Vanilla or Chocolate Pudding

2/3 cup sugar
1/4 cup cornstarch
1/4 tsp salt
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (if making chocolate)
2 1/2 cups milk
4 large egg yolks
2 Tbsp unsalted butter, cut into pieces
1 tsp vanilla extract

Place a fine-mesh sieve over a medium bowl, set aside. In a medium saucepan, off heat, whisk together sugar, cornstarch, and salt. If making Chocolate Pudding, add cocoa powder. Very gradually (a few tablespoons at a time) whisk in milk, taking care to dissolve cornstarch. Whisk in egg yolks.

Whisking constantly, cook over medium heat until the first large bubble forms and sputters. Reduce heat to low; still whisking, cook 1 minute. Remove from heat; immediately pour through sieve into bowl. Stir butter and vanilla into hot pudding.

Place plastic wrap directly on surface of pudding (to prevent skin from forming); chill at least 3 hours and up to 3 days. Before serving, whisk pudding until smooth; divide among four serving dishes.

Everyday Food recipe