Creamy Chocolate Pudding - cooking recipe

Ingredients

5 tablespoons Dutch-processed cocoa powder
1/4 cup cornstarch
1/2 cup sugar, plus
2 tablespoons sugar
1 pinch salt
1/2 teaspoon instant espresso (if not available, can use instant coffee)
2 cups low-fat milk (can use regular milk, if desired)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preparation

Sift all dry ingredients together in a bowl and mix until combined.
Place mixture in a medium saucepan.
Stir in just enough milk to create a smooth paste. (I use a wire whisk).
Gradually mix in remaining milk.
Cook over medium heat and stir slowly and constantly until mixture thickens and starts to boil. Let it boil another 30 seconds or so, gently stirring constantly.
Remove from the heat and gently stir in vanilla.
Pour pudding into 3 or 4 dessert dishes and chill until set, about 4 hours.