Bret's Chocolate Pudding

Ingredients

 

2 cups whole milk
1/2 cup sugar
1/3 cup natural cocoa powder 

1/2 tsp. espresso powder

4 teaspoons cornstarch
3 large egg yolks
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

1/3 c. sour cream
1/4 teaspoon fine salt
3/4 cup whipping cream

1/2 package of gelatin, dissolved in 2 tbsp of cold water (optional)

Directions

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

Meanwhile, whisk the remaining 1/2 cup of the milk, espresso powder, cornstarch, salt, egg yolks, and vanilla in a bowl. Gradually whisk the hot milk into the egg mixture to temper. 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. Add the sour cream and thoroughly mix.

 

If you want thicker pudding, use the gelatin.  Put 2 tbsp cold water into a small bowl and sprinkle the gelatin into the water.  Wait 3-4 minutes and let the gelatin 'bloom'.  While waiting, put a small saucepan on the stove with enough water to float the bowl in.  Heat it to near boiling and put the bowl of gelatin in the hot water bath until it dissolves.  Mix into the pudding.