Not Without Salt

What’s better than coffee – black as sin with brushes of hot steam tickling your nose and teasing you with its black currant and tobacco notes before your lips ever touch the edge of your favorite mug?

Not much.

May I dare suggest a slightly thickened version of your favorite beverage that rivals a hot cup o’ joe in matters of things pleasurable and caffeinated?

I’m talking pudding, coffee pudding.

Served gently chilled, impossibly creamy and adorned with a healthy heap of sweetened whipped cream imitating the velvety foam of a perfectly frothed Cappuccino.

Coffee pudding.

While I won’t replace my morning latte with this pudding I will, however, reach for this dessert to end a perfectly satisfying meal.

Coffee Pudding

This dessert is perfect for entertaining as it can be made up to 1 day in advance. Feel free to use decaf coffee – I use the real stuff as I have 3 young kids and there is no amount of coffee that can keep me awake once to heavy head hits my down pillow.

1 1/2 cups heavy cream (I’m sure half and half would work too, maybe

1/2 cup espresso, or strong brewed coffee

2 tablespoons cornstarch

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 cup brown sugar

In a medium sauce pan combine the cream and coffee and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Watch closely as cream boils over quickly and is a disaster to clean up – speaking from experience.

In a small bowl combine the cornstarch, salt and sugar. Whisk to remove any and all lumps.

Once cream and coffee are simmering add the dry ingredients and whisk to combine. Boil gently for 1 minute. Pour hot pudding through a fine strainer to remove any little cornstarchy clumps.

Pour into serving dishes then cover the surface with plastic wrap to prevent a skin from forming. Refrigerate until set, at least 3 hours.

Serve with sweetened whipped cream.

Sweet Whipped Cream

2 cups heavy cream

3 tablespoons sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Combine all ingredients and whisk until medium peaks form. Chill until ready to serve.

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