Deepest Darkest Chocolate Pudding

 When only the chocolatiest will do ..


First prep 12 ounces of dark chocolate - break into small pieces or coarsely chop.    I used 85% dark from Aldi.  



Lightly whisk together in a large pot (I use my 7 qt dutch oven):

3 cups white sugar
1 cup cocoa powder
1 tsp salt
3/4 cup corn starch



Mix in:

12 egg yolks
1/2 gallon (8 cups) whole milk


Slowly heat on stove, stirring almost constantly until it starts to thicken.   This will take 12-15 minutes.     When it starts to thicken turn off the heat, still stirring.      

Add: 

2 Tablespoons vanilla
prepared 12 ounces of dark chocolate

Mix chocolate into pudding mixture and let it sit a minute, then whisk until combined.   

Add in:

1 stick butter, cut into 8-10 pieces.     Whisk until smooth and shiny.  

Scoop pudding into cups - I ended up with 38 servings.    This also works well as a pie filling for chocolate pie.   

Serve garnished with whipped cream and a raspberry if you wanna get fancy!

Peanut Butter Breakfast Cookies

I wanted to develop a quick, high nutrient, HIGH PROTEIN and whole grain breakfast cookie for those busy mornings ... note this isn't a diet item, but more of a trying to eat something to stick with me on days I really don't feel like eating / don't have time.  



Cream together until much lighter in color:

1 pound (2 cups) Jif creamy peanut butter
1 stick butter, softened
1/2 cup white sugar
1 cup brown sugar

add:  5 large eggs, mix well


then add:

1/2 cup cocoa powder
1 cup whey protein powder (unsweetened)


When well mixed, add:

3 cups rolled oats


then:

1 cup chocolate chip cookies
1 cup peanut butter chips


Scoop with a one ounce (2 Tbsp) scoop onto parchment paper - I put 8-9 each on a half sheet pan, but apparently they could have been spaced a bit closer.     Bake at 35- for about 12 minutes.   



I got 52 cookies with the one ounce scoop - nutrition info per cookie:   165 calories, 9g fat, 8g protein, 16 g carbs, 2g fiber

Better hot cocoa mix

In food processor:


break up about 6 oz of dark chocolate   (I had about 2 oz of a year-past-expiration 88% bar and a whole new bar of 85% German chocolate)
1/2 C sugar

pulse until small bits


Add:

1 C cocoa powder (I use natural process)
1 C powdered sugar
2 T corn starch

pulse again until it looks like hot chocolate mix ... store in a jar. 


To use, put 2-3 T per cup of milk, heat while stirring frequently.     Serve with marshmallows or whipped cream.     This is a DARK chocolate cocoa ... "too chocolaty" to my dark chocolate loving five year ... so use less powder or cut with milk for the kids.