Rich, creamy, and chocolatey, this homemade pudding is completely dairy-free and can be sweetened to your taste with your favorite sugar-free sweetener. It's a simple dessert that's perfect served chilled.
Ingredients
- 4 cups unsweetened chocolate almond milk (or any unsweetened non-dairy milk)
-
Option 1:
- 2 squares unsweetened dairy-free baking chocolate
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
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OR Option 2:
- ½ to ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 cup water
- 6 tablespoons tapioca starch (or tapioca flour)
- You may need slightly less if using cornstarch.
- Potato starch may also be substituted.
- ¾ to 1 cup sugar-free sweetener, to taste
- Stevia
- Monk Fruit Sweetener
- Thera-Sweet
- Maltitol
Instructions
-
Prepare a double boiler.
Fill the bottom pot with a few inches of water and bring it to a gentle simmer. Place a heat-safe bowl or another pot on top, making sure it doesn't touch the water. -
Heat the chocolate mixture.
Add the almond milk and either:- the baking chocolate and cocoa powder, or
- the cocoa powder alone.
Stir continuously until the chocolate is completely melted and the mixture is hot. Do not allow it to boil.
-
Make the starch mixture.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the water and tapioca starch until completely smooth with no lumps. -
Thicken the pudding.
Slowly whisk the starch mixture into the hot chocolate mixture. Continue stirring constantly until the pudding thickens to a smooth, creamy consistency. -
Sweeten to taste.
Remove from the heat. Gradually stir in your preferred sugar-free sweetener, adding a little at a time until it reaches your desired sweetness. The amount needed will vary depending on the sweetener you choose. -
Chill.
Divide the pudding evenly among dessert bowls or ramekins. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or until completely chilled and set.
Tips
- For an even richer chocolate flavor, use the baking chocolate along with the cocoa powder.
- Cornstarch thickens more efficiently than tapioca starch, so you may need to use slightly less.
- Taste before adding all of the sweetener, as different sugar substitutes vary greatly in sweetness.
- Serve topped with fresh berries, dairy-free whipped topping, or shaved dairy-free dark chocolate for an elegant finish.