Chocolate Custard

Prep Time: 5

Cook Time: 5

Total Time: 10

Servings: people

PREP INGREDIENTS: Chop 2 ounces dark chocolate into small pieces.
To a saucepan off the heat, add 2 cups milk, 7 tablespoons sugar, 5 tablespoons cornstarch, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.
Whisk until the cornstarch is dissolved.
COOK AND STIR: Bring the saucepan to the stove top and stir on medium heat until the liquid thickens (2 to 5 minutes depending on quantities).
Turn the heat off and add the chopped chocolate. Whisk for 1 more minute or until the chocolate melts.
When the chocolate is fully incorporated your custard is ready.
COOL DOWN: The best and fastest way to cool it is to transfer it to a cold glass or metal bowl.
Put the bowl bain marie inside another bowl or pot filled with cold water and whisk it until you reach a lukewarm temperature.

SUBSTITUTIONS

Milk: you can use cow's milk or non-dairy milk such as soy, almond, oat, and rice milk.
Sugar: you can use white or brown sugar.
Dark chocolate: you can substitute your favorite chocolate for dark chocolate. Keep in mind that if you use a sweet chocolate you might want to reduce the sugar in the recipe.
Cornstarch: you can substitute potato starch.
Vanilla extract: you can substitute orange aroma or zest, or you can use both orange and vanilla extract.

STORAGE

Refrigerate up to 3 days after cooling, with plastic wrap touching the surface to prevent skin formation.
Not suitable for freezing.
Reheat on low heat with a little plant milk, stirring.
If lumps form during storage, use an immersion blender to smooth them out.

TIPS

Always add cornstarch to a cold liquid off the heat to prevent lumps formation.
Smaller batches take less cooking time while bigger batches can take up to 5 minutes.
The custard keeps thickening as it cools down, so my advice is to remove it from the heat a few seconds before you think it is ready.
To check if your custard is ready take a wooden or silicone spatula, dip it in the custard, then run a finger through it. If the spatula stays clean, the custard is ready.