Making creamy chocolate pudding cups is easier than you might think. Follow these simple steps to achieve a dessert that’s both quick and delicious.

1. Prepare the Dry Ingredients: In a medium saucepan, combine the granulated sugar, cocoa powder, cornstarch, and salt. Whisk the ingredients together until they are well blended and free of lumps.
2. Add Milk: Gradually whisk in the whole milk. It’s important to add the milk slowly while whisking continuously to prevent lumps from forming.
3. Cook the Mixture: Place the saucepan over medium heat. Cook the mixture while stirring constantly. This will prevent the pudding from sticking to the bottom of the pan and forming a skin.
4. Thicken the Pudding: Continue to cook and stir until the mixture thickens and comes to a gentle boil. This should take about 8-10 minutes. Once it reaches the desired thickness, remove it from the heat.
5. Add Chocolate and Butter: Stir in the vanilla extract, unsalted butter, and semi-sweet chocolate chips. Mix until the butter and chocolate are melted and the mixture is smooth and creamy.
6. Cool the Pudding: Pour the pudding into individual serving cups or bowls. Cover each cup with plastic wrap, pressing the wrap directly onto the surface of the pudding to prevent a skin from forming. Allow the pudding to cool at room temperature for about 30 minutes.
7. Chill: Transfer the pudding cups to the refrigerator and chill for at least 2 hours before serving. The chilling process allows the pudding to set and develop its creamy texture.