The cranberry steeping liquid clings to the berries and helps the sugar
adhere for the sparkling, jewel-like effect. You can
use the liquid drained from the
cranberries in cocktails or over ice cream. If you can't find mascarpone
cheese, use regular
cream cheese.
Ingredients:
- 1 1/3 cups granulated sugar, divided $
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup fresh cranberries
- 1/2 cup sparkling white sugar or turbinado sugar
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 1/2 cups fat-free milk, divided $
- 2 large egg yolks
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 4 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped $
- 1 cup frozen fat-free whipped topping, thawed $
- 1/4 cup mascarpone cheese
Preparation
- 1. Combine 1 cup granulated sugar and 1 cup water in a small heavy saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring until sugar dissolves. Bring to a simmer; remove from heat. Combine the sugar syrup and cranberries in a small bowl. Cover and chill for 4 hours.
- 2. Drain cranberries in a colander over a bowl, reserving liquid for another use, if desired. Place sparkling sugar in a shallow dish. Add cranberries, rolling to coat. Spread sugared cranberries in a single layer on a baking sheet; let stand at room temperature 1 hour or until dry.
- 3. Combine remaining 1/3 cup granulated sugar, cornstarch, and salt in a large bowl, stirring well. Combine 1/2 cup milk and egg yolks in a small bowl, stirring with a whisk. Heat remaining 2 cups milk in a medium heavy saucepan to 180° or until tiny bubbles form around edge (do not boil). Stir egg yolk mixture into cornstarch mixture. Gradually add half of hot milk to sugar mixture, stirring constantly with a whisk. Add egg yolk mixture to pan; bring to a boil. Cook 1 minute, stirring constantly with a whisk. Remove from heat. Add vanilla and chocolate, stirring until chocolate melts. Spoon pudding into a bowl; place bowl in a large ice-filled bowl for 15 minutes or until pudding cools, stirring occasionally. Cover surface of pudding with plastic wrap; chill 20 minutes.
- 4. Combine whipped topping and mascarpone in a bowl, stirring until well blended. Spoon about 1/3 cup pudding into each of 8 bowls or footed glasses; top each serving with about 3 tablespoons mascarpone mixture and about 2 tablespoons cranberries.