Mexican Chocolate Pudding
April 13, 2010
Mexican Chocolate Pudding
There is a scene in the movie Chocolat where Juliette Binoche’s character, Vianne, serves a teacup of hot chocolate to one of the disapproving townspeople (the people of the repressed village are appalled when Vianne opens a chocolaterie during Lent). It appears thick and rich like hot fudge sauce and is spiced with cinnamon and cayenne to bring out the intensity of the chocolate, Vianne explains. After one sip the suspecting woman nearly falls off her chair swooning over the deliciousness of the concoction, embarrassed by her reaction during a period of penance and fasting. It’s one of my favorite scenes, though always leaves me longing for a big mug of hot chocolate and a box of truffles.
Speaking of, a recent craving led me to the pantry where I rummaged for a bag of chocolate chips or a bittersweet chocolate baking bar, usual suspects on the baking shelf. But my search came up short, save a canister of unsweetened cocoa powder and three jars of ground cinnamon (a sign that I need to take inventory more often) which inspired this recipe for Mexican hot chocolate, in pudding form. The addition of cinnamon and cayenne are so intriguing and delicious. I didn’t think it was possible to improve on chocolate.
Mexican Chocolate Pudding
- 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- pinch cayenne (optional)
- 1/8 tsp kosher salt
- 2 cups lowfat milk
- 1/2 tsp vanilla
In a medium saucepan combine cocoa, sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, cayenne and salt. Over medium heat, whisk in milk. Stirring constantly, bring mixture to a boil. Continue whisking until mixture thickens, about 4 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla. (If you find your pudding has become lumpy, press through a fine-mesh strainer.) Transfer to a heat proof bowl or individual ramekins. Allow to cool for a couple minutes then cover with plastic wrap, pressing the plastic wrap onto the top of the pudding to prevent a skin from forming.
Refrigerate for at least 2 hours or until completely chilled.
Makes 4 1/2-cup servings.
Estela @ Weekly Bite
April 13, 2010 at 12:16 pm
This looks delicious!!! I love all of those flavors!!
Laura
April 13, 2010 at 4:58 pm
YUM.
Allison from "a for aubergine"
April 13, 2010 at 6:34 pm
I love that movie and it always makes me want to gorge myself with dark chocolate. The movie makes eating chocolate look so sexy and that it won’t do anything to your waist line, lol! Did you recently watch that movie? Now I really want to watch it this week!
Tracy
April 14, 2010 at 10:13 am
The homemade peanut butter cups are dwindling…I know what recipe I’m making next. :)
Mo
April 14, 2010 at 4:50 pm
I just found you on Tastespotting. The first thing that stuck out, oddly enough, was your name, which I actually saw before I saw the picture of this pudding. I love the name of your blog. Love love love. :)
And it’s a bonus that this looks delicious and I want to make it.
And another bonus that I adore anything with Juliette Binoche in it, especially Chocolat. <3
Nicole
April 15, 2010 at 12:14 pm
I’m not a huge chocolate person, but that movie does make me crave it! Looks like an intriguing recipe.
Coco
April 15, 2010 at 12:32 pm
I LOVE Chocolat! One of my favorite movies ( I actually love any movie that has Juliette Binoche in it…The English Patient..so good!) This sounds delectable, I’ve never had Mexican pudding and but I love the idea of spicing up a sweet treat with a pinch of cayenne! Muy Bien!
Stephanie
April 15, 2010 at 10:31 pm
I’ve had Mexican hot chocolate, but never pudding. I do have all the ingredients…it might be my next dessert to make.
The movie Chocolate is good, but what makes it funnier is that the only reason why I watched it in the first place was because they kept mentioning it on the movie I Love You, Man.
Sarah
April 17, 2010 at 9:59 am
What a great movie (Johnny and chocolate-what’s not to love!) and idea for pudding. This sounds like a yummy yet quick homemade alternative to that boring boxed pudding. I love the idea of adding a little spice to cocoa – a bit exotic!
M.
April 29, 2010 at 10:37 am
I love Chocolat and chocolate in general….I’m actually addicted…tried to quit…..but…..why??? ;)
Your chocolate pudding looks really good and spicing it up with cinnamon and cayenne just sounds great!