Decadent Vanilla Pudding

Indulge in the rich and creamy flavors of this decadent vanilla pudding, topped with whipped cream and dulce de leche. Perfect for a fancy dessert or a special treat.

Ingredients

¾	cup sugar
3	tablespoons cornstarch
3	cups half-and-half or milk
4	egg yolks, beaten
1	tablespoon butter
2	teaspoons vanilla extract or vanilla bean, split and scraped
	whipped cream (optional, to serve)
6	tablespoons dulce de leche (optional, to serve)

Instructions

• 1. In a saucepan, combine sugar and cornstarch. Stir in the half-and-half and cook over medium heat until the mixture is thickened and bubbly. Continue to cook and stir for an additional 2 minutes.
  2. Remove the saucepan from the heat. Gradually add 1 cup of the hot mixture to the beaten egg yolks in a thin stream, whisking vigorously. Scrape the hot egg mixture back into the saucepan. Cook and stir over medium heat until the mixture is thickened and smooth. Be careful not to let it boil. Remove from heat and stir in the butter and vanilla extract. Pour the pudding into serving bowls or ramekins. Cover the surface directly with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for approximately 2 hours.
  3. When ready to serve, top the vanilla pudding with whipped cream and dulce de leche according to your preference.
  4. NOTE: For an enhanced flavor using a vanilla bean instead of extract, add the split and scraped vanilla bean when combining the sugar, cornstarch, and half-and-half in step 1. Remember to remove the vanilla bean pod before proceeding to step 2.

Jul 19, 2024