Pudding is awesome. Any questions? No? Ok, that’s the end of today’s blog post.
Ok fine we can do a recipe. I always thought that all the Jello products ( jello and pudding) were just thickened with weird gums and stuff. It was a crazy discovery to learn that the main ingredient was actually a really healing food; Gelatin! Seriously, I think I was 14 before I learned where gelatin came from. Once I got over the weirdness of it, I started having so much fun creating my own healthy gelatin desserts.
Now I am not here to criticize the customary paleo pudding made with avocado and bananas, but at some point you’re eating chocolate banana guacamole, and it’s just not that creamy, cool pudding of yesteryear when pudding came from a box. So let’s get traditional and create something that is actually pudding.
What’s the secret to awesome pudding? Gelatin, of course. There is only 1-1/2 tablespoons of it in this recipe, but it’s enough to transform chocolate coconut milk into a rich and silky dessert worth serving to company.
Or you can eat it all yourself; I’m not judging.
- 14 oz. (1 can) [url href=”http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00JB2QS7C/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00JB2QS7C&linkCode=as2&tag=coituppa-20&linkId=TN5NZOLS5K2IDCXZ” target=”_blank”]full-fat coconut milk[/url]
- 1-1/2 tablespoons [url href=”http://www.vitalproteins.com/collagen/pasture-raised-collagen-protein-gelatin.html?acc=82aa4b0af34c2313a562076992e50aa3″ target=”_blank”]unflavored gelatin[/url]
- 1/2 cup [url href=”http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0012BXTU4/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0012BXTU4&linkCode=as2&tag=coituppa-20&linkId=CXFYRC4PCOBTWNMS” target=”_blank”]cocoa powder[/url] or [url href=”http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001E5E0Y2/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001E5E0Y2&linkCode=as2&tag=coituppa-20&linkId=DOGIB7YJSP6YOXUO” target=”_blank”]raw cacao powder[/url]
- 1/4 cup [url href=”http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000Z93FQC/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000Z93FQC&linkCode=as2&tag=coituppa-20&linkId=UBQDI7ES53JXSQUU” target=”_blank”]honey[/url] or [url href=”http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005P0LW66/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B005P0LW66&linkCode=as2&tag=coituppa-20&linkId=D7GSSE5LNQTU6ATN” target=”_blank”]maple syrup[/url] (or stevia to taste for low-carb)
- 1 teaspoon [url href=”http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002UN7PI/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0002UN7PI&linkCode=as2&tag=coituppa-20&linkId=RGYCSG2JHJ3O7YVC” target=”_blank”]vanilla extract[/url]
- Pinch [url href=”http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000E6BRUW/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000E6BRUW&linkCode=as2&tag=coituppa-20&linkId=KD7JGFHPBCFVPNDP” target=”_blank”]salt[/url]
- In a small bowl, combine 2 tablespoons of the coconut milk with the gelatin and set aside.
- In a medium saucepan, whisk together the rest of the coconut milk with the remaining ingredients until smooth.
- Bring to a boil, remove from heat, and whisk in the gelatin mixture.
- Pour into serving dish and chill for several hours, or until thickened and creamy. May need to stir a couple times.
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Shared at Allergy-Free Wednesday and Fat Tuesday
Wow, this looks great! I’ve been searching for a chocolate pudding that doesn’t have avocado or banana. As I’ve recently gone Paleo and am LOVING it! Can’t wait to try your recipe.
Just made this. Excellent! I used a heaping ¼ cup of erythritol and about 20 drops TJ liquid stevia. So, really no carbs and lots fiber. oh yeah, I also added about 3Tbsp of cream. Super yum
I was so looking forward to enjoying this after I made it and it is probably operator error, but after my pudding was chilled for a few hours it was like rock solid thicker then jello type consistancy. It was that normal pudding consistancy we all know and love. Any idea what I did wrong?? Hoping to try again soonand was going to reduce the amount gelatin. Thank you for your help and hope I can get it right this next time. 🙂
I know a couple people said they had to stir in some almond milk to get the right consistency.
We can’t do coconut in my house. What would be a good sub for coconut in this recipe?
Almond milk might work
I just put this in the refrigerator and cannot wait to enjoy tomorrow. I have been craving chocolate pudding with this pregnancy and wanted a healthier option. I also didn’t want to do an avocado one since they always turn out lumpy for me.
Also, I bet this would be amazing as a hot cooca base if you remove the gelatin and add collagen peptides. Then top with warm milk of choice to desired chocolate strength.
I am really impressed with the professionalism of your blog and the quality of your recipes. You are beyond your years in experience!! I was sooooo hoping to find a gelatin- based pudding…I mean, why NOT gelatin Paleos?? I’m making this tonight for my three year old to enjoy. Thank you!
Thanks for your kind words!! Hope you enjoy the pudding recipe!
This is fantastic! Almost mousse like!
So glad you liked it!!
Thank you Heather for sharing your love of food, science and wholesome living. You are truly an inspiration to this grandma! Recently I made your chocolate pudding recipe with very good results! It was rich, thick and creamy, yet without all the belly aches! As I am new to cooking with gelatin, will you be so kind as to help me with a couple of concerns? When I combined the two tablespoons of coconut milk with the suggested amount of gelatin, the mixture was super crumbly. Is that normal?! As I mentioned, the taste and texture was AMAZING- yet there were a few tiny “clumps” (undisolved geletin perhaps)? I am sure your recipe is flawless and my issues can be attributed to operator failure!! Therefore I am rating this recipe with five stars and encourage all readers to give it a try. Again, thank you for sharing.
Shirley
Thanks so much for your kind words, Shirley!
The gelatin mixture is usually a bit crumbly; it takes a good bit of whisking to get it incorporated into the pudding. You could add a bit more coconut milk to the gelatin mixture to fix that 🙂
How are you so young and yet so awesome at this!? Your recipes look great & I cannot wait to try them. I have not been this excited about signing up for a newsletter in a LONG time. keep up the good work – you’re such an inspiration! 🙂
Aww thank you Valorie!
I just saw your post today and could not wait to try this pudding…it was delicious! I used cacao powder and maple syrup.
great recipe!
I have a question about the 1 1/2 tablespoons of gelatin. I used Great Lakes (the red can) and my pudding was very thick. I was just wondering if you have used this brand and if the measurements are the same for all brands.
Thank you for sharing this wonderful and easy recipe!
June
So glad you liked it June! I have used that brand before, and while I prefer the taste of Vital Proteins, they should all thicken similarly. Could be the size of your tablespoon, the thickness of your coconut milk, or something like that. Also, my family really likes their pudding thick. I think if you decreased it to 1 tablespoon it would be perfect for you.
When you say “may need to be stirred,” how do I know whether to stir or not?
Thanks for the recipe! I can’t wait to try it. I just couldn’t get past the idea of chocolate banana guacamole; I’m glad someone had the courage to call a spade a spade! 🙂
Hi Molly, usually stir it to prevent a skin on top and to help it firm up more evenly.
When I saw the title of this post, I was so hoping you used gelatin!!
Yay for gelatin!!!!
This looks delicious! Especially because it doesn’t have avocado, which is high fodmap and thus have to avoid. Can’t wait to try this. I bet it would be tasty with carob powder too!