June 26: For National Chocolate Pudding Day: Homemade Chocolate Pudding & Vanilla Pudding Mix

In America, chocolate pudding is a chocolate flavored custard. In Britain, chocolate pudding is more of a dense cake, and the word "pudding" itself can be a generic term for "dessert."

June 26 is America's National Chocolate Pudding Day, so make some mix to have ready. I have included a Vanilla Pudding Mix, too-just for fun.

Chocolate Pudding Mix
3 cups cornstarch
1 teaspoon salt
2 1/2 cups unsweeteened cocoa powder
5 cups sugar

Mix all ingredients together until well blended. Store in a large airtight container or jar.

To Prepare Pudding: Stir mix before using. Measure out 2/3 cup of mix into a medium saucepan. Add 2 cups milk, one teaspoon vanilla and one tablespoon butter. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until mixture comes to a boil. Continue cooking and stirring for one minute. Remove from heat and let cool.

Vanilla Pudding Mix

3 cups instant nonfat dry milk
4 cups granulated sugar
1 teaspoon salt
3 cups cornstarch

Combine milk, sugar, salt and cornstarch in a food processor and process until uniform. You may need to do this in 2-3 batches. Store mix in airtight canister or a closely covered jar.

To prepare pudding: Stir the mix in the canister before measuring out 1/2 cup mix into a pan. Add 2 cups milk AND 1 teaspoon of vanilla and cook over low heat, stirring until mixture thickens and comes to a boil. Continue stirring for 1 minute, remove from heat and pour into individual serving dishes. Pudding will thicken further as it cools. Makes 8 cups of milk.