Double Chocolate Pudding

This is my first time, I think, that I have ever made, home made pudding. It's coco powder and chocolate chips. That's the double wammy. It's rich and so good. I Just had the one in the champagne glass, and Chuck had the wine glass on the right. Wonder if that means something about us. Wonder who will get the big glass? The cream is not whipped because it's not gonna happen here in the jungle, unless you have a stand mixer.( To humid) I don't , so I try with a hand mixer and well, this is what I got. Thick is not stiff peaks. This recipe is from, joyofbaking.com

In a medium bowl whisk together the sugar, cornstarch, cocoa powder, and salt. Then whisk in 1/3 cup of the milk to make a thick paste. Add the egg yolks and whisk into the cocoa paste mixture. Set aside while you heat the milk and cream. Have ready a strainer placed over a bowl, you need to strain the pudding after it is cooked.

First, rinse a medium-sized heavy saucepan with cold water and then shake out the excess water. I did not know this, what a great idea, and it worked. Doing this step helps to prevent the milk from scorching. Then pour in the remaining 1 1/3 cups milk with the cream. Bring this mixture just to a boil (the milk will start to foam up) and then remove from heat. Gradually pour the hot milk into the egg mixture, whisking constantly, until the mixture is smooth. Transfer the pudding mixture back to the heavy bottomed medium sized saucepan and place over medium-low heat. Cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens to the consistency of mayonnaise (about 3 - 5 minutes). Remove from heat and pour through the strainer to remove any lumps that may have formed during cooking.

Add the chocolate chips, vanilla extract, and butter, stirring gently with a rubber spatula until the mixture is smooth. Pour into 4 wine glasses.Serve cold. Add whipped cream if you like.

Makes about 4 servings.

3/4 cup granulated white sugar

2 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch

1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (regular or Dutch-processed)

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 2/3 cup milk, divided (whole or 2%)

1/3 cup heavy whipping cream

3 large egg yolks

3 ounces semisweet chocolate chips or chocolate that you like.

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1 tablespoon unsalted butter, room temperature (cut into small pieces)