TWD::Split Level Pudding

I was so excited when I got the Okey Dokey to join this group and doubly excited when I found out we were making this Split Level Pudding! When I first got my book, Baking From My Home to Yours by Dorie Greenspan, I couldn't put it down. I've flipped thru the pages so many times I can't even count! One of the many recipes that caught my eye from the beginning was this one.

I've never made a pudding from scratch before, so I was excited and nervous for the challenge. Since I didn't want to make a full batch, I took the advice from my friend Holly from Phemomenon and made everything in the microwave and just used my massive (not really) arm muscles to whisk everything together into a smooth, creamy, dreamy creation. I halved the batch, and as much as I completely {LOVE} this split level pudding recipe, I KNOW I wouldn't be able to stop at just one little ramekin full. Whew! Saved those inches and pants from sheer and utter disaster! Seriously, this pudding is amazing! There's so very little chocolate in the bottom that you wonder how it's going to make any kind of impact in this treat, but Oh Man! The combination of bittersweet chocolate and heavy cream packs a serious chocolaty punch!

Oh and let's not forget that oh so amazing vanilla pudding on top! I don't know if it really should be called a pudding because to me it tasted more like a fantastically creamy custard. Yes! Custard! Anything that is good in this world goes with custards! I cannot get enough! Maybe next time I'll dress up the chocolate with some surprise flavors to spice things up and then top it with the vanilla pudding from heaven!

Oh and just in case you were wondering...this recipe took less than 30 minutes to complete. Of course, Dorie does say to chill in the fridge for 4 hours...NO WAY! I popped them into the freezer, covered for 1 hour. It was a breeze! If I can make pudding from scratch, so can YOU!

To see more, visit Garrett's website at The Flavor of Vanilla.