If you’re craving a dessert that wraps the rich indulgence of chocolate around the zesty brightness of orange, you’re going to fall head over heels for this Slow Cooker Chocolate Orange Pudding Recipe. It’s the kind of comforting, gooey pudding that feels like a warm hug on a chilly evening, yet elegant enough to wow your family or guests. The magic lies in slow cooking, which lets every bite soak in those deep cocoa and fresh orange flavors, creating a tender, moist pudding that melts in your mouth. Plus, it’s incredibly simple to make, turning your slow cooker into a dessert wizard that does all the work while you relax.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The image shows baking ingredients arranged on a white marbled surface. There are three brown eggs in a white bowl at the top center. To the left, a cream-colored jug with colorful dots holds milk. Below it is an open container filled with dark brown cocoa powder. At the center, an uncovered bright orange wrapped in netting adds color. Below it, a small heart-shaped white dish contains some white powder, likely baking soda or baking powder. To the right of the orange, a white bowl is filled with light brown sugar, showing a soft, crumbly texture. At the bottom left, another white bowl holds white flour with a soft, powdery texture. Lastly, at the bottom right, a white bowl contains a block of pale yellow butter. The setup is neat and light, with all bowls and containers being white. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Gathering the right ingredients for this recipe is a breeze, and each one plays a vital role in crafting that perfect balance between rich chocolate and bright citrus. From the softness of the butter to the punch of cocoa and the unmistakable aroma of orange extract, every component contributes to an irresistible pudding texture and flavor.

Unsalted butter: Needed both for greasing and melting to add richness and moisture without overpowering with saltiness.
Self-raising flour: Provides the structure and lightness that helps the pudding rise beautifully in the slow cooker.
Soft light brown sugar: Adds caramel notes and a gentle sweetness that complements the chocolate and orange perfectly.
Good quality cocoa powder: Brings deep chocolate flavor and a slightly bitter edge to balance the sweetness.
Baking powder: Ensures the pudding has a lovely tender crumb and doesn’t turn out too dense.
Eggs: Bind the ingredients and create a smooth, custardy texture inside the pudding.
Milk (whole or semi-skimmed): Adds moisture and richness, making the pudding gorgeously soft.
Orange extract: The star flavoring that infuses the pudding with fresh citrus zing without overpowering it.
Terry’s Chocolate Orange (or other orange-flavored chocolate): Chopped to give bursts of melty chocolate and orange surprise throughout the pudding.
Boiling water: Creates that delicious sauce layer on top, soaking into the pudding to keep it moist and luscious.

How to Make Slow Cooker Chocolate Orange Pudding Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the slow cooker

Start by greasing your slow cooker bowl thoroughly with the room-temperature unsalted butter. This step is crucial to prevent the pudding from sticking and makes sure you can serve it up beautifully without any hassle.

Step 2: Mix the pudding batter

In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter, self-raising flour, soft light brown sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, eggs, milk, and orange extract. Stir until you get a smooth and silky batter. This mixture is already smelling like a dream. Fold in most of your roughly chopped Chocolate Orange pieces, pressing them gently into the batter—these chunks are going to create delightful pockets of gooey chocolate in every bite.

Step 3: Add the topping

In a small bowl, mix together the soft light brown sugar and cocoa powder for the topping. Sprinkle this evenly over the pudding batter in the slow cooker to add an extra layer of rich chocolate flavor and a subtle sweetness that caramelizes beautifully as it cooks.

Step 4: Pour over the boiling water

Carefully pour the boiling water over your pudding mixture and topping. Don’t worry if it looks a little strange now; this step is what creates that indulgent sauce underneath. Put the lid on your slow cooker and cook on HIGH for 1 to 2 hours until the pudding is firm in the center but still wonderfully moist.

Step 5: Final touches and cooking

Once the pudding is initially cooked, take off the lid and adorn the top with the reserved Chocolate Orange segments for a beautiful, decorative finish. Put the lid back on and let it cook for an additional 30 minutes. This step melds the chocolate orange pieces nicely into the top layer, making the pudding even more irresistible.

How to Serve Slow Cooker Chocolate Orange Pudding Recipe

Inside a black pot, a dark brown thick sauce with a shiny, slightly wet texture fills most of the space. Floating in the sauce are four bright orange slices that look soft and glossy, arranged unevenly with some partially submerged. A long, thin silver spoon rests diagonally inside the pot, its bowl covered with the dark sauce, reflecting light and showing small uneven clumps in the sauce. The pot sits on a white marbled surface, and a corner of a red and white striped cloth is partly visible at the bottom right. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

Serve with a dollop of freshly whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream to add a cool, creamy contrast to the warm pudding. A sprinkle of finely grated orange zest can also add a fresh pop of citrus aroma that brightens every forkful.

Side Dishes

This pudding pairs beautifully with a simple cup of strong coffee or a glass of dessert wine. For something more indulgent, offer a small bowl of custard to spoon over the top, enhancing the pudding’s soft texture with its silky richness.

Creative Ways to Present

Impress guests by serving individual portions in ramekins straight from the slow cooker, decorated with extra chocolate orange shards and orange zest curls. Alternatively, you can scoop the pudding into a pretty trifle bowl layered with whipped cream and orange segments for a festive twist.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover pudding in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. The pudding’s flavors actually deepen overnight, making it even better the next day.

Freezing

You can freeze leftover pudding in portions by wrapping them tightly in plastic wrap and placing them in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to one month. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Reheating

Reheat pudding portions in the microwave for about 1 to 2 minutes or until warmed through. You can serve it warm or enjoy it cold, both ways are delicious and satisfying.

FAQs

Can I use regular chocolate instead of orange-flavored chocolate?

Absolutely, but keep in mind the orange-flavored chocolate is key to giving this pudding its signature citrus twist. If you use regular chocolate, you might want to add a little extra orange extract to preserve the flavor balance.

What if I don’t have a slow cooker? Can I make this in the oven?

You can! Simply prepare the batter the same way and bake it in a shallow baking dish covered with foil at 160℃/320℉ fan or 180℃/350℉ for 30 to 40 minutes. Just keep an eye on the texture so it doesn’t dry out.

Is it possible to make this pudding dairy-free?

Yes, swap the butter for a plant-based alternative and use your favorite non-dairy milk. Choose a cocoa powder and chocolate that are dairy-free. The pudding will still be wonderfully rich and satisfying.

How do I know when the pudding is cooked?

The pudding is ready when the center feels set and springy to the touch. Insert a skewer into the middle—it should come out mostly clean with maybe a few moist crumbs, but not wet batter.

Can I add nuts or other mix-ins to the pudding?

Definitely. Chopped nuts like walnuts or hazelnuts would add a lovely crunch that complements the soft pudding. Just fold them into the batter before cooking for an extra layer of texture and flavor.

Final Thoughts

There’s something truly special about a dessert that’s easy to make, packed with flavor, and feels like a comforting treat every single time. This Slow Cooker Chocolate Orange Pudding Recipe hits all those marks and more. I promise once you give it a try, it’ll become one of your favorite go-to puddings for chilly evenings, family dinners, or whenever you just need a little chocolate-orange magic in your life. So grab your slow cooker, your favorite chocolate orange, and dive into this wonderfully cozy dessert experience—it’s absolutely worth it.