Classic Chocolate Almond Milk Pudding: A timeless dessert featuring velvety pudding immersed in the rich, nutty warmth of almond extract. This is a blissfully simple indulgence made from only a few pantry basics and offers up sophisticated flavor to quench your sweet tooth.
Ideal for use whether you’re hosting or simply looking to treat yourself during a lazy night, this recipe is a great all-rounder. So, let’s debrief on the recipe, health benefits of this dish, serving suggestions, and more!
Recipe Overview
This chocolate almond milk pudding recipe serves 4 people, with each serving being approximately 1/2 cup. It’s a perfect portion for a light yet satisfying dessert. The preparation time is about 15 minutes, with minimal cleanup, making it ideal for both novice and experienced home cooks.
Chocolate Almond Milk Pudding
Equipment
- 1 Medium saucepan For cooking the pudding
- 1 Whisk To mix ingredients evenly
- 1 Mixing Bowl For prepping ingredients
- 4 Small serving bowls Optional for presentation
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup Sugar Granulated white
- 1/3 cup Baking Cocoa Unsweetened, high quality
- 2 tbsp Cornstarch For thickening
- 2 cups Milk Whole or 2%
- 1 large Egg Beaten
- 1/4 tsp Vanilla Extract Pure
- 1/8 tsp Almond Extract Use sparingly, it's potent
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, whisk together 1/2 cup sugar, 1/3 cup baking cocoa, and 2 tablespoons cornstarch until no lumps remain.
- Gradually whisk in 2 cups of milk and 1 beaten egg. Stir until smooth to prevent clumping.
- Place the saucepan over medium heat. Stir constantly to avoid scorching. Bring to a boil (5–7 minutes), then cook for 1–2 minutes until thickened.
- Remove from heat to prevent overcooking.
- Stir in 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract and 1/8 teaspoon almond extract. Mix well.
- Spoon into bowls for warm serving or transfer to an airtight container to chill for 2–4 hours.
Notes
- Ingredient Selection: Use fresh, pure extracts and high-quality cocoa for best flavor.
- Storage Tips: Store covered in the fridge for up to 3 days. Do not cover surface directly to avoid skin formation. Avoid freezing.
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Serving Ideas:
- Top with whipped cream and cocoa powder
- Make a layered parfait with fruits and cookie crumbs
- Garnish with toasted nuts or chocolate shavings
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Variations:
- Use almond/oat milk + cornstarch slurry for vegan version
- Add 1/4 cup melted dark chocolate for richer flavor
- Infuse with cinnamon or nutmeg for a spiced version
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Pairings:
- Coffee (espresso/cappuccino), Chai or Earl Grey
- Ruby Port, Moscato, or warm almond milk
Health Benefits of Ingredients
Not just the flavor is supported by each ingredient, but also contributes to the nutritional content of my pudding. Below is the list of health benefits that they provide:
- Sugar: Though it is a simple form of energy that sugar is only for the short term. Perhaps moderation — too much can affect your blood sugar levels.
- Baking Cocoa: High in antioxidants, particularly flavonoids. According to marker, cocoa just may help heart health by causing blood flow and lowering inflammation. It also includes trace amounts of magnesium and iron, though.
- Gluten-Safe Glucose Replacement Thickener (Corn Starch): It doesn’t add much to the nutrition, but is essential for a creamy mouthfeel.
- Milk: An excellent source of calcium, versus D & P, which promotes bone strength and muscle performance. The whole milk is extra creamy and has healthy fats, while 2% is a lighter alternative.
- An Egg: Offers easy-to-digest high quality protein & healthy fats that provide important nutrients such as choline, vital for brain health. Egg yolk: Vit A, D, and E.
- Vanilla Extract — Okay, vanilla extract aside from just flavor does contain tiny bits of antioxidants…as well…they may be anti-inflammatory to some degree.
- Vanilla extract (from almond oil) – It gives a hint of nutty flavor along with a trace amount of healthy fats. Due to its high concentration, a small quantity is enough.
This supposedly indulgent dessert contains cocoa and milk that are actually nutrient-dense in small quantities. If you’re asking, can you make chocolate pudding with almond milk? — yes, and this almond milk chocolate pudding recipe proves it.
Serving Ideas and Variations
Chocolate almond milk pudding is so versatile and adaptable to other flavor profiles. Some serving ideas and adaptations:
- Warm Classic Pudding: Dust with cocoa and dollop with whipped cream as a warm endeavor.
