The Best Chocolate Pudding Recipe That Is Autism Friendly
If you are looking for a dessert that is not only delicious but also perfect for sensory sensitive eaters, this chocolate pudding recipe that is autism friendly is a total game changer.
It is rich, smooth, and made with love for those who need a little extra consideration at the dinner table.
Trust me, as a mom with an autistic child, I know how important it is to have recipes that work for everyone.
Why I Needed a Recipe That Is Autism Friendly
Food has always been a challenge in my household. My child, who is autistic, struggled with eating from a young age. They would refuse almost everything except apples, and it became a serious concern.
I know I need to find recipes that is autism friendly, offering familiar textures and comforting flavors while still packing in good nutrition.
This chocolate pudding recipe that is autism friendly became one of the first recipes I could successfully introduce.
The smooth, silky consistency was key – it did not trigger any texture aversions.
Plus, it is a treat that feels indulgent while being simple enough to make anytime.
Why A Recipe That is Autism Friendly Matters
Autistic individuals often have sensory sensitivities that make eating difficult. Textures, smells, and even how food looks can create barriers.
A recipes that is autism friendly is designed with these sensitivities in mind, offering predictable, consistent textures and flavors.
For my child, having a recipe that is autism friendly like this chocolate pudding means they can enjoy a dessert without any stress or sensory discomfort.
That is why I focus on a no texture recipe that is autism friendly and feels safe and comforting.
The Struggle with ARFID
My child was diagnosed with Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID), which is common among autistic individuals.
ARFID goes beyond picky eating – it is about severe food restrictions that can lead to nutritional deficiencies. This diagnosis made me realize how essential it is to create a recipe that is autism friendly, ensuring my child could eat without anxiety or fear.
This chocolate pudding recipe that is autism friendly became a staple for us during our ARFID journey. It was calorie dense, easy to eat, and did not overwhelm my child with sensory input.
How Food Therapy Helped Us Create Recipes That Are Autism Friendly
Food therapy was another major milestone for us. It taught me to introduce new foods gently, focusing on textures and flavors that my child could tolerate.
A simple recipes that is autism friendly, like this pudding, became a part of our therapy toolkit. The process was not easy, but it was worth it to see my child enjoy meals again.
If you are struggling with similar challenges, I encourage you to explore food therapy and try at least 1 recipe that is autism friendly to see what works best for your family.
Why This Chocolate Pudding Stands Out
This chocolate pudding recipe that is autism friendly is a win for so many reasons:
- Sensory-Friendly: It is smooth, with no unexpected lumps.
- Simple: Just three ingredients.
- Customizable: You can adjust the sweetness or even make it vegan.
Whether you’re dealing with picky eating, sensory aversions, or ARFID, having a recipe that is autism friendly like this one can make a huge difference.
Tips for Parents
Creating a recipe that is autism friendly requires patience and creativity.
Remember, not every food will be a hit, and that is okay. Start with small wins, like this chocolate pudding, and gradually expand your child’s comfort zone.
If you are looking for more inspiration, here are some other recipe that is autism friendly:
- Best custard recipe that is autism friendly
- Hummus dip for Picky Eaters
- Tomato Lentil soup for picky child
- No Texture Vegan soup for Picky Eaters
- Summer drinks for picky eater
This chocolate pudding recipe that is autism friendly has been a lifesaver for my family. It is simple to make, a joy to eat, and most importantly, it is a food my child genuinely enjoys. I hope it becomes a favorite in your home too!
Lets Get Started!
Ingredients for Chocolate Pudding
- 2 Cups Milk
- 2 Tbsp Cornstarch
- 4 or 5 Squares of Chocolate (Dark, Milk, White)
- Whipping Cream (optional)
- Double Cream (Optional)
To Begin
Start by setting aside 100 ml of the milk in a glass.
Heat the remainder of the milk in a pot over medium heat.
Once it has been heated to the point where you see slight bubbles on the edges of the milk, it becomes time to add in the chocolate squares.
If you have a small coffee whisk then that is what I prefer to use.
You can also use a large whisk.
These work best for mixing a recipe that is autism friendly because we are trying to make sure that there are not bits left.
Or you can just use a fork. Whatever works for you.
Make sure to keep stirring and wait for the chocolate to have been completely incorporated into the milk.
All the bits should have been melted.
And it will make the process quicker if you cut the chocolate pieces into smaller pieces before heating them into the milk.
If you want to add some heavy cream, or double cream to this recipe, this would be the stage to add it in.
It will really help transform a basic custard to a smooth and creamy pudding.
If you ever want to, I would definitely recommend adding some heavy cream/double cream.
Anyway,
Turn the heat to low and make the cornstarch mixture now.
Using the 100 ml milk you had set aside in the beginning add your cornstarch to that and stir it really well.
Make sure there are no lumps or bumps and really mix it well.
