No-Bake Chocolate Custard Delight

A silky, creamy dessert with deep chocolate flavor

Why You’ll Love This Dessert

No baking required – perfect for warm days
Smooth and custardy with a luxurious mouthfeel
Easy ingredients you likely already have
Great for make-ahead dinners or celebrations

Preparation Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Chilling Time: 2–4 hours
Total Time: About 2½–4½ hours
Servings: 6–8

Ingredients

For the Chocolate Custard

2 cups whole milk
½ cup heavy cream
½ cup granulated sugar
3 tablespoons cornstarch
¼ teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
120 g (4 oz) dark chocolate, finely chopped
2 large egg yolks
1½ teaspoons vanilla extract
1 tablespoon butter (optional, for extra silkiness)

Optional Toppings (Highly Recommended!)

Whipped cream
Chocolate shavings or curls
Cocoa powder (for dusting)
Fresh berries
Crushed biscuits or cookies

Prepare the Custard Base

In a medium saucepan (off the heat), whisk together:

Sugar
Cornstarch
Cocoa powder
Salt

This step ensures there are no lumps later, so take your time whisking.

Add the Dairy

Slowly pour in the milk and cream while whisking constantly.
Keep whisking until the mixture is completely smooth and glossy.

Temper the Egg Yolks

In a small bowl:

Lightly whisk the egg yolks

Now, very slowly add ½ cup of the chocolate milk mixture into the yolks while whisking continuously.
This prevents the eggs from scrambling.

Once tempered, pour the yolk mixture back into the saucepan.

Cook the Custard

Place the saucepan over medium heat.

Stir constantly with a whisk or silicone spatula
After 5–7 minutes, the mixture will thicken noticeably
Cook until it reaches a pudding-like consistency

The custard should coat the back of a spoon.

Add Chocolate & Finish

Remove the pan from heat and immediately add:

Chopped dark chocolate
Butter (if using)
Vanilla extract

Stir gently until everything melts into a smooth, shiny custard.

Assemble & Chill

Pour the custard into serving glasses or a large bowl
Smooth the tops with a spoon
Cover with plastic wrap directly touching the surface (prevents skin)

Refrigerate for at least 2–4 hours, until fully set.

Serving Suggestions

Before serving, add your favorite toppings:

A swirl of whipped cream
Chocolate shavings for elegance
A light dusting of cocoa powder

Serve chilled for the best texture and flavor.

Pro Tips for Perfect Custard

Use high-quality chocolate—it makes a big difference
Stir constantly while cooking to avoid scorching
For extra richness, replace ¼ cup of milk with more cream
Want it sweeter? Add 1–2 tablespoons extra sugar

Variations You Can Try

Mocha Custard: Add 1 teaspoon instant coffee
Orange Chocolate: Stir in ½ teaspoon orange zest
Dairy-Free: Use almond milk + coconut cream + dairy-free chocolate

Final Thoughts

This No-Bake Chocolate Custard Delight is smooth, indulgent, and comforting—perfect for both casual nights and special occasions. Once you make it, it’s guaranteed to become a repeat favorite.

If you’d like, I can also:

Turn this into a layered dessert
Create a vegan version
Format it for a recipe card or blog post