- Frosting Parfait: Alternate chilled pudding between graham cracker crumbs, sliced bananas, or mixed berries in a glass for an on-trend parfait.
- Nutty Crunch: Garnish with toasted chopped almonds or hazelnuts for textural crunch and to up the almond flavor.
- Vegan Alternative: Use almond or oat milk instead of dairy milk, and replace the egg with cornstarch slurry (1 tablespoon cornstarch and 2 tablespoons water) for a vegan version — a twist for those looking for almond milk dessert recipes easy.
- A Little Spice: Cook with cinnamon or nutmeg if you’re looking for a warm, spiced taste profile.
- Chocolate Intensity: Pour in 1/4 cup melted dark chocolate after the pudding has been removed from the heat (for an even richer chocolate pudding).
- Fresh Mint, Shaved Chocolate, or a Drizzle of Caramel: Makes for a prettier garnish at the holidays, but otherwise delicious.
If you’re using instant pudding with almond milk, note that results may vary unless modified properly — but this recipe is fully tested for classic stovetop pudding using almond milk with eggs.
Tips on Ingredient Selection and Storage
For the best results, pick and store ingredients as follows:
- Sugar: Choose fresh, granulated white sugar. Keep in an airtight container and let it sit in a cool, dry place where clumps never form.
- Baking Cocoa: Opt for the unsweetened, high-quality cocoa powder (ideally Dutch-processed, as it bakes smoother). Store in an airtight container away from heat and moisture.
- Cornstarch: You must use fresh cornstarch, or else, old cornstarch fails to thicken. Keep in a dry, air-tight container.
- Whole (or 2%) Milk: For the best creaminess. Expiry date: Read the date and store in fridge at 35–40°F (2–4°C).
- Eggs: Select fresh large eggs. Store in the carton in the refrigerator to maintain quality.
- Use Real Extract Only…Vanilla and Almond: Choose pure extracts over imitation for the best flavor. Bottle extracts in dark, airtight bottles and store in a dark, cool location.
- How to Store Pudding: Store prepared pudding in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Do not cover the surface with plastic wrap, otherwise you will get a skin. Freezing—no thanks to the texture transformation.
For a faster version, you can try instant chocolate pudding with almond milk, but results vary — traditional stovetop cooking yields the best texture.
Beverage Pairings
Going with the chocolate almond pudding of your choice, a beverage that complements it well in an adult dessert pairing. Some things to try:
- Coffee: Moderate roast espresso or cappuccino (to cut the richness of the chocolate and blend the pudding with a little sweetness too).
- Tea/Iced Version: Chai tea with a little spice, or a light blend like Earl Grey, goes well with the almond notes in the pudding.
- Glass of Ruby Port or Amontillado: If you prefer wine; Moscato on the non-alcoholic side enhances your chocolate indulgence even more deliciously 🙂
- For Informal Relaxation: Warm almond milk (and sprinkle some cinnamon on top for warming factor), or any cold drink for chilled pudding.
- Warm the pudding up and serve it with your favourite hot beverage for a warm pudding, or for a chilled version — cold-tempered people prefer non-alcoholic drinks.
Best Time to Consume
Although chocolate almond milk pudding is flexible enough to be any time of day, it’s not gonna be better off in these instances:
- Evening Dessert: Recommended after dinner dessert with warm coffee or wine. Side Note: The most delicious way to relax at the end of the evening is to relax with a spoonful or two of this pudding.
- Warm Mid-Afternoon Treat: Freeze portion and serve with your chosen tea, sparkling water (something cold is what I prefer for warmth-accuracy levels | Titan).
- Big Moments: Offer at parties or for holidays–served as a parfait layered and garnished beautifully to wow your guests.
- Late-Night Snack? Feeding yourself massive high-sugar meals late at night may disrupt sleep. Do try, though, in the evening when a small serving really can be a relaxant, creatine.
Conclusion
Chocolate almond milk pudding is no simple dessert — it’s the triumph of basic goods reborn into decadence! The dish has a decadent chocolate taste, while the subtle almond flavor and velvety consistency will pair wonderfully with anything.
The pudding is fun to make from the basic recipe, or you can tweak it; no matter which way it comes out, it will be good. Opting for quality ingredients, taking the easy direction, and following that up with the right pairing drink can turn this seemingly ordinary dessert into an epicurean experience.
Whether you’re trying almond milk pudding with eggs, or exploring almond milk pudding recipe alternatives, grab your saucepan and whisk and have some fun with the homemade chocolate almond pudding itself!
