Do you need a great chocolate pudding recipe? Homemade chocolate pudding is almost as easy to make as chocolate pudding from a mix, but you control exactly what goes into it. Read on to learn how to make chocolate pudding, step by step.

A basic pudding is made from flavored milk thickened with cornstarch. Pudding differs from differs from custard, which although it may contain milk and cornstarch is also thickened with eggs. Since there are so few ingredients in a pudding, the quality of the chocolate you use will greatly affect the taste of the pudding.

Pudding can be made with whole milk or half and half, for a creamy texture, or you can reduce the fat by using skim milk.

• 3 tablespoons cornstarch
• 4 tablespoons sugar
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups milk
• 2 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

1. Combine the cornstarch, sugar, salt, and 1/4 cup of milk in a heavy bottomed saucepan.
2. Stir well, and set aside.
3. In another saucepan, combine the milk and chopped chocolate.
4. Heat the milk until little bubbles form around the edge of the pan. Do not boil.
5. Add the hot milk to the cornstarch mixture slowly, whisking constantly as you pour the milk in.
6. Turn the heat to medium low, and cook the pudding until thickened, stirring constantly. This will take about about 15 minutes.
7. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla.
8. Cover and chill until ready to serve.

1. Add 2 teaspoons of Godiva chocolate liqueur with the vanilla.
2. Add 1/2 teaspoon of peppermint extract with the vanilla.
3. Substitute white chocolate for the unsweetened chocolate, reducing the sugar by a teaspoon.
4. Add 2 tablespoons of instant coffee with the chocolate for a mocha pudding.