Let’s get one thing out of the way – this Paleo Chocolate Pudding is freaking awesome but there is a catch. It’s silky smooth, light, and incredibly airy with a deep taste of dark chocolate. You don’t taste the coconut milk at all (I know that matters to some of you!).
The only downside is that it is a hands-on process to make it. You are looking at about 15 minutes of non-stop whisking. Once you accept that, you are on your way to some seriously good Dairy Free Dark Chocolate Pudding.
This is something I started making for my son after he stopped drinking morning bottles. We used to give him a sippy cup every morning filled with full fat coconut milk with a splash of either unsweetened hemp or almond milk to loosen it up. It was one easy way to get some healthy fats into him (and get him to take probiotics and Vitamin D3!). When he gave those up, I started looking for creative ways to get him to consume a nice amount of coconut milk.
This pudding started out as one of them but truthfully has morphed into one of my husband and I’s favorite desserts!
NOTES:
- You really need to take the extra 2 minutes and sift the cocoa powder for this pudding. I like to use a mini mesh strainer like this and sift it right into the pot because I am lazy.
- I have tried this with Raw Cacao Powder and while I personally like it, my son and husband thought it was too “bitter” and “harsh” tasting.
- You want to use arrowroot starch and NOT tapioca starch as the tapioca starch can clump very easily in hot liquid and ruin the texture of the pudding and the arrowroot starch is pretty much flavorless.
- I have found that the Enjoy Life Mini Chips work perfectly due to their small size (they melt very quickly into the pudding!). They are also free of soy, nuts, dairy and gluten. You can really use any semi-sweet or dark chocolate that you like as long as it meets your specific dietary needs. Try to get mini chips or chop down large chunks into shavings or shred with a box grater.
- We have topped these with everything from Coconut Whipped Cream to fresh berries to nothing and to Toasted Coconut as shown in the picture. It really depends on what we have in our house at the moment.
- To make toasted coconut; heat a large skillet over medium heat. Once hot add coconut flakes. Cook, stirring constantly, for 3 to 4 minutes, until coconut begins to brown and coconut is fragrant. Remove from pan and set aside.
- My favorite brand of canned Coconut Milk is Natural Value. If I can’t get that, I like Native Forest.
Did you make this recipe? Please give it a star rating below!
11 Points Plus Per Serving -- Serves 4
- 13.5 ounce can of full fat coconut milk
- 1/3 cup coconut palm sugar
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder sifted
- 1/8 teaspoon sea salt
- 3 egg yolks
- 2 tablespoons arrowroot starch mixed with 2 Tablespoons ice cold water
- 1/3 cup soy, nut, and dairy free dark chocolate (I used Enjoy Life Mini Chips - see NOTES)
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
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Combine coconut milk, palm sugar, sifted cocoa powder and salt in a medium saucepan. Place over low heat and whisk until dissolved and mixture begins to steam. You do not want it to bubble or boil - just steam.-11542"]
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Whisk in egg yolks, one by one.
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While continuing to whisk coconut milk, slowly drizzle in arrowroot and water mixture.
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Continue whisking over low heat, for 8 to 10 minutes, until pudding is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon and slowly drip off. NOTE: Your whisk time may be a bit longer if the heat is too low. Just make sure the pudding texture resembles the picture below.
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Remove from heat, stir in vanilla extract and chocolate chips until dissolved. [img src="http://www.everydaymaven.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/IMG_0374-533x400.jpg" alt="" width="533" height="400" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-11547"]
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Divide pudding up into four serving dishes and place in the refrigerator. Allow to set for at least 2 hours before serving. Top with toasted coconut (see NOTES for instructions) or coconut whipped cream, serve and Enjoy!
Did you make this recipe? Tag @EverydayMaven on Instagram with the hashtag #EveryDayMaven and please give a star rating below.
John@Kitchen Riffs says
I haven’t made a real chocolate pudding for years! This looks wonderful — and I’m more than OK with 15 minutes of whisking, particularly if the payoff is wonderful tasting stuff. Really nice — thanks.
EverydayMaven says
The payoff is there with this one John – I hope you love it!
Melanie @ Carmel Moments says
Looks delightful and I just stocked up on coconut milk yesterday. Pinning!
kellie@foodtoglow says
Why oh why would anyone eat that name brand old school rubbish, with all the fake this and thats, when this looks so amazing and will taste loads better? Great recipe. Top tips too. I am with you on cacao – we all like it here x
EverydayMaven says
Seriously!?! If you like the raw cacao, make it with that – it’s so intense – I love it (especially with a bit of coconut whipped cream for balance).
Norma Chang says
This look seriously decadent. I will take 2 please. Yes I am greedy. Love your pudding dish.
EverydayMaven says
Not going to lie Norma, it’s quite easy to eat 2 of these!
Susan says
can I use egg white and almond milk? my husband has a heart problem and we don’t use coconut or yolks. Not good for the heart. But I would love to try it with the white eggs and almond milk.
EverydayMaven says
Hi Susan,
I don’t think you will get nearly the same texture that this pudding achieves. It will most likely be more like a mousse of some kind. Go for it and let me know if it works but please know that I haven’t tried those modifications so I can’t stand by them. Thanks and have a good weekend!
Jenny says
🙂
ashley - baker by nature says
This looks soooo dreamy, A!!!
EverydayMaven says
Thanks Ashley! Have a great weekend 🙂
Colleen Kennelly says
Can this be made with almond milk?
EverydayMaven says
Yep! I hope you like it 🙂
Hannah says
Oh Alyssa…this is just luscious! I am seriously craving some right now. Chocolate pudding is such a treat and I’m wondering now why I don’t make it more often. I’m willing to whisk for 15 minutes! Love your version with coconut milk and I can’t wait to try it. Happy weekend to you!
EverydayMaven says
Hannah, we can never keep this in our house 15 min longer than it takes to set. I have joked that I need to start either making triple batches or (really) mini portions lol! Have a great weekend 🙂
Jenny says
This is not dairy free, there are egg yolks
EverydayMaven says
Hi Jenny,
Eggs are not Dairy. I know it can be confusing as many grocery stores sell eggs in the “Dairy” section but they are not a by-product of a cow and don’t have milk proteins. Have a great weekend 🙂