While puddings originally referred to meat products (hence black pudding, also known as black sausage or blood sausage), over time, the name evolved to include both sweet and savoury foods. As early as 1730, a recipe for chocolate pudding appeared in Charles Carter’s The Complete Practical Cook. It featured ginger, nutmeg and cinnamon, and was almost Nigella-like in its lyricism: “put in a little Citron minc’d; mingle it mighty well together.”
In the 19th century, a company called Bird’s began selling commercial custard powder in the US, and referred to a recipe for chocolate custard as ‘pudding’. The name stuck, and if you’re offered pudding in the States today, you’ll likely be served a silky bowl of decadent chocolate mousse.
And as for that Australian winter favourite, the self-saucing pudding, a feat of chemistry and sheer magic, its origins are unclear, but its deliciousness is not. We just feel sorry for the Americans, who think that chocolate pudding begins and ends with mousse.
Chocolate nirvana here we come...
If you want… an Australian-style chocolate pudding
There isn’t a single person on the planet who doesn’t love breaking through the lightest of cake crusts into a warm, gooey pot of chocolate.
Source: Poh & Co.
Unbelievably quick and easy choccy puds fit for weeknight dessert or a fancy dinner party.
Source: Michele Curtis
These little chocolate cakes cook very quickly to retain an oozy, almost uncooked centre.
Source: Hardie Grant
Being able to see the distinct layers through the glass just adds to the wonder…
Chocolate self-saucing pudding jars Source: Alan Benson
With its coffee-like aroma, wattleseed is an ideal accompaniment to chocolate and works wonderfully in this self-saucing pudding.
Source: Derek Swalwell
Chestnut flour makes these little puddings seem even more chocolatey! Who knew that could be possible...
Source: Bloomsbury
If you want… an American-style, mousse-like chocolate pudding
This classic dessert from the south-west of France layers the macarons with chocolate mousse, which was once only a speciality of French restaurants.
Chocolate pots.
The chilli in this hug in a cup will warm you up from the inside-out.
This delectable sweet pudding is made with a custard base and good, bitter chocolate.
Chocolate and frangelico custard Source: Alan Benson
This wickedly rich dessert teams dark chocolate with bittersweet butterscotch and a dash of whisky.
Whisky pots with treacle butterscotch Source: Alan Benson
If you want… to try something a little different
Little balls of chocolate heaven for true chocoholics.
Chocolate for breakfast? Yes! Try this traditional tsamporado from the Philippines.
Tsamporado is often enjoyed for breakfast. Source: Ben Dearnley
Raspberries add a perfect little hit of brightness and zing to these rich and fudgy chocolate puddings. They work ideally as individual desserts, served warm with double cream and have your friends over for dessert, we promise!
Fudgy chocolate puddings with raspberries Source: Donna Hay
