Italian chocolate budino recipe

Learn how to make authentic Italian chocolate budino, the silky homemade pudding many Italians grew up with.

A DESSERT WORTH STIRRING FOR

Some recipes ask for patience.

This one asks for music.

Making Italian chocolate budino means standing by the stove, whisking continuously for ten or fifteen minutes until milk, chocolate, butter, and flour become perfectly smooth and velvety.

So put on your favorite playlist.

Dance a little.

Sing if you feel like it.

By the time the fourth song is over, dessert will probably be ready.

chocolate Italian budino recipe

WHAT IS ITALIAN BUDINO?

Budino is one of Italy’s classic dolci al cucchiaio—desserts eaten with a spoon.

Unlike many modern puddings, the traditional version is made from simple pantry ingredients: milk, sugar, flour, butter, eggs, and chocolate or vanilla.

No instant mixes.

No mysterious powders.

Just everyday ingredients transformed into something wonderfully comforting.

For many Italians, budino tastes unmistakably of childhood.

chocolate budino recipe from scratch

HOW TO MAKE CHOCOLATE BUDINO

The recipe itself is simple.

The only real challenge is avoiding lumps.

The secret is to whisk constantly while the mixture slowly comes to a boil, then continue stirring for another couple of minutes until it becomes glossy and silky.

Once poured into little glasses or jars, all that’s left to do is wait for it to chill in the refrigerator.

Serve it cold, straight from the fridge.

Print

Italian chocolate budino recipe

Course Dessert
Cuisine Italian
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Resting time in the refrigerator 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 25 minutes
Servings 6 jars
Author Claudia Rinaldi | Gourmet Project

Ingredients

  • 4 cups cow milk - room temperature 1 lt - 34 oz
  • 2.8 oz brown sugar 80 gr - 1/3 cup + 1 tbsp + 1 tsp
  • 2.8 oz butter 80 gr - about 1/3 cup
  • 2.8 oz 70% dark chocolate 80 gr
  • 1 egg
  • 2.8 oz of 00 flour 80 gr - 1/3 cup + 1 tbsp + 2 tsp

Instructions

  1. Water bath chocolate until creamy and set it aside.

  2. Cut the butter into small pieces, add sugar and use a mixer to amalgamate until creamy.

  3. Add the egg, chocolate, and flour, still mixing energetically.

  4. Add milk, a little at the time, while still mixing.

  5. Take your trustworthy whisk, put on a playlist you like - a lot -, and get ready for a bit of exercise.

  6. Pour the mixture into a pot and cook over medium heat.

  7. Bring to a boil, whisking uninterruptedly - that's why you need good music in the background! It will take you ten to fifteen minutes, about four songs.

  8. Stir two more minutes after boiling and remove the pot from heat.

  9. Wait a few minutes for the temperature to decrease and pour the mixture into glass jars or budino (cupcakes or whatever) molds. I like the jars.
  10. When the mixture reaches room temperature, refrigerate a few hours before serving your delicious, mouthwatering and smooth budini.

FROM ITALIAN COLORS

Here’s another little taste of Italian childhood.

Kinder Eggs are the chocolate eggs almost every Italian child receives at Easter. One piece somehow becomes two, then three… until someone wisely decides to hide the rest.

If you’d like more Italian words, memories, traditions, and recipes, Italian Colors arrives every week in your inbox.

Enjoy your Italian chocolate budino!

Claudia