Chocolate Pudding

This.

THIS.

This took less than half an hour. It's rich, but not too rich. Very chocolaty. Simple, comforting. Magic as the cornstarch thickens sweet, cocoa-lush milk.

I put a few raspberries on top, because I didn't have the courage to pour straight cream like Alice suggests. But I'm sure it's divine.

A few days later, sitting in the fridge (I too, am a lover of pudding skin), it becomes fudgy, almost like pot de creme or a thick custard.

So deeply chocolate. If you're used to making this, try this instead. It will blow your mind off with endorphins!

Chocolate Pudding
Yield: 6 pots of pudding

Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup (66 grams) sugar 
• 1/3 cup (28 grams) unsweetened cocoa powder, preferably natural 
• 2 tablespoons (17 grams) cornstarch 
• 1/8 teaspoon salt 
• 1 3/4 cups milk (whole is best but don't sweat it. Or, figure out the percentages) 
• 1/4 cup heavy cream 
• 3 to 4 ounces (85 grams to 115 grams) dark chocolate, very finely chopped 
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 
• rum, if you want!

Method:

1. Whisk together the dry ingredients (sugar, cocoa, cornstarch, and salt) in a medium saucepan. Add a splash or two of the milk and whisk to combine into a smooth paste. Then, add the rest of the milk and cream and whisk to combine.
2. Heat mixture over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture begins to thicken and bubble (about 5 mins). Make sure to scrape the corners of the pan. Heat and stir for an additional minute after the mixture starts bubbling.
3. Take the pan off the heat, then add the chocolate. Stir to melt and combine. Add the vanilla (and rum if desired) and stir to combine.
4. Divide into 6 ramekins, teacups, or whatever small vessels grace your kitchen. Refrigerate or eat warm, with or without cream/whipped cream.

From Food52, recipe by Alice Medrich (Chocolate Goddess)

*Note: this recipe is called "Chocolate Pudding You Can Serve Naked (or Top With Cream)"--I would not suggest that you parade around au natural offering people pudding. I would instead suggest serving it without accompaniment, or putting a bit of cream on top :).