Sunday, October 18, 2009

Old Fashioned Double Chocolate Pudding



I had the good fortune to be raised in the company of wonderful cooks. My mother, bright and beautiful, was a woman of many talents, but cooking wasn't one of them. She had ten recipes in her rotation and never met a dessert, save for her lemon pie, that didn't come from a box. Fortunately, Jello puddings became available in 1936 so we did have dessert at our table, but imagination, taste and skill were learned in other kitchens. As a matter of fact, if it weren't for the visits of my paternal grandmother, Maude, I'd probably still think pudding came from a box. Maude had raised a large, boisterous family, and while she lived with her only daughter she spent most of the year visiting the homes of her "boys." She called it taking turns. When she stayed with us, dessert was her responsibility and this pudding is based on one she taught my sister and I how to make. It really is quite lovely and vastly improved by the wonderful chocolates that are available to us now. I make the pudding with whole milk and really good chocolate. While not as smooth as a mousse, or as intensely chocolate as a pot de creme, this is, nonetheless, delicious. It's easy to do and a perfect family dessert. Here is Grandma Maude's recipe for old-fashioned double chocolate pudding.


Old Fashioned Double Chocolate Pudding
...from the kitchen of One Perfect Bite

Ingredients:
2 (1-oz.) squares, unsweetened baking chocolate
1 cup granulated sugar
1/8 teaspoon salt
2 cups milk, divided
3 tablespoons cornstarch
3 tablespoon Dutch process cocoa powder
2 tablespoons unsalted cold butter, cut in small pieces
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:
1) Grate chocolate squares into top of double boiler that's been placed over simmering water. Add sugar, salt and 1-2/3 cups milk. Heat, stirring constantly, until chocolate melts and mixture is well-blended.
2) Sift cornstarch and cocoa powder together onto a sheet of waxed paper. Add to reserved 1/3 cup milk; stir until well combined.
3) Add cocoa mixture to chocolate in double boiler. Continue to cook, stirring gently, until pudding thickens and almost mounds, about 8 minutes. Cover pan; cook without stirring for 10 minutes. Remove top of double boiler from water. Gently stir in butter. Cool for about 10 minutes before adding vanilla; stir well. Pour into dessert dishes. Cover tops with plastic wrap and allow to cool completely before refrigerating. Chill for several hours before serving. Yield: 4 to 6 servings.

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27 comments :

My Little Space said...

Another fantastic dessert! The texture looks more like a mousse pudding to me though. I bet it taste wonderful. I would love to have some of these. Thank you.

Coleens Recipes said...

Simple chocolate pudding has to be one of my all time favorite sweets. Your photo is beautiful!!

AK said...

Hi! Your blog is wonderful, you have given me so many great ideas for Halloween!! Love from AK;)

Anonymous said...

When I read the title I kept thinking I hope I have all the ingredients today -yes I do! Such a good Sunday dessert for us today. Thanks.
vickie

Katy ~ said...

For a looong time I have been looking for a good chocolate pudding. I think this is it! Thank you so very much!

Candy said...

Love that copy and paste button. This ones going in the book.
Thanks Grandma Maude!
Sunday Blessings from Texas ;-)

Martha said...

Our puddings always came out of a box, too. Thanks for both story and recipe -- I will have to try this sometime!

Marti said...

The story was great. The recipe reminds me of a dessert that I ate in a very chi-chi Washington DC restaurant with a friend: Pudding in a cloud. It was a spot of double-chocolate pudding surrounded by a mascarpone whipped cream "cloud."

I really like the idea of "one perfect bite" (as opposed to hugely over-eating) and you seem to be full of ideas for that bite.

Thanks much! Be back soon!

bj said...

O, my...this does sound delicious.
I love it when people have a grandmother recipe. I didn't have a grandmother and ...I still miss one...even tho I am a great-grandmother myself. Silly, hu?

I am going to give this delightful pudding a try!!
Have a beautiful Sunday, Mary girl.
xo bj

Nancy said...

I've been reading through recipes, catching up since I only have time to stop by once a week. Once again, was looking for this one. Will give it a try. But, first I have to make the apple streusel pie.

Still visiting around Pink Saturday posts and wishing you a wonderful week.

SnoWhite said...

Looks delicious. Thanks!

nooschi said...

I love a simple chocolate pudding. This one looks great.

Mary Bergfeld said...

Nooschi, welcome to One Perfect Bite. I hope you'll join us on a regular basis. We'll save a chair for you.

Inspired by eRecipeCards said...

Excellent post. I love the idea of shared family recipes. And of course, this sounds extra rich and beautiful to have

George Gaston said...

Mary, this looks like the perfect dessert ~ made with quality ingredients and the handed down love of a great cook. What could be better! Thanks...

Dogmom Diva said...

Mary, that desert looks divine and very chocoltely!
thank you for visiting my blog yesterday, I am meeting the BEST ladies this way..have a great day!

Farmer Jo said...

YUM, YUM, YUM! I know what I am making for dessert tonight!

Heather S-G said...

This is one of those simple, yet stunning desserts!! Looks decadent :D

Anonymous said...

that looks just too good:) have a fab week

Lori said...

I have to laugh because tonite I made the kids mousse from a box (bow head in shame). UGH! It was horrible. They did not even eat it. Then I see your amazing pudding. What the "hay" was I thinking? This pudding should have been in there bowls.

theUngourmet said...

Oh I just love homemade chocolate pudding! The pudding from the store is so full of junk and doesn't taste nearly as good. Very nice looking recipe!

Sue said...

Hi Mary,
You have just given one of my favorite desserts, I just love homemade chocolate pudding, and am always looking for new recipes. I also enjoyed reading your story. Thank you for sharing.
Blessings,
Sue

free online adventure games said...

I love the way you make such recipes short and sweet! It's hard for me to get ingredients that most other recipes of this dessert call for, out in the neighbourhood where I live, so it's nice to see a simple recipe like this.

Heather said...

It's funny. I tried to make this today, and it never came together, even after like..an hour. Was a delicious chocolate sauce though!

Mary Bergfeld said...

Heather, while I haven't had a problem with this recipe, cornstarch will sometimes break down if it is stirred too vigorously.

Anonymous said...

Wow Mary! One of my favorite foods! Love the rich chocolate colour here :)

Unknown said...

I can't wait to try this!

Enjoyed reading your blog; attempting a blog of my own and still in the works but hope to do as good a job as yours!

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