Dark Chocolate Pudding With Malted Cream Food

DARK CHOCOLATE PUDDING

Steps:

• In a small heatproof bowl, whisk together egg and yolks. Set aside.
• Place chocolate, butter and vanilla extract in a food processor or blender but don't turn on.
• In a medium pot, whisk together milk, cream, brown sugar, cocoa, cornstarch and salt until smooth. Bring to a full boil, whisking, and let bubble for 1 to 2 minutes to activate cornstarch. At that point, it will start to thicken, and when it does immediately pull the pot off the heat. (You don't want to overboil the cornstarch, which can cause it to thin out again.)
• Pour a little of the hot cornstarch mixture into the eggs, stirring constantly to prevent them from curdling, then pour eggs back into the pan with the remaining cornstarch mixture. Cook over low heat, whisking constantly, until mixture just returns to a bare simmer (one bubble is plenty). Immediately pour into the food processor or blender. Run the machine until the pudding is very smooth (the hot milk mixture will melt the chocolate).
• Pour into individual bowls or teacups or 1 large decorative bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate until firm and cold, at least 4 hours for individual servings and as many as 8 hours for 1 large bowl. Pudding can be made 3 days ahead. Serve with whipped cream or whipped crème fraîche, decorated with chocolate shavings and a pinch of sea salt, if you like.

MALTED MILK CHOCOLATE PUDDING

Steps:

• Whisk the egg in a medium bowl. Whisk the milk, 1/3 cup malted milk powder and the cornstarch in a medium saucepan until smooth. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, whisking, until slightly thickened, about 4 minutes (the mixture will look like heavy cream). Remove from the heat and whisk about 1/2 cup of the hot milk mixture into the beaten egg, then whisk the egg mixture into the remaining milk in the pan. Cook over medium heat, whisking, until thickened, about 2 minutes (the whisk should leave a thick trail when dragged). Remove from the heat. Add the chopped chocolate and vanilla and whisk until smooth.
• Divide the pudding among 4 ramekins or small bowls. Place a piece of plastic wrap directly on the surface of each and refrigerate until set, at least 4 hours or overnight.
• Whisk the heavy cream with the remaining 1 tablespoon malted milk powder in a medium bowl until soft peaks form. Top the pudding with the whipped cream and malted milk balls.

DARK CHOCOLATE PUDDING

Steps:

• Melt the chocolate in a double boiler over low heat. In a medium saucepan, bring the cream and milk to a bare simmer. In a large bowl, whisk together the sugar, vanilla, salt and egg yolks.
• Slowly pour the milk mixture into the egg mixture to temper it, whisking all the while. Return the mixture to the saucepan and cook over low heat until the mixture coats the back of a spoon, about 4 minutes. Pour in the melted chocolate and whisk until smooth.
• Pour into glasses or custard cups. Refrigerate until chilled and set, about 3 hours. Serve with whipped sour cream, if desired.

MOCHA DARK CHOCOLATE PUDDING

Steps:

• Whisk the egg yolks and 2 tablespoons coffee liqueur in a medium bowl. Whisk the milk, granulated sugar, cocoa powder, cornstarch and salt in a medium saucepan until smooth. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, whisking occasionally, until slightly thickened, about 8 minutes. Remove from the heat and whisk about 1/2 cup of the hot milk mixture into the beaten eggs, then whisk the egg mixture into the remaining milk in the pan. Cook over medium heat, whisking, until thickened, about 5 minutes (the whisk should leave a thick trail when dragged). Remove from the heat. Add the chopped chocolate and whisk until smooth, then whisk in the butter and 1 teaspoon vanilla.
• Divide the pudding among 4 ramekins or small bowls. Place a piece of plastic wrap directly on the surface of each and refrigerate until set, at least 4 hours or overnight.
• Whisk the heavy cream with the confectioners' sugar in a medium bowl until soft peaks form. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon coffee liqueur and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla and whisk until combined. Top the pudding with the whipped cream and chocolate-covered espresso beans.

DARK CHOCOLATE PUDDING

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, mix sugar, cornstarch and salt. Whisk in milk until smooth. Cook and stir over medium heat until thickened and bubbly. Reduce heat to low; cook and stir 2 minutes longer. Remove from heat., In a small bowl, whisk a small amount of hot mixture into egg yolks; return all to pan, whisking constantly. Bring to a gentle boil; cook and stir 2 minutes. Reduce heat to low; stir in chocolate until melted. Remove from heat; stir in vanilla. Cool 15 minutes, stirring occasionally., Transfer to a bowl; press plastic wrap onto surface of pudding. Refrigerate until cold. If desired, serve with whipped cream.

CHOCOLATE MALTED PUDDING

Steps:

• In a small bowl, blend 1/2 cup of milk with the cornstarch.
• Combine the malted milk powder, cocoa and salt in a small heavy saucepan and slowly whisk in the remaining 3-1/2 cups of milk, the chocolate and the sugar. Heat over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until the chocolate is melted. Whisk in the cornstarch mixture.
• Cook, stirring frequently, over very low heat until very thick and just beginning to boil, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla.
• Let cool, stirring occasionally until the custard is just warm.
• Pour the pudding into small 1/2 c bowls.
• Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until set.
• You can make this up to 3 days in advance.

DARK CHOCOLATE PUDDING

Steps:

• Mix 1/2 cup sugar and flour together in a small bowl.
• Mix remaining sugar and egg in another bowl. Add to flour mixture and mix together.
• Heat milk in a heavy saucepan over medium-low heat until warm, about 5 minutes; do not let boil. Stir sugar mixture into milk and cook over medium-high heat until it starts to bubble, about 5 minutes, stirring quickly the entire time to ensure it doesn't burn. Let bubble for at least 1 minute. Remove from heat and stir in chocolate and vanilla extract until smooth.
• Pour pudding into serving bowls, cover, and refrigerate for 8 hours, to overnight.