the ingredients needed to make a chocolate pudding
4 ounces bittersweet chocolate
3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
3 tablespoons cornstarch
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup heavy cream
3 large egg yolks
2 1/2 cups whole or 2% milk
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Equipment
Cutting board
Serrated knife
Large heatproof bowl
Whisk
3-quart (or larger) cooking pot
2-quart storage container
Plastic wrap or wax paper
Instructions
1. Chop the chocolate. Use a serrated knife to chop the chocolate into fine flakes; set aside.
2. Make a slurry. Whisk the cocoa powder, cornstarch, and salt together in a large, heatproof bowl. Slowly whisk in the cream, a little at a time, until you have a smooth mixture.
3. Whisk in the egg yolks. Whisk the egg yolks into the cream and cornstarch mixture.
4. Combine the milk and sugar. Pour the milk into a 3-quart (or larger) saucepan. Add the sugar and warm over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the sugar is dissolved.
5. Bring the milk to a simmer. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Watch for the surface of the milk to vibrate and for bubbles to form around the edges of the pot.
6. Temper the egg mixture. Pour most of the hot milk into the bowl of cream and egg yolks. Whisk until well-combined, then pour everything back into the pot.
7. Bring the pudding to a full boil. Bring the mixture to a full boil over medium-high heat, stirring frequently. (It should look like lava boiling up!) At this point, the pudding will look much thicker.
8. Cook the pudding for 2 minutes. Cook for 2 minutes more, whisking constantly and vigorously. Get your whisk into all corners of the pot.
9. Flavor the pudding. Remove the pot from the heat and whisk in the vanilla. Add the chopped chocolate and let sit for 1 to 2 minutes or until melted. Whisk vigorously until the chocolate is fully incorporated.
10. Chill the pudding. Transfer the pudding to a storage container and press plastic wrap or wax paper directly onto the surface of the pudding. Cover with a lid and refrigerate.
Recipe Notes
Choosing milk: I specify whole or 2% milk. Anything lighter and you run the risk of a too-thin pudding.
Dairy alternatives: I don't recommend using soy, almond, or coconut milks in cornstarch puddings like this one. Alternative dairies often don't boil well; they separate or don't thicken like cow's milk. Also, regardless of the milk, the cream is important. If you want a dairy-free pudding, I recommend panna cotta instead.
Egg-free pudding: This pudding can be made without egg yolks by increasing the cornstarch; it just won't be quite as thick and rich. If making without egg yolks, add an additional 1 tablespoon of cornstarch, and be sure to use whole milk.
Pudding skin: The reason to press plastic wrap or wax paper on the surface of the pudding is to avoid the thickened layer or "skin" that forms on the top of cornstarch puddings as they cool. If you like this though then just leave the pudding uncovered.
Chilling pudding quickly: If you want to chill the pudding very quickly, pour it into a large shallow sheet pan. (Don't forget to cover the whole surface with plastic or wax paper, or you'll end up with a lot of pudding skin!)
Creamy pudding: After pudding has thoroughly chilled, I like to whisk it or beat it in my mixer before serving. I whisk by hand or with the whip attachment of my stand mixer for about 60 seconds. This isn't a necessary step, but it makes the pudding lighter and creamier after it has set in the fridge.
Storage: The pudding can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Serrated knife
Whisk
3-quart (or larger) cooking pot
2-quart storage container
Plastic wrap or wax paper
Dairy alternatives: I don't recommend using soy, almond, or coconut milks in cornstarch puddings like this one. Alternative dairies often don't boil well; they separate or don't thicken like cow's milk. Also, regardless of the milk, the cream is important. If you want a dairy-free pudding, I recommend panna cotta instead.
Egg-free pudding: This pudding can be made without egg yolks by increasing the cornstarch; it just won't be quite as thick and rich. If making without egg yolks, add an additional 1 tablespoon of cornstarch, and be sure to use whole milk.
Pudding skin: The reason to press plastic wrap or wax paper on the surface of the pudding is to avoid the thickened layer or "skin" that forms on the top of cornstarch puddings as they cool. If you like this though then just leave the pudding uncovered.
Chilling pudding quickly: If you want to chill the pudding very quickly, pour it into a large shallow sheet pan. (Don't forget to cover the whole surface with plastic or wax paper, or you'll end up with a lot of pudding skin!)
Creamy pudding: After pudding has thoroughly chilled, I like to whisk it or beat it in my mixer before serving. I whisk by hand or with the whip attachment of my stand mixer for about 60 seconds. This isn't a necessary step, but it makes the pudding lighter and creamier after it has set in the fridge.
Storage: The pudding can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
how to make fruit syrup
for more details please see the video below
