Buzz
I can’t decide if it’s the hormones or the Valentine’s Day hype, but lately, my chocolate cravings have been out of control. The need has been so intense that I actually baked a chocolate cake (and for someone who never bakes, that’s a sign things are serious). The cake, topped with this simple two-ingredient frosting, is almost gone, so it’s time to come up with a new solution that doesn’t involve baking. It seems Food52 heard my unspoken wish and delivered with this Greek yogurt chocolate pudding.
This dessert delivers the same satisfaction as chocolate pudding, much like how chocolate frozen yogurt serves as an alternative to ice cream. It hits all the right chocolate notes, satisfies a sweet tooth, and adds a tangy twist that neither pudding nor ice cream can match. Plus, if you like to feel a bit smug about your healthier choices, a yogurt-based dessert can provide just the right amount of that.
Does it taste good? Absolutely. The recipe creator describes it as 'a fusion of tangy YoCrunch vanilla yogurt with Oreo crumbles and a chocolate Snack Pack.' It’s also quite flexible. The ingredients list includes half a cup of full-fat Greek yogurt, two tablespoons of Dutch-processed cocoa powder, two tablespoons of heavy cream, a tablespoon of maple syrup, a teaspoon of vanilla, and a pinch of salt. I didn’t have Dutch-processed cocoa powder, ran out of vanilla, and forgot the salt, but I still ended up with a creamy, smooth chocolate dessert. (I also added a tablespoon of powdered sugar for extra sweetness and plan to try it with a dash of instant espresso powder next time.)
The recipe suggests using a stand mixer with a paddle attachment to combine everything, but there was no way I was pulling out my KitchenAid for just a single serving of almost-pudding. Thankfully, an immersion blender does the job just as well. Simply toss all the ingredients into a tall cup, then dip the blender in and move it up and down slowly (scraping the sides as needed) until you achieve a smooth and glossy 'pudding.' Serve in a charming glass or teacup, topped with whipped cream, berries, crushed Oreos, and/or gummy worms (to make a 'better-for-you' dirt cup).
