This pudding is much easier than you would think and so much better than instant in a box!
2/3 cu. sugar
1/3 cup.unsweetened cocoa powder
2 tbl. cornstarch
dash of salt
2 1/2 cu. milk
4 large egg yolks
2 tbl. butter
1 tsp. vanilla extract
Whisk together sugar, cocoa, cornstarch and salt in a medium saucepan. Place saucepan on stove and turn heat to low. Whisk in milk, a cup at a time until completely combined. Add in egg yolks, whisking until smooth.
Turn heat up to medium and continue stirring until mixture just starts to boil, just a few bubbles. Turn heat down to low and continue to stir for 2-3 minutes, until mixture thickens.
Place a fine mesh strainer over a bowl and pour pudding through strainer, catching any lumps. Throw remains in strainer away.
Stir butter and vanilla into pudding. Once butter is completely melted spoon pudding into desired serving dishes. Place plastic wrap over surface of pudding, pushing plastic wrap down so there is no air touching pudding.
Chill for 2-3 hours before serving. Garnish with fresh whipped cream if desired.