By Jeanni Ritchie
The first recipe for chocolate pudding appeared nearly 300 years ago. Chocolate pudding has been around longer than the United States of America!
The pudding back then was slightly different than the cups we pack in lunchboxes and stock in our fridges now, though. It wasn’t even until later in the 18th century that cooks stopped adding meat to their pudding. And we all laughed when Rachel Green accidentally added beef to her Thanksgiving trifle on Friends!
Chocolate pudding is the main ingredient in my 7-layer dessert trifle (see recipe below). The pudding can also be used in cakes, brownies, cookie bars, parfaits, cupcakes, pies, or just by itself, with or without whipped cream!
One of my go-to “under the weather” meals has always been a cup of Jell-O chocolate pudding, the sweet treat aiding my ailing body while cheering up my mind.
Celebrated annually on June 26, share your love of the chocolatey goodness today with friends and family. Share your stories on social media with the hashtag #nationalchocolatepuddingday.
7-Layer Dessert Trifle:
6-8 brownies, homemade or store-bought
2- 3.9 oz. boxes chocolate pudding, prepared
16 oz. tub Cool Whip
1 bag Oreos, crushed
1 package gummy worms (optional)
Directions:
1.Cut brownies into bite-size squares. Arrange in bottom of trifle dish.
2.Pour 1 box of prepared pudding over the brownies. Top with half the Cool Whip.
3.Spread half the crushed Oreos over the Cool Whip. You can also add additional brownie bites if desired.
4.Repeat the pudding and Cool Whip layers.
5.Top with remaining crushed Oreos. Kid option: Add gummy worms to individual servings for a “mud pie” treat.
Jeanni Ritchie is a contributing journalist, chocoholic, and hobby baker from Central Louisiana. She can be reached at jeanniritchie54@gmail.com.