Hot chocolate pudding

Ingredients:

• 4.5 cups whole milk
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 2/3 cup hot chocolate or cocoa mix, plus extra for topping
• 1/3 cup cornstarch
• 5 large egg yolks, beaten
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• Whipped cream, for decoration

Preparation:

1. In a large saucepan, heat 4 cups milk over medium heat until steaming.
2. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine sugar, hot chocolate mix, cornstarch, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Stir in the egg yolks and the remaining 1/2 cup milk.
3. Gradually add half of the hot milk to the egg mixture, whisking constantly until smooth. Then gradually add the egg-milk mixture to the remaining hot milk in the saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Continue cooking, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens to a pudding-like consistency, 3-4 minutes. Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
4. Let the pudding cool slightly, stirring it a few times to prevent a skin from forming. Place a piece of plastic wrap directly on the surface of the pudding and refrigerate until completely cool and thickened, about 4 hours.
5. Before serving, whisk the pudding vigorously until smooth and silky. Spoon into serving bowls, top with whipped cream, and drizzle with hot chocolate mixture.