Chocolate pudding. It is smooth, creamy and comforting and just one bite brings me back to my childhood. Growing up, however, instant J-ello pudding was all the rage. Simply add milk, stir and dessert was ready. Fortunately my taste buds and preferences have changed a lot over the years and now instant pudding simply won’t cut it. Actually any pudding from a box isn’t up to snuff but when real, cooked from scratch pudding is so easy, why would you even need the box?
This recipe is adapted from Smitten Kitchen and is rich and flavorful and is fast to make. Because there are so few ingredients, be sure to use the best ones you can find. I’m partial to using a combination of chocolates because I think it creates a more complex flavor profile. Or you can use a single type; the choice is yours. I’ve also used coconut milk as the base of my pudding but a whole cow’s milk can be used instead. Either way you will be rewarded with a rich and not too sweet pudding that will bring you back to your childhood as well.
SILKY RICH COCONUT MILK CHOCOLATE PUDDING
1/4 cup cornstarch
1/2 cup sugar
1/8 teaspoon salt
3 cups coconut milk
4 ounces bittersweet chocolate, coarsely chopped
2 ounces semi-sweet chocolate, coarsely chopped
2 teaspoons vanilla extact
- In a medium saucepan, combine the cornstarch, sugar and salt.
- Slowly whisk in the coconut milk, in a thin steam at first so that lumps don’t form, then more quickly once the cornstarch mixture is smoothly incorporated.
- Place the mixture over medium-low heat and stir occasionally, scraping the bottom and sides. Use a whisk as necessary should lumps begin to form.
- After approximately 15 minutes, before it starts to simmer, the mixture should begin to thicken, enough that it will coat the back of a spoon.
- Stir in the chocolates, and continue stirring for another 2 to 4 minutes, until chocolate is fully incorporated and mixture is quite thick.
- Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla.
- Allow to cool completely before serving.
- To prevent a film from forming on top of the pudding, press a piece of plastic wrap directly onto the pudding surface.
Serves 8