PEANUT BUTTER AND JELLY PUDDING

Peanut Butter and Jelly Pudding image

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Categories dessert

Time 4h20m

Yield 6 to 8 servings (about 5 cups)

Number Of Ingredients 9

4 1/2 cups whole milk
1 cup sugar
1/3 cup cornstarch
Kosher salt
5 large egg yolks, beaten
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup red grapes, quartered lengthwise, plus 6 to 8 whole grapes for garnish
1/3 cup roasted peanuts, roughly chopped
1/3 cup peanut butter* chips (See Cook's Note)

Steps:

Heat 4 cups of the milk in a large saucepan over medium heat until steaming.
Whisk the sugar, cornstarch and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a large bowl. Whisk in the egg yolks and the remaining 1/2 cup milk.
Whisk half of the hot milk into the egg mixture until smooth, then gradually whisk the egg-milk mixture into the saucepan. Cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, until the mixture boils. Continue to cook, whisking constantly, until it has thickened to a puddinglike consistency, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
Cool slightly, stirring a few times to prevent a skin from forming. Place a piece of plastic wrap directly on top of the pudding and refrigerate until completely cooled and thickened, about 4 hours.
Before serving, whisk the pudding vigorously until smooth and creamy. Gently fold in the grapes, peanuts and peanut butter chips. Spoon the pudding into six to eight individual cups and top each with a single whole grape.