Chocolate Pudding

For many folks, dessert is the best part of the meal. Personally I’m not a huge dessert gal which I have been told many times makes me crazy! But every now and then I am struck with a need for sweet. One of my favorite ways to meet that need is a big helping of chocolate pudding with whipped cream and crushed Oreos on the top. Yum!

I had always used the boxed instant pudding before but one day got to wondering how hard homemade could be. I looked at many different pudding recipes and found one that had simple ingredients and seemed not too difficult and gave it a go. After a few tweaks I hit upon a pudding I loved and was surprisingly easy. The best part about this recipe is that nothing has to be sourced from a specialty shop and can be found at the local grocery store.

Pair this rich and chocolately pudding with my suggessted toppers or any other tasty items you want. It is also great alone, eaten out of the fridge secretly so nobody else can have any! Kidding (sort of), this is a dish you will love to share with your people. Now go make some pudding magic happen!

Chocolate Pudding

Makes 6 1/2 cup servings | Prep time: 10 mins | Cook time: 20 mins | Total time: 4 hours 30 mins |

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (I used Hershey's but any brand of unsweetened cocoa powder will work)
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/3 cup cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 3 cups milk (2% or whole only-any less fat and it will alter the flavor of the pudding)
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Directions

1. In a medium saucepan, mix cocoa powder, sugar, cornstarch and salt and mix well.
2. Slowly add milk and mix well until well blended.
3. Place saucepan over medium heat and cook, stirring constantly. The mixture will begin to thicken as you stir.
4. Continue to stir until it comes to a boil. Allow the mixture to boil for one minute, stirring frequently.
5. Remove the pudding from heat and add the butter and vanilla, continously mixing until butter has melted and both are fully combined with pudding.
6. Pour into heat safe container and chill for at least 4-6 hours before serving.

Good food, good people, and a homemade sweet chocolate treat! What more could you ask for? Now pass the pudding and dig in!