Chocolate Pudding with Toppers (Recipe Redux Challenge)

by The Meal Makeover Moms on February 21st, 2012

When the month of February rolls around, all we can think about is chocolate. Not milk chocolate. Not white chocolate. But dark and semi-sweet chocolate. We love chocolate, and happily, research shows that eating an ounce or so of dark chocolate a day (along with a diet rich in fruits, veggies, whole grains … you get the drift) is good for the heart. Of course, no matter how healthy chocolate may be — chocolate and cocoa powder come from cacao beans that contain natural disease-fighting antioxidants called flavonoids — if you mix it up with heavy cream, cupfuls of sugar, and sticks of butter, all those health attributes get smothered … literally.

We created this luscious yet light chocolate pudding from scratch. It’s wholesome, low in saturated fat, and brimming with calcium, and with toppers like berries, nuts, and crunchy whole grain cereal, a bowl of our pudding is a nice way to end a meal. And let’s not forget how happy our kids are when we serve this as an after-school snacks.

Simple ingredients mean this recipe comes together oh-so quickly. To increase the protein, you could easily switch to Greek yogurt.

Chocolate Pudding with Toppers

Makes 6 Servings 

  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, sifted
  • 3 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • 2½ cups 1% low-fat milk
  • 1/2 cup low-fat vanilla yogurt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Optional Toppings: Crushed Graham crackers, chopped nuts, granola cereal, blueberries, raspberries, sliced bananas, sliced strawberries, light whipped cream

1. Whisk together the sugar, cocoa, cornstarch, and salt in a medium saucepan. Gradually whisk in the milk until well blended.

2. Place over medium-high heat and bring to a simmer, stirring constantly. Reduce the heat and continue to simmer, stirring gently, until the mixture thickens slightly, about 2 minutes.

3. Remove from the heat and stir in the yogurt and vanilla. Spoon the mixture into 6 individual serving bowls. Cover with plastic wrap or wax paper (this will prevent a film from forming) and chill for at least 1 hour.

4. Sprinkle with toppings as desired and serve.

Nutrition Information per Serving (1/2 cup): 160 calories, 1.5g fat (1g saturated), 115mg sodium, 31g carbohydrate, 1g fiber, 6g protein, 15% calcium

Print Recipe

Liz hosts a Meal Makeover cooking segment for Everwell TV (the videos run in doctor’s offices nationwide), and she recently featured our better-for-you chocolate pudding recipe!

 

Every month, we participate in a nutrition blogger challenge called, Recipe Redux. This month’s challenge was chocolate. To see and sample the recipes from our fellow dietitian bloggers, check out all the links below:
get the InLinkz code


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12 Comments | Filed Under Desserts, RecipeRescue, Snacks 

12 Responses to “Chocolate Pudding with Toppers (Recipe Redux Challenge)”

  1. Meg on February 21st, 2012

    This is looks delish! I’m going to have to try this out!

  2. Mary Brighton on February 21st, 2012

    The picture is so beautiful! Got to try this. Thanks so much for sharing.

  3. EA-The Spicy RD on February 21st, 2012

    This looks delicious and I love the addition of yogurt! My kids would have fun with the “toppers”. PS-We has your skinny fettuccine for our family Valentines dinner and loved it :-)

  4. Janel on February 21st, 2012

    Your photos keep getting better and better and better! Gorgeous!

  5. Danielle Omar, Food Confidence RD on February 21st, 2012

    Love this…always looking for homemade versions of my daughter’s favorites. Also love the topping ideas!

  6. JeJe on February 21st, 2012

    Oh what a great recipe for chocolate pudding! I will definitely keep this one in mind.:)

  7. Kristen @ Swanky Dietitian on February 21st, 2012

    This looks delicious!
    I love that you mentioned all those yummy toppers! Banana slices sound excellent.

  8. Regan @ The Professional Palate on February 21st, 2012

    Isn’t it amazing how many people don’t realize homemade chocolate pudding is so easy & so much better than the plastic carton stuff?

    My boys would love this!

  9. Emma Stirling on February 22nd, 2012

    Yum l know my kids would love this! So good to see you in the video too Liz. You are such a natural in front of the camera.

  10. Susan @ Wish Upon A Dish on February 25th, 2012

    We often make sugar-free pudding but I like the look of this much better, especially if I use palm sugar and that addition of yogurt.
    My husband will love this.

  11. Emily Greenfield on February 26th, 2012

    this looks delicious and healthy!

  12. Jessica on February 27th, 2012

    Looks delish! I love the toppings!

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