I grew up not really liking chocolate pudding. The only kind I ever had was instant and the texture just always seemed weird to me. Then I went on a diet(one of many in my life before realizing that extra cushing for the pushing was better than starving). I was introduced to the world of fat free pudding cups. Not terribly exciting but in those days it was that or diet Jello. So I just got used to it. At no point in my life would I ever call it good. What I would have called it was tolerable. And when I gave up sugar for a year the sugar free kind was a God send I will not lie. But again, I wouldn’t call it good.
Not until I was in a pastry class and I had to make a cake with a chocolate pudding filling did I come to realize what all the fuss over chocolate pudding was. Thick and chocolate velvety goodness, this was like no pudding I had ever put in my mouth.
When I saw the recipe and saw that it called for using a food processor I decided to pretty much stay the course and not do something out of the ordinary this week. I like the use of the food processor, all be it a little odd, since it produces such a smooth pudding. I saw some people discussing that they were going to use skim milk. Just don’t. Seriously. If you are going to use skim milk just save the time and buy the Jello fat free kind. Same thing. Yes, I had to go buy whole milk, we drink skim. But whole milk has many other uses in the baking world and you can surely use it up!(jumps off of milk soap box)
The changes I did make to the recipe were the following:
I used no vanilla extract, I added 4 TBSP of Bailey’s Irish Cream instead.
I used 65% cocoa Madagascar chocolate.
I used ¼ cup more sugar due to the type of chocolate I used.
I added Bailey’s Irish Cream Caramel(recipe can be found here), this was either layered or placed at the bottom of each dish so that you got a surprise at the end.
It’s an easy recipe and I was more than happy not to have to turn on my oven this week. So thanks to Melissa of It’s Melissa’s Kitchen for picking it. If you want the recipe for it you can go to her site or go to Dorie’s own website and get it.
Marie says
I’m not sure why, but lately I haven’t been able to view your photos at all. Nevermind, I copied the properties and was able to put them into my browser and see them that way! Fabulous looking pudding! I love the little jars. I agree with you about using skim milk too. Full fat is the only way to go!
Rosa says
It looks delicious and rich! I’d love to dig my spoon in it…
Cheers,
Rosa
MyKitchenInHalfCups says
Chocolate pudding . . . it’s the simple things in life that can really catch us.
I guess it would be polite to use a real shovel but a big soup spoon would work well with this . . . yes.
Aran says
pudding yay!!! makes me happy!!
Lisa says
I’ve never had good pudding either.. I can’t wait for the day I can try this. I’ve eyed it in the book since I first received it.
Love the addition of the Baileys and the caramel.. YUM!
xoxoxoxo
Pamela says
Your additions and changes sound so, so good. Great pictures.
Steph says
Your pudding looks nice and thick! I guess the extra bit of fat from whole milk is worth it.
Jessica says
Looks fantastic – the caramel especially!
Kim says
I am with you Peabody, no interest in using skim milk or lowfat milk or fake sugar etc. The real deal or skip it all together. This is something I will have to make for the husband.
chocolatechic says
I ended up using half and half.
Madam Chow says
This sounds fabulous with the Bailey’s and the caramel. Beautiful photos, and I love those little pudding pots!
Patricia Scarpin says
I’m sure I have never tasted anything like this either. Oh, my friend, you always come up with such luscious ideas!
Caitlin says
Aaahhh – fat free and sugar free should not be counted as stages of your life! There’re reasons why food tastes good, and some of them are named chocolate, fat, and sugar. Oh, and Bailey’s Irish Cream sounds like it was made for this.
Joelen says
Your substitutions sound fabulous… Irish Cream Caramel Chocolate Pudding? Did I capture all the fab flavors? That’s a mouthful I’d definitely would like to try… and the serving dish is adorable. It reminds me of a butter warmer I have – lol!
Mary says
You’re spot on about the Jello pudding cups and using whole milk in a pudding recipe. The pudding looks fantastic.
veron says
I am so in search of the perfect chocolate pudding. And how could you have given up sugar for a year?! Yeah…if I’m going to make something like this, I’m just going to go whole milk full-fat everything!!!
Rebecca says
As God is my witness, I will never eat fat-free pudding again.
valerie says
it’s delicious !
Candace says
Yummmmm puddin. I’ll admit, I grew up with the instant stuff too… but I can tell you my children (should I decide to have some) won’t! 🙂
Mari says
“before realizing that extra cushing for the pushing was better than starving”….
You CRACK me up, girl and all I can say is AMEN!
Btw, I love the addition of booze and caramel, leave it to you to make chocolate pudding sinful!
VeggieGirl says
One taste (or even just one glance) of your pudding would cause that instant fat-free variety that’s sold in stores to be discontinued – your pudding is amazing, rich, and luscious-looking – everything that chocolate pudding should be!! :0)
rainbowbrown says
It took me a while, too, to realize the merits of homemade pudding. Well, for me it happened last week. 🙂 Yours looks wonderful and I love your additions. And subtractions.
