Name: Creamy Peanut Butter Pudding
Prep time: 15 min
Yield: 1 servings
Ingredients: 1/3 cup sugar; 4-1/2 teaspoons cornstarch; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1-1/2 cups milk; 1/2 cup half-and-half cream; 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; Whipped cream and chocolate curls, optional

Peanut butter pudding cooks entirely on the stovetop and can be chilled ahead for make-ahead treats or easy entertaining.

Ingredients

1/3 cup sugar

4-1/2 teaspoons cornstarch

1/4 teaspoon salt

1-1/2 cups milk

1/2 cup half-and-half cream

1/2 cup creamy peanut butter

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Whipped cream and chocolate curls, optional

Instructions

1 Cook the pudding base

2 In a saucepan, whisk together the sugar, cornstarch and salt. Gradually stir in the milk and cream. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, then cook, stirring constantly, for two minutes or until the pudding begins to thicken. Editor’s Tip: A flat whisk or silicone spatula works especially well here for scraping along the bottom and sides of the pan to prevent scorching.

3 Add the peanut butter and vanilla

4 Remove the saucepan from the heat. Stir in the peanut butter and vanilla until the pudding is smooth and glossy. Editor’s Tip: Add the peanut butter right away, while the mixture is still hot, to help it melt and blend into the pudding without streaking.

5 Chill the pudding until it's set

6 Pour the warm pudding into serving dishes. Refrigerate the pudding until it's chilled through and set. Just before serving, top it with whipped cream and chocolate curls, if desired. Editor’s Tip: Press storage wrap directly onto the surface of each bowl of pudding to prevent a skin from forming.