The Best Chocolate Pudding

The Best Chocolate Pudding puts packed light brown sugar, unsweetened cocoa powder and cornstarch at the center of a chocolate recipe and finishes in about 310 minutes, enough for 8 servings (4 cups of pudding).

• Yield 8 servings (4 cups of pudding)
• Ready in 310 minutes
• Prep 300 minutes
• Cook 10 minutes

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
• 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder (Dutch-process or regular)
• 3 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 3/4 cups whole milk
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup milk chocolate chips (or 6 ounces bar milk chocolate chopped)
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

1. In a large saucepan, combine the brown sugar, cocoa, cornstarch and salt, whisking lightly. Whisk in the milk and cream to the sugar mixture until it is smooth. Stir in the chocolate chips and bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat, whisking or stirring occasionally. Once the mixture is at a simmer, reduce the heat to medium-low and cook, whisking constantly, until the mixture is thickened and large bubbles pop at the surface, 2 to 3 minutes. Take the pot off the heat and stir in the vanilla.
2. Transfer the pudding to a large bowl and cover with plastic wrap, pressing the plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the pudding to avoid a skin starting to form. Refrigerate the pudding until it is completely cool, at least 4 hours but up to 3 days, if it is stored in an airtight container. Serve with a dollop of whipped cream...or not.

Let the center settle before you cut it, or the slices will slump.