Oh, Valentine’s Day. A day dedicated to love & affection. A Hallmark holiday that originated with the ancient festival of Lupercalia – a raucous, drunken fertility rite in which Roman men & women paired off. Maybe you’re planning to celebrate like the Romans of old! Or…maybe…instead of a crazy wine-filled bacchanal, you’re celebrating your sweetie more delicately with chocolate & flowers. If the later is more your style, then this easy-peasy Valentine’s Day Chocolate Pudding recipe is for you!
Serves 2
Ingredients
- 3/4 t vanilla extract
- 1/8 t espresso powder
- 3 T sugar
- 1 T cocoa
- 2 t cornstarch
- 1/4 t salt
- 3 T heavy cream
- 1 lg egg yolk
- 2/4 c milk
- 1-1/2 T butter, cut into 2 pieces
- 1-1/2 oz bittersweet chocolate, chopped fine
Stir together vanilla & espresso powder in bowl; set aside. Whisk sugar, cocoa, cornstarch & salt together in large saucepan. Whisk in cream & yolk until fully incorporated, making sure to scrape corners of saucepan. Whisk in milk until incorporated.
Place saucepan over med heat. Cook, whisking constantly, until mixture is thickened & bubbling over entire surface, 4-6 min. Cook 30 sec longer. Remove from heat & add butter & chocolate. Whisk until melted & fully incorporated. Whisk in vanilla mixture.
Pour pudding through fine-mesh strainer into bowl. Press lightly greased parchment paper against surface of pudding & place in refrigerator to cool, at least 1-1/2 hrs or up to 2 days. Whisk pudding briefly. Top with whipped cream, chocolate shavings & berries, if you like!