The Best Chocolate Pudding

I love pudding, but I must say, chocolate is my favorite.  Now I like jello pudding in a pinch, but nothing beats the homemade kind.  I originally saw this on the food channel and is a recipe of Tyler Florence.  It is rich, chocolaty and very easy.  Dave who is a little hard to win over when it comes to desserts, loved this.

Dark Chocolate Pudding

• 2 cups whole milk
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/3 cup natural cocoa powder
• 4 teaspoons cornstarch
• 3 large egg yolks
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon fine salt
• 3/4 cup whipping cream

Directions

Put 1 1/2 cups of the milk, the sugar, and the cocoa in a nonreactive saucepan. Bring to a simmer, over medium-high heat. Remove from the heat.

Meanwhile, whisk the remaining 1/2 cup of the milk, cornstarch, salt, egg yolks, and vanilla in a bowl. Gradually whisk the hot milk into the egg mixture. Return to the saucepan and cook over medium-high heat whisking constantly, until the pudding comes to a full boil. Reduce the heat to maintain a simmer, and continue whisking until thick, about 2 or 3 minutes more.

Pour the pudding into 6 small cups. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or ideally overnight until set.

Just before serving pour the cream into a chilled bowl. Whip the cream with a whisk or a hand held mixer, and continue beating until soft peaks form. Take care not to over-beat the cream or it will be grainy. Serve each pudding with a dollop of whipped cream on top

 

MY NEW ADDICTION

I have a new addiction and it has become sort of an obsessive compulsive disorder.  Any of you that know we , know that I am counting down the days until I have grandchildren. ( no that is not an announcement).  I am determined to be the favorite grandma, no matter what it costs me.

I was adding to my Pinterest Board “Grandma Box”, when I came across these pins for “Felt Food”  I was hooked from the very beginning.  These are little felt foods for little hands and are completely beyond words adorable.  I got on line that minute and ordered my first pattern and felt.  I was hooked.  Now each night you can see me in my chair sewing away.  I have now run out of room for all of it.  And to top it off, I am now collecting little kitchen gadgets for my soon to be kids kitchen set.  I am making that just as soon as Dave buys me my own table saw.

These patterns are everywhere and the nice thing about them is that they are all done by hand, so no lugging out a sewing machine.  Since I have a hard time at night unwinding after work, these have become my anti anxiety meds.  This is so calming for me.  Here are a few of the ones I have made.  Like I said, these patterns are everywhere on PInterest.  My favorite have come from a site called  Sweet Emma Jean.  This is also where I order my felt.  The felt you get at the craft store can be used, but is not as nice and durable as the felt that can be ordered on line.  This felt holds up well to stuffing and does not pile.  They also have every color imaginable.

This is so fun and I really cannot wait until I have a little someone to play with them.  I will keep you posted on my kitchen set!!!!

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