Katrina says
ooh I love the caramel at the bottom idea.
I almost used baileys in mine, but opted for the starbucks liquer in mine in the end.
CB says
Did you say caramel?? GIMME! I used fat free milk. (Don’t smack me!) Maybe I’ll give it a try with whole milk and see if I can taste a difference. Don’t you love experiments you can eat? Great job on your pudding!
Clara @ iheartfood4thought
Bumblebutton says
Gotta try that Bailey’s surprise at the bottom! Yum. But why are your pudding cups so very small? Now I’m feeling rather hoggish–I poured the whole batch into three cups!
Ulrike says
Your serving dish looks like a special shot glass we use to flambée the liquid, it looks really small 😉
Like the Bailey’s surprise at the bottom
Christine says
Wow your pudding looks thick and delicious! Thanks for the camera tips, I will work on it and now can you tell me all about the macro lens??
Indigo says
Guh, this looks to die for. Particularly love the addition of Baileys irish cream; bet that was delicious!
Kelly says
Your pudding looks so good. I’m planning to make mine tonight. And I love the little serving dish. So cute!
macduff says
The fact that you made it a year without sugar is exemplary. I can’t even make it past 3pm.
The Baileys is a great idea. I think I’d like to try it next time – I actually added just a little more sugar to my recipe because I felt like it was too bitter for my taste. But booze livens up any recipe – good call.
Ashley says
Yum! I love the addition of caramel and of Bailey’s Irish Cream!
Susan says
You are a pudding genius!! Baileys? Caramel?? Can I come over? Now?
Jenny says
Chocolate and caramel, what a nice pairing.
Natalie says
I don’t think I can go back to the instant stuff! I have to make this-as soon as possible!
April says
Looks beautiful! I love your serving dish!
Mrs. L says
You put Bailey’s in your pudding? I HEART you!
Holly @ PheMOMenon says
All your changes sound fantastic to me! I’m with you on the boxed pudding – it is nothing to fuss over. This sure is (and yours would cause a riot!)
Melissa says
Can I get up on your soapbox with you? 🙂
Amanda says
Mmm… it looks thick and delicious.
kim says
how cute are those containers!! 🙂 it looks so delicious. i am definitely going to have to try using irish cream 🙂
Paula says
Love the Bailey’s Caramel addition! sheer genius!!
Linda (at tender crumb) says
Totally agree about your thoughts around whole milk vs. lowfat…if I’m making this, it’s going to be made the way it’s meant to be — rich, creamy, decadent!!!
BTW, a VERY cute brown/pink towel in your shots!
Kelly says
I will not be showing your post to my mom. Otherwise, I would be back in the kitchen tonight making this pudding with Bailey’s. She loved it plain and would probably weep with joy at your version.
Kristen says
Delicious – anything with Bailey’s in it gets top kudos from me!
katy says
oh yum. i have been such a dessert girl lately — this looks AMAZING!
Dolores says
Where’s my spoon???
I am so-ooo making your Bailey’s Cream Caramel with this… yum!
dawn says
I love the pudding. But I have to be honest, what caught my eye is that fabulous polka dot fabric underneath it! Oh I would love to make a cute sleeveless summer dress with it, ha ha–us girls love our polka dots. Just a fabulous pic Peabody!!
Happy Cooking
Erin says
Yum again. PUdding looks great and your changes sound like they would amp up that chocolate flavor.
steph (whisk/spoon) says
oh–i would love a caramel surprise at the end!
Madeline says
Oooh, a caramel surprise at the bottom, how fabulous! This looks delicious.
Melinda says
This may seem odd but I’m commenting about one of your posts from absolutely ages ago, and I mean years. The other day I made your dried cherry and white chocolate cookies. They were fantastically great. I couldn’t find dried cherries and had to use dried cranberries, but I had a great time caramelising the sugar. I wrote this comment here because you are more likely to read it now than go back.
Lydia (The Perfect Pantry) says
I grew up on that pudding from a box, too, and I think it ruined me for life. I haven’t eaten chocolate pudding since, but looking at your photos, I’m wondering why not. Time to try the real thing…
Tammy says
Yum, those additions sound great! I loved the smoothness of the pudding as well
annestrawberry says
I love the dishes, Peabody! I totally agree about using whole milk too.
Awesome job and beautiful photos!
Mix Tape Girl says
Chocolate my favorite. I will have to try this next. Btw I gave you an award over at my site.
Jayne says
Gorgeous job! I love the idea of layering it with the Bailey’s Irish Cream Caramel – yum!!
Kevin says
Nice looking chocolate pudding pots!
Heather B says
Love your pudding pots! Great job!
