Name: Creamy Chocolate Pudding with Cinnamon and Chipotle
Total time: 4 h 30 min
Yield: Serves 6
Ingredients: 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 1/2 teaspoon espresso powder; 1/2 cup (3 1/2 ounces/99 grams) sugar; 3 tablespoons Dutch-processed cocoa; 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon; 1/4 teaspoon chipotle chile powder; 1 pinch cayenne pepper; 2 tablespoons cornstarch; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 3 large egg yolks; 1/2 cup heavy cream; 2 1/2 cups whole milk; 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into 8 pieces; 4 ounces (113 grams) bittersweet chocolate, chopped fine

Why This Recipe Works

Homemade chocolate pudding often suffers from either lackluster chocolate flavor, caused by a dearth of chocolate, or a grainy texture, caused by too much cocoa butter. We found that using a moderate amount of bittersweet chocolate in combination with unsweetened cocoa and espresso powder helped us achieve maximum chocolate flavor. For thickening, cornstarch proved the right choice, and using mostly milk and just half a cup of heavy cream, along with three egg yolks, ensured that our pudding had a silky smooth texture. Salt and vanilla enhanced the chocolate flavor even more.

Before You Begin

We recommend using one of our favorite dark chocolates-Callebaut Intense Dark Chocolate, L-60-40NV, or Ghirardelli Bittersweet Chocolate Baking Bar. If you like, garnish the pudding with whipped cream and chocolate shavings.

Instructions

Stir together vanilla and espresso powder in bowl; set aside. Whisk sugar, cocoa, cinnamon, chili powder, cayenne pepper, cornstarch, and salt together in large saucepan. Whisk in yolks and cream until fully incorporated, making sure to scrape corners of saucepan. Whisk in milk until incorporated.

Place saucepan over medium heat; cook, whisking constantly, until mixture is thickened and bubbling over entire surface, 5 to 8 minutes. Cook 30 seconds longer, remove from heat, add butter and chocolate, and whisk until melted and fully incorporated. Whisk in vanilla mixture.

Pour pudding through fine-mesh strainer into bowl. Press lightly greased parchment paper against surface of pudding, and place in refrigerator to cool, at least 4 hours. Whisk pudding briefly and serve.