Here’s a Dark Chocolate Pudding recipe that you’ll want to bookmark! This comforting dessert is made with dark cocoa and a hint of rum. You can adjust the cocoa and rum to taste.

a dessert dish filled with dark chocolate pudding with whipped cream and chocolate shavings.

How to make the best Dark Chocolate Pudding:

To get a true chocolate flavor, I use dutch processed cocoa powder. Dutch processed cocoa is darker in color and has a mellow, very true chocolate flavor. I highly recommend the brand listed in the recipe card (as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases). You can use natural cocoa if that’s all you have available.
I use a 1/2 cup of cocoa in my pudding for a very dark, deep flavor. If you want a lighter chocolate flavor (that’s probably better for kids) use as little as 1/4 cup of cocoa.
I love using rum in chocolate recipes not only because I like the flavor of rum (and I do) but mostly because alcohol enhances other flavors. If you don’t do alcohol or you’re worried about serving it to children you can reduce or omit the rum. If you’re serving both kids and adults, you can divide the pudding before flavoring and just add rum to the grown-ups’ portion.
I use both corn starch and egg yolks as thickeners. Cornstarch alone will thicken the pudding, but cornstarch does have a tendency to break down over time or if the pudding is stirred after it has cooled. Yolks add great flavor and can thicken the liquid, but you’ll get more thickening power and less chance of curdling with a combination of starch and yolks.
The cornstarch needs to come to a boil to unleash it’s thickening power. Make sure you bring the pudding up to a boil and then immediately remove it from the heat.
You can either serve the pudding in a large bowl, family style, or portion the warm pudding into individual serving bowls. However you store the pudding, make sure to cover the bowl to prevent a skin from forming.

Scroll through the process photos to see how to make Dark Chocolate Pudding from scratch:

two side by side photos showing how to mix the cocoa, sugar and milk to begin making dark chocolate pudding — Combine the cocoa and sugar with some of the milk. Mix the remaining milk with the cornstarch

two side by side photos showing how to "liason" the eggs and cornstarch into chocolate pudding — “Liason” the egg mixture into the cocoa and milk. Stir constantly until the pudding begins to boil and thickens.

two photos showing how to strain chocolate pudding and add the flavorings — Strain the pudding back into the bowl, then stir in the vanilla and rum.

two photos showing how to portion and store bowls of homemade dark chocolate pudding — Dish the pudding into individual serving bowls or one large serving bowl. Cover the bowls with plastic to prevent a skin from forming. Chill until set.

If you’re a chocoholic (and I bet you are) you should also try Dark Chocolate Mousse and Triple Chocolate Cream Pie.

For another comforting old-fashioned dessert make this Butterscotch Pudding.

a closeup of a spoonful of dark chocolate pudding and whipped cream

If you love this recipe as much as I do, I’d really appreciate a 5-star review.

a dish of dark chocolate pudding with whipped cream and chocolate shavings

Print Recipe

4.60 from 15 reviews

Dark Chocolate Pudding

By: Eileen Gray

Old fashioned chocolate pudding made with dark cocoa and a hint of (optional) rum.

Prep Time20

Bake Time20

Chilling Time2

Total Time2 40

8 servings

Save Recipe

Ingredients

8 oz whole milk (1 cup, divided)
1 oz corn starch (¼ cup)
6 large egg yolks
¼ teaspoon table salt
8 oz granulated sugar (1 cup)
1 oz cocoa powder (¼ cup)
16 oz heavy cream (2 cups)
2 tablespoons dark rum (optional)
1 tablespoon vanilla extract

Instructions

In a large bowl, whisk together ¼ cup of milk with 1 oz corn starch. Add 6 large egg yolks and ¼ teaspoon table salt. Set this aside.
Combine 8 oz granulated sugar and 1 oz cocoa powder in a medium sauce pan. Slowly whisk in the remaining ¾ cup of milk until there are no lumps of cocoa. Whisk in16 oz heavy cream. Heat over medium-high until scalding.
As soon as the milk/cocoa mixture is scalding, pour it into the the cornstarch/yolk mixture, vigorously whisking as you pour. Return the entire mixture to the pan.
Stirring constantly, cook over low heat until the pudding begins to thicken and just starts to simmer.
Immediately remove from the heat and pour the pudding through a sieve back into the mixing bowl. Whisk in the 2 tablespoons dark rum and 1 tablespoon vanilla extract.
Divide the pudding among 8 serving dishes or one large serving bowl.
Chill until set.