Christmas chocolate pudding

Ingredients for 2 servings:

• 2 tbsp sugar (approx. 40 g)
• 1 tbsp, heaped cocoa powder, unsweetened
• 50 g dark chocolate, can be increased up to 100 g
• 40 g butter
• 500 ml milk
• 100 ml water
• 1 star anise
• 1 cinnamon stick(s)
• 2 cloves
• 40 g cornstarch or 1 packet of vanilla pudding powder
• 1 packet of vanilla sugar, as needed

Instructions

Working time approx. 15 minutes; Cooking/baking time approx. 30 minutes; Total time approx. 45 minutes

Combine the water and 400 ml of milk in a saucepan, add the sugar, cocoa powder, butter, cloves, star anise, and cinnamon stick. Bring to a boil and let it steep for 1/4 hour (without boiling, at most at a gentle simmer). Then remove the star anise, cloves, and cinnamon stick with a spoon or pour the liquid through a sieve. Whisk together 100 ml of milk and the cornstarch or custard powder and pour into the boiling milk. Bring to a boil while stirring, then pour directly from the pan into suitable containers. Allow to cool, then enjoy warm or cold from the refrigerator.