Name: Buffet Chocolate Fluffy Dessert
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 11 min
Total time: 21 min
Cuisine: dessert recipes, chocolate cream recipes, chocolate dessert recipes
Ingredients: 1 package( small box) of instant chocolate pudding or another flavor you prefer; 2 cups of heavy cream; 2 cups of whole cold milk; Note: see mix-ins and suggestions under NOTES below

Back in the 1970s, this was a very popular chocolate dessert at many "All You Can Eat Buffet" restaurants and a favorite light fluffy bowl of chocolate heaven.

I remember one of our favorite places mom and dad took me in particular always ran out of this so we got there early to make sure we got a scoop of this heavenly fluffy dessert before it was gone.

After two or three tries of making this, my taste tasters said this was just how they remembered this dessert and was just like the popular Ponderosa Steakhouse back in those days.

The combination of chocolate pudding and real heavy whipped cream blended together into a fluffy chocolate pillowy dessert tasted almost like a mousse without all the fuss.

It took less than 25 minutes to make with just 3 ingredients and after one spoonful we went back in time to those good old day buffet lines for just a moment with these flavors and creamy delight.

This version is almost like a chocolate mousse-style dessert but easier to make and much quicker and still smooth and thick.

For these easy directions, you can skip through the rest of my fluff below and go straight to a printable recipe card below at the very bottom of this page.

this is fluffy whipped cream and chocolate pudding mixed together like mousse dessert with chocolate shavings on top

Copycat Buffet Desserts

Thinking back to the buffets in the 1970s I remember several fun dessert flavors they offered, the chocolate fluffy dessert in big huge chilled pans was always my favorite over the vanilla fluffy dessert and the first empty pan devoured.

I thought about it for years afterward when the one closed in my hometown and even the ones we went to out of town didn't serve this anymore but I never tried to make it at home.

After trial and error over the last few months of getting that taste, texture, and fluffiness just right, this one hit the nail on the head.

It's easy to make and I will even give you some other flavor combinations we came up with along the way you may also like them in our tips below.

You may also like to try our Chinese Strawberry with Bananas Salad buffet dessert another favorite made with jello.

this is whipped heavy cream and instant chocolate pudding folded in after whipped

Other Suggestions and Mix-in Ideas

vanilla instant pudding with drained crushed pineapple
butterscotch instant pudding
banana cream instant pudding with sliced fresh bananas
cheesecake instant pudding with sliced fresh strawberries
coconut cream instant pudding with added shredded coconut
pumpkin spice instant pudding with cinnamon chips
pistachio instant pudding with toasted pistachios and mini chocolate chips
chocolate chips, any favorite candy bars chopped, chocolate coated cookie bars, or your favorite cookies crumbled can be folded in the pudding step
leave the dessert plain and topped with shaved chocolate or berries in elegant glassware for hosting dinner parties
Note: add 1 cup of mix-ins with the instant pudding step any combination of fruit can be substituted however blot fruits dry if there is any juice

this is a collage of step by step how to make a buffet style chocolate fluffy dessert

Shopping List

instant pudding
whole milk
heavy cream

this is chilled beaters and bowl to whip heavy cream to make whipped cream perfectly

Tips

make sure the bowl and beaters are both chilled before whipping the heavy cream
do not overbeat heavy cream or it will turn into butter
use a clean bowl for the instant pudding and beat until thick and smooth
fold in any mix-ins
if using fruits blot dry first if there is any moisture
cover leftovers and best stored in a glass bowl
store in the refrigerator
best eaten within 3 days
do not leave this out at room temperature without having ice underneath for safety issues

Pin for later

Easy No- Cook or No-Bake Chocolate Desserts

If you're looking for an easy no cooking no baking chocolate-chilled dessert look no further.

This dessert is perfect for any weeknight dessert in a hurry and can be dressed elegantly topped with red raspberries for hosting a dinner party.

Serve this delight in parfait glasses, champagne glasses, or any other glassware and you'll impress all your friends and family you serve this to it's truly a match made in heaven fluffy delight.

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Author: Claudia Lamascolo