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    Home » Baking » Puddings

    Vegan Chocolate Custard Pudding

    Published: May 3, 2021 · Modified: Jan 31, 2023 by Jacq · This post may contain affiliate links ·12 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Vegan chocolate custard pudding is a traditional chocolate pudding that has been enjoyed for many generations.

    This chocolate custard pudding is such a quick and easy dessert that can be ready in just 20 minutes. Or chilled for later.

    Even if you are not a fan of custard this chocolate pudding is a different thing altogether.

    Each bite tastes like a chilled chocolate pudding that you might find in the supermarket chilled section beside the yogurts.

    If you enjoy Alpro soya chocolate pots you will love this recipe.

    vegan chocolate custard pudding

    Origins of Bird's Custard Powder

    Bird's custard powder was invented in 1837 by the chemist Alfred Bird. Custard powder is made with cornflour and was created by Bird as his wife suffered with an egg allergy.

    When Bird released that others enjoyed the custard prepared with the powder he began to manufacture and produce the custard powder for general sale.

    Bird's custard powder became so popular that it was widely used during the First World War (1914-1918) and the British army were even supplied with custard powder.

    custard powder

    Origins of Chilled Chocolate Custard Pudding

    There are two types of chocolate pudding. One is baked or steamed and is of much older origin. The second pudding can be prepared with either an egg custard or a starch-based mix before heated in a saucepan to thicken up and then chilled.

    Chilled chocolate pudding dates back to the 19th century and was eaten mainly be richer folks.

    Today chocolate pudding is commonly prepared with Bird's custard powder. Modern chocolate pudding is enjoyed around the world including countries within the UK, US, EU, and Asia. In many supermarkets chocolate pudding can be purchased ready-made in small pots or as dried packet mixes.

    National Chocolate Pudding Day is held each year on the 26th June.

    This is the perfect day to appreciate and enjoy a home-made chocolate pudding.

    Although any day is chocolate pudding day in my house!

    vegan traditional chocolate pudding
    Chilled chocolate pudding served with vegan cream and frozen raspberries.

    I use frozen as my kids love them served that way.

    Taste like mini ice-pops.

    So refreshing!

    Vegan Chocolate Custard Pudding Recipe Notes

    How do I store leftover chocolate custard pudding?


    Leftover chocolate custard pudding can be stored in the fridge for 3-4 days. If storing fro more than a day cover the dishes of pudding to prevent other strong flavoured food from affecting the pudding.

    What can I serve with chocolate custard pudding?


    A few suggestions:

    Serve the pudding on its own or with a drizzle of vegan cream or dollop of vegan whipped cream or yogurt.

    A scoop of vegan ice-cream is my kids favourite accompaniment to chocolate pudding.

    Serve with fresh or frozen berries. Or a home made berry coulis/sauce.

    Slices of ripe banana or mango are an especially tasty accompaniment.

    Shreds of dried coconut or a sprinkle of desiccated coconut.

    Chocolate shards, grated chocolate, chocolate drops or buttons (vegan of course!)

    Chopped nuts.

    A vegan crunchy Scottish shortbread biscuit. Such as these
    crunchy vegan Scottish shortbread biscuits (cookies)

    Can I use this custard pudding recipe to prepare chocolate custard for pouring over cake or traybakes?


    Of course.

    Reduce the amount of custard powder to 3 tablespoons and use 450ml or about 2 cups of plant milk, more if required to thin out. Also reduce the sugar to 3 tablespoons.

    Prepare the custard as per the instructions below in the recipe card.

    Chocolate custard is especially tasty with a square of traditional jam and coconut sponge, which is an old school dinners British favourite.

    More Vegan Traditional Pudding Recipes:

    Old School Chocolate Sponge Pudding (with a chocolate ganache)

    Traditional British Eve's Pudding (stewed apples with a cinnamon-lemon flavoured sponge topping)

    Pineapple custard Tart

    British Semolina Pudding

    Slow Cooker Rice Pudding

    vegan chocolate custard pudding served in small glass dish with cream and raspberries, pink spoon and pink mat.

