Dunkin’ Toasted White Chocolate Latte Recipe
![Smitten Kitchen Chocolate Pudding Recipe Smitten Kitchen Chocolate Pudding Recipe](https://i0.wp.com/ownbrandchocolate.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Untitled-design-2025-01-20T134829.398.png?resize=585%2C585&ssl=1)
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup (50 grams) cornstarch
- 1/2 cup (100 grams) sugar
- 1/8 teaspoon fine sea or kosher salt
- 3 cups (710 ml) whole milk
- 6 ounces (170 grams) semi- or bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon (5 ml) pure vanilla extract
Optional for an extra chocolatey experience:
- A pinch of ground cinnamon
- Unsweetened cocoa powder
Instructions
- Prepare Your Ingredients: Chop the chocolate finely to ensure it melts uniformly into the mixture. Measure all other ingredients as listed to streamline the cooking process.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium saucepan, whisk together cornstarch, sugar, and salt. This step is crucial for preventing lumps.
- Add Milk: Gradually whisk in the milk, ensuring that the mixture remains smooth and homogenous. If using cocoa powder, sift it in with the dry ingredients to avoid clumps.
- Cook: Cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens and starts to bubble. This may take about 10–15 minutes. Be patient and don't rush this step to avoid burning the mixture.
- Add Chocolate: Once thickened, remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the chopped chocolate and vanilla extract until the chocolate is completely melted and the mixture is smooth.
- Chill: Pour the pudding into dishes. If you dislike pudding skin, press plastic wrap or wax paper directly onto the surface of the pudding before chilling. Refrigerate until set, about 2–4 hours.
- Serve: Enjoy it as is, or top with whipped cream, chocolate shavings, or a dusting of cocoa powder for an extra touch of elegance.