Easy Homemade Chocolate Pudding

One thing that I've been trying to do more is make homemade versions of things that I would buy pre-packaged or use store-bought mixes for (granola bars, muffins, brownies, cakes, breads, etc).

Next to be tackled was chocolate pudding. This is an easy, relatively healthy dessert. And it's a great recipe for kids to help with.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 C. sugar
• 1/4 C. cocoa powder
• 1/4 C. corn starch
• pinch of salt
• 3 C. milk
• 2 Tbsp. butter
• 1 tsp. vanilla

In a medium-sized saucepan, mix the sugar, cocoa, corn starch, and salt. Turn on the heat to medium and slowly pour in the milk, whisking constantly so that no lumps form. Continue whisking for about 10 minutes, until the mixture has thickened and is starting to bubble. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the butter and vanilla. Allow the pudding to cool completely before serving or refrigerating. The pudding will thicken more as it cools, so don't worry if it still looks a little thin. If you have some of those small reusable containers, it's great to store the pudding in the fridge in those. Makes 6-8 servings.