TWD: Chocolate Pudding

As a child, I spent many summers visiting my mother's parents. For the most part I would stay with them as I was closer to my mom's side of my family than my dad's. However, there would be many an afternoon where I would visit my great grandmother or my dad's grandma. One of the things I looked forward to every visit was her homemade chocolate pudding. She would serve it up warm with a big dollop of Cool Whip on top which I would then swirl into the chocolate pudding. Not real whipped cream but the creamy tubbed kind. To this day, it is one of my favorite memories and favorite desserts. Like many kids of my generation, I grew up on boxed Jello Instant pudding and I do enjoy it from time to time. But it will never hold a candle to my great grandmother's chocolate pudding.

Unfortunately it has been many years since I have seen her due to a falling out with my father and his side of the family. A long story and not one meant for this post but I always wished I could visit her once more as she was getting on years and I enjoyed my time with her. Sadly, school and then work took over for a few years and I was not able to do so as she passed away just this past Fourth of July. As much as I missed the time we spent together and was sad over the loss of her, I was excited to make this weeks selection for Tuesdays with Dorie. Melissa of Its Melissa's Kitchen chose for us...chocolate pudding!

I was not able to make this recipe until Sunday because my mother and younger sisters were visiting over the weekend and we had a Six Flags packed weekend. Once they had headed back home, I got to work making this chocolatey delight. I do not know my grandmother's exact recipe so I can't saw for sure if it is similar or the same. But it was quick and easy as well as delicious! I was out of Cool Whip and heavy cream for whipping so I had to do without (there was no way I was leaving my apartment that late on a Sunday!). Dorie mentions a nut mixture that could be added in between layers of the pudding and I just so happened to have some chopped pecans leftover from some absolutely delicious chocolate chip cookies I made (and that recipe will be up later this week!). I spooned some of the pudding into little ramekins, then added the nuts followed by another few spoonfuls of the pudding.

It was so tasty! The nuts added some nice crunch to the otherwise smooth mixture. I did miss the Cool Whip on top but I enjoyed the pudding nonetheless. I'll definitely have to make the pudding again next time I have some! Oh...I used non fat milk instead of whole and I honestly couldn't tell a difference. It was still rich and creamy. It was probably slightly sweeter than Dorie intended because I used semi-sweet chocolate instead of bittersweet (yuck...not a fan of it). Though Dorie recommends cooling it in the fridge for at least 4 hours, I couldn't help myself and ate one of them still warm. yuuuum! Thanks Melissa for the great pick!

Next week will be Cherry Rhubarb Cobbler chosen by Amanda of Like Sprinkles on a Cupcake. While I try to stay as close to the recipe as possible, I may have to sub strawberries for the cherries as I don't like cooked cherries (love cherry flavor but not the actual fruit..go figure).

For more chocolate pudding, go to the TWD blogroll for more!

For this weeks recipe, go to Its Melissa's Kitchen or get the book for yourself!