Double Chocolate Pudding

Recipe slightly adapted from Lauren’s Latest


Ingredients 
1/4 cup granulated sugar 
3 tablespoons cornstarch, sifted 
1/4 cup good quality, unsweetened cocoa powder, sifted 
1/8 teaspoon salt 
1 cup fat free half & half 
1 cup milk
2 oz. good quality, chopped semisweet dark chocolate, such as scharffen berger  
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 
Freshly whipped cream, for serving 
Milk chocolate shavings, for serving 


Makes 6, half-cup servings


1. In a small saucepan, whisk sugar, cornstarch, cocoa powder, and salt together until combined. Slowly stream in the half & half and milk, whisking to prevent lumps. Place the pan over medium high heat and whisk until the mixture starts to steam. Sprinkle in chopped dark chocolate and continue stirring until it has melted and the pudding has bubbled and thickened.
2. Remove the pudding from the heat and stir in the vanilla bean extract. Pour the pudding evenly into serving cups of your choice. Place plastic wrap directly onto the pudding and refrigerate it until completely chilled, approximately two hours. Remove the plastic wrap and top the pudding with whipped cream and milk chocolate shavings. 


Light and airy, filled with tones of decadent dark chocolate, and topped with freshly whipped cream and milk chocolate shavings, this pudding is the chocolate lover’s dream. It is the ideal item to satisfy your sweet craving and can be thrown together in less than 15 minutes. Unlike the store-bought puddings that are packed with sugar and artificial flavorings, every bite of this homemade snack tastes like pure, unmasked chocolate. This would be a wonderful dessert to prepare for a summer barbecue, placed in vodka glasses and served with colorful, mini plastic spoons. For a bit of added crunch, sprinkle cocoa nibs or mini semisweet chocolate chips into the warm pudding while pouring the pudding in the cups.