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Easy Chocolate Budino with Candied Maple Walnuts

This impressive but easy Chocolate Budino is a creamy Italian-inspired dessert that takes pudding to a whole new level. You'll fall in love with the first silky smooth bite!

Course Dessert
Cuisine Italian
Keyword Chocolate Budino, Easy Chocolate Budino
Prep Time 45 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings 8
Calories 406 kcal
Author Chris Scheuer

Ingredients

For the budino:

  • 6 large egg yolks
  • 2 cups heavy cream or half and half
  • cup sugar
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 8 ounces bittersweet or semisweet chocolate see Café Tips
  • whipped cream for serving

For the candied walnuts:

  • 1 tablespoon melted butter
  • ¼ cup pure maple syrup
  • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 cup coarsely chopped walnuts

Instructions

For the budino:

  1. Break up the chocolate into smaller pieces if using bars. Set aside near the stove.

  2. In a medium-size bowl, whisk the egg yolks together vigorously. Set aside near the stove.

  3. Bring cream (or half and half), sugar and salt to a bare simmer in a large saucepan and remove from heat.

  4. Very s-l-o-w-l-y drizzle about half of the cream mixture into the beaten egg yolks, constantly whisking the yolks as you drizzle.
  5. Slowly pour the egg yolk mixture back into the pot while stirring.
  6. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly with a heatproof rubber spatula and making sure to get into the corners of the pan until a candy thermometer or an instant-read thermometer registers 175°F. I recommend using a thermometer but if you don’t have one, the custard should be thick enough to coat a spoon. Don’t let it simmer or allow the thermometer to go above 180°F.
  7. Turn off the heat and add the chocolate, letting it sit until the chocolate is melted. Whisk the mixture well until all of the chocolate is incorporated.

For the candied walnuts:

  1. Preheat the oven to 325˚F. Line a sheet pan with foil and spray with nonstick spray. Lay a large piece of parchment paper out on a work surface.
  2. Combine the melted butter, maple syrup and salt in a medium-size bowl. Add the walnuts and stir well to coat.
  3. Turn the walnuts (and all of the butter/maple mixture) out onto the prepared baking sheet and spread to an even layer.
  4. Bake for 12-16 minutes or until nicely golden, stirring every 5 minutes to redistribute and redcoat.

  5. Transfer the walnuts to the prepared parchment paper, working quickly to spread the nuts apart. Allow to cool completely then store in an airtight container.

Recipe Notes

See Café Tips above in the post for more detailed instructions and Tips.

Adapted from Bon Appétit

Nutrition Facts
Easy Chocolate Budino with Candied Maple Walnuts
Amount Per Serving
Calories 406 Calories from Fat 252
% Daily Value*
Fat 28g43%
Saturated Fat 13g81%
Trans Fat 1g
Cholesterol 174mg58%
Sodium 266mg12%
Potassium 310mg9%
Carbohydrates 34g11%
Fiber 3g13%
Sugar 25g28%
Protein 7g14%
Vitamin A 468IU9%
Vitamin C 1mg1%
Calcium 117mg12%
Iron 2mg11%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.