A Spicy Perspective

The Ultimate Chocolate Budino

Chocolate Budino – A classic Italian recipe for the richest and most delicious chocolate pudding. Top with whipped cream and fresh cherries, plus a sprinkle of sea salt, and serve as a decadent dessert that everyone will love!

close view servings of chocolate budino in with whipped cream and cherries

Special occasions should always include celebration-worthy sweets. I mean, it isn’t really a dinner party if there’s no dessert at the end!

To me, the more decadent the better. And if you too enjoy desserts like chocolate pudding and pot de crème, you are going to LOVE Italian Chocolate Budino.

It is creamy and smooth, similar to our classic homemade chocolate pudding and strawberry pudding… However, budino has a much deeper rich, luscious taste.

top view four servings of Italian chocolate puddings with cherries, whipped cream, and sea salt

What’s the Difference Between Budino and Pudding?

Budino is an Italian-style pudding that is thick and ultra-silky. Instead of including cornstarch like American pudding recipes, this dessert is thickened with egg yolks. So it tastes like the best-ever chocolate cake batter but feels like French silk in your mouth.

I pair chocolate budino with whipped cream, sea salt, and fresh cherries, for an elegant holiday treat!

close view of spoon with pudding, cherry halve and sea salt

Ingredients You Need

  • Dark baking chocolateor semi-sweet, chopped
  • Egg yolkstip: store the egg whites in an airtight container in the fridge, and use to make omelets or other recipes that call for the whites
  • Sugar – granulated
  • Saltjust a pinch
  • Half and halfneeded for the perfect creamy texture
  • Extra-virgin olive oilcreates that signature silkiness and earthy taste
  • Vanilla extract and Almond extracttogether they boost the chocolate

Plus whipped cream, pitted cherries, and sea salt, to garnish.

chopped chocolate in a measuring cup

How to Make Italian Chocolate Budino

First, place the finely chopped chocolate in a mixing bowl.

Set a fine-mesh strainer over the top of the bowl.

metal mesh sieve over a bowl of chopped chocolate

Set a medium saucepot over medium heat. Add the eggs, sugar, and salt. Whisk well until the sugar starts to dissolve into the yolks. Then slowly whisk in the half and half.

Stir and cook the custard mixture until it is thick enough to coat a spoon, like the consistency of gravy. Then pour the custard into the strainer and push it through, with a spatula, onto the chocolate.

egg yolk mixture in a metal sieve over a bowl

Allow the mixture to sit and melt the chocolate for five minutes. Then stir in the olive oil, vanilla extract, and almond extract.

Get the Complete (Printable) Chocolate Budino Recipe + VIDEO Below. Enjoy!

combining the ingredients in a bowl with blue spatula

Continue to stir until all the chocolate chunks are melted into the mixture.

pudding with chocolate smooth mixture in a large measuring cup with blue spatula

Pour or spoon the mixture into serving cups or ramekins.

Place in the refrigerator and chill, for at least two hours, or until ready to serve.

top view budino with chocolate individual servings, with pitted cherries and whipped cream with sea salt on each

Serving Suggestions

We love to top each portion of chilled chocolate budino with fresh whipped cream, fresh cherries, and a sprinkling of sea salt.

Add whatever sweet toppings you like best! Chocolate shavings, candied or toasted chopped nuts, caramel sauce, and fresh raspberries are all delicious as well.

four individual servings of chocolate Italian pudding with fresh whipped cream, cherries, and sea salt

Frequently Asked Questions

Besides chocolate, what other budino flavors can you make?

Similar to American pudding, there are many different flavor options for making budino. This Italian Butterscotch recipe is another one of our personal favorites!

Can this recipe be halved or doubled?

As-is this recipe makes 12 mini ¼ cup servings, 10  – 1/3 cup servings, or 6 – ½ cup servings. Feel free to halve or double the ingredients to make however many – and whatever size – servings you need.

How long does homemade Italian pudding last?

They’ll keep for up to a week in the refrigerator. Store them in airtight containers, or cover each serving with plastic cling wrap.

close view of serving of Italian chocolate pudding with cherry halves, whipped cream, and sea salt

Looking for More Delicious Desserts? You’ve Got to Try These Recipes!

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5 from 3 votes
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The Ultimate Chocolate Budino Recipe + VIDEO

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Chill Time: 2 hours
Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
This classic Italian pudding recipe makes THE MOST rich and delicious chocolate budino. Top with whipped cream and fresh cherries, plus a sprinkle of sea salt, and serve as a decadent dessert that everyone will love!
Servings: 6 servings

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Place the finely chopped chocolate in a mixing bowl. Set a fine mesh strainer over the top of the bowl.
  • Set a medium sauce pot over medium heat. Add the eggs, sugar, and salt. Whisk well until the sugar starts to dissolve into the yolks. Then slowly whisk in the half and half.
  • Stir and cook the custard mixture until it is thick enough to coat a spoon, like the consistency of gravy. Then pour the custard into the strainer and push it through, with a spatula, onto the chocolate.
  • Allow the mixture to sit and melt the chocolate for five minutes. Then stir in the olive oil, vanilla extract, and almond extract. Continue to stir until all the chocolate chunks or melted into the mixture.
  • Pour or spoon the mixture into serving cups or ramekins.
  • Place in the refrigerator and chill, for at least two hours, or until ready to serve. Then top with fresh whipped cream, fresh cherries, and a sprinkling of sea salt.

Video

Notes

This recipe makes 12 mini ¼ cup servings, 10  – 1/3 cup servings, or 6 – ½ cup servings.
Homemade budino will keep for up to a week in the refrigerator. Store in airtight containers, or cover each serving with plastic cling wrap.

Nutrition

Serving: 0.5g, Calories: 419kcal, Carbohydrates: 31g, Protein: 8g, Fat: 32g, Saturated Fat: 17g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 12g, Cholesterol: 225mg, Sodium: 238mg, Potassium: 127mg, Fiber: 4g, Sugar: 21g, Vitamin A: 545IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 108mg, Iron: 1mg
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Italian
Author: Sommer Collier

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4 comments on “The Ultimate Chocolate Budino”

  1. I only have whole cream?? Can I use this instead of the half and half??

  2. I served this as a dessert after our ribeye dinner and this dessert breast everything we ate!! I love the texture and the flavor, this is a divine dessert!

  3. LOVE this! Wow! So incredible! Absolutely incredible! Rich, delicious, so good. I love this and I need to make this again!!

  4. This pudding is making my dreams come true! my friends and I enjoyed this so much!