It is absolutely empirical that the milk which you mix the cornstarch into must be cold.
It really must be.
If it is warm then it will lump up and clump up and I do not think that would go well with any picky eater at all.
And it will be extremely difficult to try to whisk it out.
You will end up with a very sore arm and a lot of regret!
Now we put the Chocolate Pudding together
Turn up the heat a little bit to medium high
It is important to keep stirring the milk mixture.
Once you have added in the cornstarch mixture, do not stop mixing because it is at this point that the milk mixture might seriously stick together.
The way to really prevent lumps and clumps is to make sure you keep mixing regularly.
Once you have added this mixture, keep stirring but also keep the heat on medium high until it starts to thicken up.
When it has become nice and thick you can turn the heat to low.
KEEP STIRRING.
Do not forget this!
This is the kind of consistency you should want to try to achieve.
Even when the pudding is cooling down, do not forget to stir for another minute or two.
A mistake that a lot of people make when making recipes like this is that they stop stirring as soon as the heat is turned off.
This is a mistake and can cause the bottom to stick to the pan.
Then when you take it out to place in a bowl it will come off the as a lump.
This is no good.
You should wait for it to cool down a little bit before you add it into smaller bowls.
Wait for it to cool down a little bit in the bowl.
Storing the Chocolate Pudding
My recommendation is that you add a layer of cling film to the top of the pudding and lightly press down the cling film on the pudding.
This is to prevent a hard top from forming.
Unless you like a firmer shell on top of your chocolate pudding.
My child would never allow the different in consistency between the harder top and the softer pudding.
Cling film becomes a life saver in these circumstances.
I also recommend serving these cold.
Place the cooled down bowl in the fridge to serve cold for later.
Unless you enjoy warm pudding.
My Autistic child does not eat anything warm.
Always cold.
So thank God for the invention of the fridge.
Now, when you decide to serve the pudding, I like to add some whipped cream on top.
If you are not in favor of sweet. Then you can omit this.
Because while this recipe is a chocolate recipe it is not sweet.
Really, really not.
Unless you decide to add more chocolate to the milk than I did, in which case you might not have a need for the whipped cream.
But I find that it balances it out very nicely and adds a little extra to the final product.
Now you can sit and enjoy this amazing tasting chocolate pudding.
Disclaimer about Chocolate Pudding and Deserts
The reason why I have tried to introduce this type of desert for my child, as well as the custards which I have linked above is because my child is growing and needs the nutrition which milk brings, such as calcium.
Yes I know, spinach also contains a lot of calcium that is more easily absorbed into the body than milk.
However. God can only help you if you try to give my Autistic child spinach in any way, shape or form.
I have been advised and told that I need to incorporate more milk products into my child’s diet by his pediatrician.
You can read more about the benefits of incorporating milk into your own and your child’s diet here,“Milk: Its Remarkable Contribution to Human Health and Well-being”
My Autistic child is unwilling to drink milk or have any obvious milk products.
So I have tried to introduce it in forms of desert.
No, I do not give desert to my child all the time, nor do they survive on sugar.
But, realistically I do not think I can cut out all forms of sugar from their diet because they are given sugar at their grandparents and at school also.
It is kept minimal of course but I do not think there is anything wrong with some desert every once in a while.
This recipe actually does not contain any extra added sugar.
The only sugar in this recipe is from the chocolate squares that you have added into the milk.
Different types of milk for Chocolate Pudding
- Cows milk – Most common used milk and will make it taste how you imagine lol. Also, cows milk is the sweetest tasting of all the milks.
- Goats milk – Using goats milk will make the pudding taste slightly less creamy and a little more watered down.
- Sheep milk – WILL make this recipe taste very creamy and very rich.
Choose what you prefer!
Substitute Ingredients for Chocolate Pudding
Can this recipe be Vegan?
Yes, it absolutely can.
Use any Vegan milk alternative of your choice along with your favorite vegan chocolate.
- Almond Milk – Will make the Pudding taste slightly like nuts (Almonds)
- Soy milk – I do not like this milk at all and has a slight bitter aftertaste when heated.
- Cashew milk – Makes it slightly more buttery and less creamy
Omit the heavy cream/whipping cream and/or use Vegan whipping cream instead.
On a note to end this recipe that is autism friendly!
This chocolate pudding recipe that is autism friendly has been more than just a dessert for my family. It has been a bridge to making mealtime a more enjoyable and stress free experience.
It is proof that with the right approach and a little creativity, we can overcome some of the challenges of picky eating and sensory sensitivities and we can find a perfect recipe that is autism friendly for our autistic children.
This pudding is more than a treat; it is a small but meaningful victory in our ongoing journey with autism and food.
Whether you are a parent trying to find a recipe that is autism friendly that your child will eat or you are an autistic individual yourself, I hope this recipe brings the same joy and success to your table as it has to ours.