I eat very little dairy on a daily basis and was an early converter to soy milk. Almond milk has been a newfound ingredient for me and I have learned many things about using it in the kitchen. First of all, read labels! I prefer Almond Breeze Unsweetened. Many almond milks are filled with sugar and unwanted thickeners and starches and will change the outcome of this recipe. This is based on a pudding that I make with cow’s milk and it adapted beautifully to using almond milk. This is very rich and creamy and decadent – and quick to make. If you want to crown it with a whipped topping, try our Coconut Whipped Cream. While you could try making the pudding with coconut milk as well, I actually find that variation to be a bit too rich, and I don’t say that about many desserts!
Image: Dédé Wilson
- ⅓ cup sifted natural cocoa
- ⅓ cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- Pinch salt
- 2 cups unsweetened almond milk, such as Almond Breeze Unsweetened
- 4 ounces semisweet or bittersweet chocolate (55% to 61%) such as Valrhona Extra Bitter or Callebaut semisweet or bittersweet, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Coconut Whipped Cream (optional)
- Have 8 ramekins (at least 4 ounces in size), goblets or glasses ready to receive the pudding.
- Whisk together the cocoa, sugar, cornstarch and salt in a medium-sized saucepan. Slowly whisk in about 1 cup of the almond milk until smooth, then whisk in remaining almond milk. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, (might take about 5 minutes), and simmer for 1 minute, whisking frequently until thickened. Add chocolate and whisk frequently for about 1 minute more until chocolate melts and the pudding is thick and smooth. The pudding should be thick enough to leave whisk marks in the surface. Remove from heat, whisk in vanilla, then immediately pour into waiting dishes or goblets.
- Cool until almost room temperature, then refrigerate at least 2 hours or overnight until set. Serve chilled with the optional whipped coconut cream topping.
I made this the other day and loved it! But, I wanted to make it a tad healthier. So, I made it again but I used coconut sugar instead of the sugar, and real all natural cacao powder which is higher in protein.
Good to know! We have all of those ingredients here and will give it a try. Some snowy days coming up and it will be a perfect, comfort-food treat. Thank you for letting us know.
You are very welcome. 🙂 I also did not add salt or coconut cream. Not a fan of coconut. I have got have have chocolate everyday. It keeps me calm LOL