Deep Chocolate Pudding

on
Thursday, November 4, 2010
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Deep Chocolate Pudding
“In the Sweet Kitchen: The Definitive Baker's Companion. Copyright © 2010 by Regan Daley. All rights reserved.”

1 cup granulated sugar
4 tablespoons cornstarch
1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder
1/8 teaspoon salt
2 1/2 cups whole milk (3.5%), or substitute 2% milk
4 large egg yolks
1/2 cup heavy cream (36%)
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
4 ounces good-quality bittersweet or semisweet chocolate

Lightly sweetened whipped cream, to serve, if desired

Place the sugar in a large bowl. Sift over it the cornstarch, cocoa and salt. Add 1/2 cup of the milk and stir the mixture to make a thick paste. Lightly beat the egg yolks, then add these to the cornstarch mixture, whisking to blend well. Wrap a damp towel around the base of the bowl to prevent it from sliding around when the scalded milk is added.

Meanwhile, in a heavy-bottomed 2 quart saucepan, combine the remaining 2 cups milk and the cream. Bring these just to the boil, then remove the pot from the heat. Pour a small amount of the hot liquid into the cornstarch-cocoa mixture, whisking constantly. Continue to whisk the milk-cream mixture into the bowl gradually, until all of the liquid has been incorporated, and the mixture is smooth. Rinse out the pot used to scald the milk and cream, but don't dry it; this will help prevent the pudding from scorching on the bottom. Pour the custard into the clean pot and add the vanilla.

Have ready a clean mesh sieve over a medium-sized bowl. Return the pot to the stove and stir with a wooden spoon over low to medium-low heat until the custard thickens, about 5 to 7 minutes. It should approach, but never quite reach, the boil and be about the consistency of mayonnaise when it's done. This custard behaves very strangely - you may fear something has gone terribly wrong, but press on! It will get increasingly lumpy to the point where, just as it reaches the right thickness, it will seem downright chunky. Never mind! Quickly remove the pot from the element and pour through the sieve into the clean bowl, pressing the custard through with a rubber spatula.

Add the finely chopped or grated chocolate in two additions, stirring gently with a wooden spoon or rubber spatula until the chocolate is melted smoothly into the pudding. Spoon the pudding into 6 to 8 serving dishes or goblets and chill at least 6 hours or overnight. Serve just as it is, or with a dollop of lightly sweetened whipped cream for a truly decadent dessert.

22 comments on "Deep Chocolate Pudding"
  1. Seems like we have the same cravings today. This recipe is going to make it to my kitchen very soon!!

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  2. oh myyy, that pudding looks so smooth and chocolatey and decadent. beautiful.

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  3. Sometimes a simple pudding is all it takes to make a day better. It's instant comfort food ... especially when it's deep, dark chocolate! Yum.

    Cheers,

    *Heather*

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  4. Emily, I love your blog and your recipes!
    I follow a long time and love it! Thanks for sharing your recipes!
    Hug,

    Nô

    :o)

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  5. That looks pretty decadent - and yummy! I love how thick it looks.

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  6. oh my. this looks so smooth, rich and delicious!

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  7. I love pudding too! It's the perfect dessert.

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  8. I've never made homemade pudding, what is wrong with me? This looks so decadent!

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  9. That sounds like a wonderful cookbook and, wow, does that pudding look great. I love that you sieve it, which is so important. I don't think a lot of people realize how easy it is to make pudding and how good it is! Plus I LOVE the skin on top.

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  10. Well done for giving a shout out to pudding. It tastes so much better made from scratch, too. Your photos are stunning!

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  11. I would definitely check out that cookbook.

    I love making homemade pudding. It's not that hard and it always tastes so much fresher.

    And kudos for the Harold and Maude reference. I just made "If You Want to Sing Out, Sing Out" my ringtone this week!

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  12. I had had this book for a few weeks now and it is seriously amazing. Love all the information and tips that are packed into its pages. Will have to flag this recipe when I get home because this looks like the ultimate pudding.

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  13. oh my gosh, I have a huge love for pudding too! In college I would load up on banana pudding and crushed oreo cookies in the dining hall. Ha it was awesome! I've only tried to make it from scratch once and it was so lumpy...I still ate it all! Now I want to try yours which looks perfect! So thick and dark and just perfect!

    Sorry...apparently pudding gets me excited haha!

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  14. I literally started salivating (ew) the second I saw those pictures. Oh my, anything creamy and chocolate is my favorite. All the time, without fail. I'm so hungry now!

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  15. I have never made a chocolate pudding from scratch, but you have totally inspired me :-)

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  16. Ooh this looks yummy! I never have whipped cream with my chocolate pudding, which may be a good thing because I have pudding every other day...but now I feel like I'm missing out!

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  17. Thanks everyone! I'm so sorry I'm behind on commenting and reading blogs. :(

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  18. Ahh pudding! I love to settle down with a few cups of it, with a nice movie to watch :) That looks rich and sinful <3

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  19. Mmm, that looks de-lish. Kinda just looks like a bowl of frosting, I could go for that, too! ;)

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