Tiffany says
I was really surprised the 1st time I tried real pudding also. In fact, I didnt even know you could make real pudding until I was like 20!! I guess I never thought about it, but I just assumed it had to come from a box!!
Susan at Sticky,Gooey,Creamy,Chewy says
I love your little containers! Very cute! Bailey’s is a wonderful idea too. I thought about Kahlua, but opted for espresso powder instead.
Carmella says
I love the tiny pots you used for the pudding! They’re so cute!!
Kristen says
This looks so yummy! The changes that you made remind me of one of my favorite desserts from Tommy Bahama. It’s a butterscotch pudding with a chocolate ganache bottom for that “surprise” factor that you were getting at. I might just have to make it tomorrow. Great job again, Peabody!
Kate says
Can we still be friends if I tell you my dirty secret? I always use skim milk.
jasmine says
I’ve always been a fan of chocolate pudding and my mum makes a yummy-to-me one from scratch.
My chocolate tooth is still slowly returning…the shots of the puds (in those adorable pots) is definitely hastening its full return…
j
Hannah says
How lovely… I almost never make pudding to eat on it’s own; it’s usually part of a trifle or something. This looks so good though, I can understand why you would have an unadorned bowl of pudding!
Beth G says
That looks delicious!! This was such a fun recipe to get fabulously creative with- yours is awesome!
Tony says
I hadn’t realized until recently that making stuff from scratch that I would usually buy at the store makes a world of a difference!! I’m a huge fan of homemade pudding and have to agree that whole milk is a must (unfortunately because I drink skim as well).
Elle says
So clever to put the Bailey’s flavored caramel as a hidden treat as part of the pudding. My mom made chocolate pudding from scratch when I was little, so I’ve always loved it, but didn’t know about using the food processor…great idea.
Judy (Judy's Gross Eats) says
Great take on the chocolate pudding with the Baileys and the caramel. I did add a bit of coffee-flavored tequila to my cocoa powder for this — helps dissolve it. I debated on using the food processor, but I just couldn’t increase the number of dirty dishes without good reason.
nickki says
For some reason I can’t see your photographs, but your pudding sounds delish! Adding bailey’s to it would be pudding heaven for me 🙂
nina says
How is this for a motto: When faced with temptation…yield to it!!! I agree, if you are going to have dessert, make sure it is a good one. No sugar free, fat free imitations of the real deal. These chocolate pots ARE THE REAL DEAL!!!!!!
Tartelette says
Just got a new puppy we named Bailey….The pudding looks wonderful as always and it would be perfect for the kind of weather we are having!
Melissa says
I am so making this pudding with the Bailey’s caramel this afternoon…I knew I was saving that bottle of Bailey’s for something amazing.
Teanna says
I love your photos and I love the use of Bailey’s! So delicious!
Bronte says
yummm….great job on the pudding! looks grrreat!
<3
noskos [Living the Life] says
Nice looking pudding!
mimi says
gorgeous pudding! i also agree, baking needs FAT, if you don’t want butter or whole milk in a home baked good then you mizewell go buy some snackwells!
snookydoodle says
that looks yummy
snookydoodle says
Just posted my first comment . but i ve been a thruthful follower for a long time and i m always looking forward for your amazing posts. You ve also inspired me to create my blogspot which its still in the beggining. if you wish to vistit its snookydoodlecakes.blogspot.com
Zlamushka says
Pudding, aaaaah… chocolate one,… aaah again. I want a soooonful 🙂
Btw, I came here through What´s For Lunch, Honey? I am hosting an event dedicated to trying foods from other bloggers. Meeta is in the spotlight for July. I really hope you can participate 🙂
Aaliyah says
I like what you put your pudding into. Cute! I look forward to seeing your post next week!
manggy says
Oh nooooo!!!! You drink skim milk?! I can’t take the stuff!! 🙂 Hahaha. But what I can eat infinitely is your delicious pudding!
Lynne says
I agree, the whole milk makes a much better pudding than using skim. Great looking chocolate pudding.
Sonya says
I love it…hmm
Jaime says
mmmmm i love your adaptations! i, however, am perfectly content i think w/my fat free pudding cups 🙂 like i said in my post, the richness of the homemade pudding is great, but there are so many other things i’d rather eat!
Jowin says
i am never a chocolate person.. but your Chocolate Pudding looks wonderful! Can you tell me where did you get the little milk jug for your Chocolate Pudding? Please? They are too cute!
Megan says
i would love to sink my teeth into this. it looks so luscious and rich..yummy!
lorrie says
Ack! Photograzing had a pic of a splayed out cooked pig, no thanks.
I always wondered who gingerbreadgirl was. I think your photos are just as good as the ones on Tastespotting now.
Martha says
I made this delicious pudding (minus the alcohol because it was for the kids) and everyone loved it. I just loved making it, it was so silky and thick and smelled like love.
Thanks Peabody.
heidileon says
wow, this is lovely, velvety like and chocolicious!.