    Vegan Chocolate Custard Pudding

    Print Recipe
    This decadent chocolate pudding is super quick, easy and budget-friendly dessert.
    Easily ready in less than 20 minutes and enjoyed hot or chilled for later.
    So chocolatey and fresh it is perfect served with fresh or frozen berries.
    Or pack it into little reusable pots and enjoy with a pack-lunch or picnic.
    Course Dessert, pudding, Snack
    Cuisine British
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 10 mins
    Total Time 20 mins
    Servings 4
    Calories 207
    Author Jacq

    Equipment

    • non-stick saucepan
    • 4 ramekins/small pudding bowls or similar size dishes for desserts
    • sieve (only really required if custard powder or cocoa powder has lumps)

    Ingredients

    • 6 tablespoon custard powder I use the Birds brand which is commonly found in UK supermarkets. In the US Walmart stocks this brand.
    • 3 tablespoon cocoa powder
    • 5 tablespoon granulated sugar Or less or more depending on how sweet you prefer the pudding.
    • 570 millilitres soya milk
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla essence
    Metric - US Customary

    Instructions

    • Sieve custard powder, cocoa powder and sugar together.
    • Although if your custard powder and cocoa powder are not lumpy then this step can be omitted and the ingredients just mixed well together.
    • Tip into a saucepan.
      Add 8 tablespoons of plant milk.
      Mix well to a smooth paste.
    • Over a low-medium heat begin adding the rest of the plant milk a little at a time and whisking with a fork or spoon to avoid lumps.
      Add vanilla and stir.
    • Bring to a simmer, stirring all the time.
      The custard will get suddenly lumpier as it heats so stirring is needed.
    • Once simmering lower the heat and stir for a 1-2 minutes or until the custard thickens.
      Keep stirring as the custard will be thin one moment and thick the next!
    • Once the chocolate pudding is at the desired consistency (it will become thicker as it cools) remove from the heat and scoop into serving dishes.
    • For a chocolate pouring custard perhaps to accompany a different dessert simply add a little extra plant milk and stir well to thin the pudding into more of a pouring custard.
    • Chocolate pudding will continue to thicken off the heat and will set quickly so place into serving dishes immediately.
      Enjoy warm or once cool place in the fridge until chilled.

    Notes

    • Nutritional data is for guidance only and is not a strict calculation as ingredients vary.
    • Store chocolate pudding in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
    • If keeping in the fridge for a few days its best to add a cover to the ramekins/dishes to prevent taking on different tastes from other food in the refrigerator.
    • Small reusable tubs are ideal for storing chocolate pudding in and enjoying with school, college or work pack lunches. A great money saver.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 207kcal | Carbohydrates: 38g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 57mg | Sodium: 116mg | Potassium: 349mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 16g | Vitamin A: 342IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 232mg | Iron: 2mg

    More Vegan Puddings And Desserts

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      Microwave Scottish Clootie Dumpling [Vegan]
    • Close up of vegan slow cooker Christmas pudding on a festive plate and a red circular serving tray.
      Slow Cooker Christmas Pudding [Vegan]
    • English Winter Dried Fruit Crumble [vegan]
    • a
      Slow Cooker Steamed Jam Pudding

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Anjali

      June 02, 2021 at 10:20 pm

      5 stars
      This was such an easy vegan dessert!! We made this with my kids last night and they gobbled it up!

      Reply
      • Jacq

        June 03, 2021 at 11:10 pm

        Sounds like you all had a great time! And so glad you enjoyed the chocolate custard pudding 🙂

        Reply
    2. Kate

      May 05, 2021 at 12:07 pm

      5 stars
      SO gorgeous! Birds Custard Powder is one of my favourite 'accidentally vegan' treats - love the addition of chocolate for a properly decadent dessert!

      Reply
      • Jacq

        May 18, 2021 at 1:21 pm

        Thanks. So glad you enjoyed. The simple traditional puddings are always the best!

        Reply
    3. veenaazmanov

      May 05, 2021 at 11:00 am

      5 stars
      This is such an easy and quick dessert. Chocolate will surely enhance the custard flavor to another level. Perfect dessert for a family treat.

      Reply
      • Jacq

        May 22, 2021 at 10:23 am

        I agree! Chocolate definitely enhances the custard flavour! This custard dessert is especially good packed in little reusable pots and included with a packed lunch for work or school 🙂

        Reply
    4. Dannii

      May 05, 2021 at 10:02 am

      5 stars
      This looks so rich and delicious. Even better that it is vegan too!

      Reply
      • Jacq

        May 06, 2021 at 7:31 pm

        Thanks! I agree these little chocolate pots are so rich and tasty. Thanks for stopping by 🙂

        Reply
    5. Beth

      May 05, 2021 at 9:51 am

      5 stars
      Such a delicious chocolate pudding - the kids loved it!

      Reply
      • Jacq

        May 07, 2021 at 10:17 am

        So glad the kids loved it! 🙂

        Reply
    6. Saif

      May 05, 2021 at 9:34 am

      5 stars
      I love chocolate pudding. I can tell it's moist and creamy. And the best part that it is vegan too.

      Reply
      • Jacq

        May 19, 2021 at 9:20 am

        I totally agree! The best thing is that this chocolate custard pudding is vegan! And chocolatey, creamy and fresh 🙂

        Reply

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