Chocolate pudding. Is there a more quintessential kids' dessert? There's something about the cold, creamy texture and sweet, rich chocolate that invariably makes kids happy.
Why should something so deliciously comforting be just for kids? Adults need comfort too. After all, are kids worrying about their 401Ks tanking? The foreclosure crisis? The rising price of eggs? (Hey, eggs have gotten really expensive.)
As good as chocolate pudding is, it may not be enough to allay your concerns about your 401K. But beer will help with that. So I present today's cooking with beer recipe: Chocolate Stout Pudding. This adult-only chocolate stout pudding is dense, rich, and creamy. And, unlike a lot of desserts with beer, you can actually taste the Guinness stout in this pudding. It's subtle, but that distinctive smoky, chocolate-y flavor is detectable, and it's fabulous.
Chocolate Stout Pudding
Slightly adapted from an original on www.homebrewchef.com.
I just added more chocolate and changed the cooking method from a double boiler to a saucepan. I tried it both ways, but the pudding wouldn't thicken with the double-boiler method.
Makes 3-4 servings
Print recipe only here.
4 tablespoons cornstarch
2 pinches salt
1/3 cup white sugar
1/3 cup light brown sugar
1 cup whole milk
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup stout beer, such as Guinness or a chocolate stout
4 ounces (1/2 cup) semi-sweet chocolate chips (I used 6 ounces (3/4 cup))
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
freshly whipped cream and a dusting of cocoa powder, optional garnishes
1. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine cornstarch, salt, and sugars. Add milk and heavy cream. Using a rubber spatula, stir until the cornstarch and sugars are dissolved. Add the beer. Bring to a simmer, stirring frequently. Lower the heat. Continue stirring frequently until pudding begins to thicken, about 5 minutes. Remove pudding from heat for 2 minutes. Stir in the chocolate chips and vanilla extract and return to the stove top. Simmer for 2-3 minutes, or until thick, stirring several times. Remove from heat.
2. Pour pudding into 3-4 small dishes or 1 large one. Cover with Saran Wrap and refrigerate until chilled. If you'd like, top it with a dollop of freshly whipped cream and a dusting of cocoa powder.
For more recipes with beer, check out my Dill and Beer Quick Bread and Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Maple Smoked Bacon and Beer.
Here are more desserts from Food Blogga that will make you feel like a kid again:
Hello Dolly Cookie BarsThe Best Ever Pineapple Upside Down Cake
Reese's Peanut Butter Cup and Chocolate Chunk Cookies
Pumpkin Pie Pudding with Candied Pecans and Freshly Whipped Cream
Here are more boozy chocolate desserts you might like:
Spicy and Stout Irish Ginger Cake with Spiced Cream recipe at B More Sweet
Chocolate Stout Cupcakes with Vanilla Cream Cheese Frosting recipe at Pinch My Salt
Chocolate, Whiskey, and Beer Cupcakes recipe at Smitten Kitchen
Chocolate Sout Cake with Bailey's Cream Cheese Frosting recipe by Closet Cooking
