This is not the chocolate pudding you remember. No plastic cups or jello-like consistency, this swanky dessert is quick and easy to prepare. All you need are some measuring cups, a saucepan and a hotplate to make this velvet chocolate dessert happen. Pour the prepared pudding into individual mason jars and use them to treat your friends or woo your campus crush.

Ingredients:

1/3 cup sugar

1/4 cup cocoa powder

3 tablespoons cornstarch

1/4 teaspoon salt

2-1/4 cups milk

2 tablespoons butter or margarine

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 cup good quality chocolate

Method:

1. Stir together sugar, cocoa, cornstarch and salt in medium saucepan; gradually stir in milk.

2. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture boils; boil and stir 1 minute. Remove from heat; stir in chocolate, butter and vanilla. Pour into individual mason jars. To avoid a skin from forming on top, press plastic wrap directly onto surface; serve warm or refrigerate at least 2 hours. Pudding will thicken as it cools. Recipe makes 4 servings.

Hot Hint: Make sure you stir the mixture continually as it warms. If you don’t, your pudding will end up lumpy. Lumpy food is never good… ever.