RECIPE

The Ultimate Chocolate Pudding

  • ACTIVE:
  • TOTAL TIME:
  • SERVINGS: 6

Dress up this chocolate pudding for grown-ups with sweetened vanilla-flavored whipped cream and chocolate shavings or a dusting of cocoa powder.

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  • ACTIVE:
  • TOTAL TIME:
  • SERVINGS: 6
  • MAKE-AHEAD
  • VEGETARIAN

Ingredients

  • Ingredients
    1. 3/4 cup sugar
    2. 6 tablespoons unsweetened Dutch process cocoa powder
    3. 3 tablespoons cornstarch
    4. 1/4 teaspoon salt
    5. 2 cups milk
    6. 6 ounces top-quality semisweet chocolate, finely chopped
    7. 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
    8. 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Directions

  1. Working over a large bowl, sift 1/2 cup of the sugar with the cocoa, cornstarch and salt. Whisk in 1/2 cup of the milk to make a smooth paste; scrape the bottom of the bowl with a rubber spatula to be sure everything is well mixed.
  2. Put the chocolate in a heatproof bowl. In a medium saucepan, combine the heavy cream with the remaining 1 1/2 cups of milk and 1/4 cup of sugar and bring just to a simmer over moderately high heat, stirring. Reduce the heat to moderately low and stir in the cocoa paste. Whisking constantly, boil the mixture for 1 minute. Strain the mixture over the chocolate in the bowl. Add the vanilla and stir until the pudding is smooth.
  3. Pour the pudding into six glasses or 1-cup ramekins and let cool to room temperature. Cover the puddings and refrigerate until set, at least 4 hours.

Make Ahead

The puddings can be refrigerated for up to 2 days.