TWD: Triple Layer Pudding May Be The Best Dessert Ever. Just Ask St. Peter.

I am still blogging sans camera.  A little piece of me is missing.  

I was supposed to receive my camera back today.  But then this past weekend, I received an automated message from Best Buy's Geek Squad informing me that, due to server changes (or something like that), my reunion with my camera was to be delayed.  The automated machine then thanked me for understanding.

But the problem was, there was no understanding!  How could I be thanked for something I am not giving?  That is the problem with these automated systems these days. No human contact. No sympathy, no understanding, no typical "I'm sorry to hear about that" response as they furiously type away on the other end. Nothing. 

So, unfortunately, my heart has not been into blogging lately and I apologize for that. I have also been a bad blogging buddy, falling behind on commenting on other blogs that I LOVE SO MUCH so I'm really sorry about that. But I'm sad. I miss making sets although I really don't make sets, so I miss wishing I made sets. I miss running from my kitchen to my living room window (which is only about 17 feet away), food in hand, to set up shots.  I miss eating slightly cold food that I don't care is slightly cold because I knew I got a great shot.  I even miss Tastespotting's "Unflattering Composition" rejection note when the shot that I thought was great was apparently not so great. 

Due to my lackluster feelings about blogging, I waited until last minute with this one. As in, it is 5:28 and I just finished making it.  And I am now so mad at the Geek Squad for not getting my camera back in time, because this is, by far, one of my FAVORITE DESSERTS EVER. Not just Dorie dessert. I mean dessert PERIOD.

I used a layer of chocolate ganache, a layer of homemade dulce de leche (which I can never remember if it is du leche or de leche), and then topped with with Dorie's vanilla pudding and some shaved chocolate. I lamely placed my glass on the table, tried to get the best lighting possible (really, what for?), and took some shots. I must say, it was slightly a relief to not have to take 100+ shots of the same thing to sift through for that one good shot, because I wanted a bite. 

I grabbed a spoon and plunged it into the glass, watching the stem of the spoon descend further and further into the pillowy layers. I had a taste.  

Pure. Heaven. 

Like, so heavenly that St. Peter himself would abandon the gates to heaven leaving one of those clock notes that says "Be Back at 1" with the little arrow pointing to 1 o'clock to come to my kitchen and have a bite. 

I first tasted the contrast between still-warm bittersweet chocolate ganache and the sweet, cool, creamy vanilla pudding.  But then the thick dulce de (du?) leche came through, completing the trio with a complex, rich finish. I almost felt as if I was a kid eating an ice cream sundae at (GASP!) Friendly's (seriously, gasp. Sorry to ruin the elegance of it all) but really, I was an almost 28-year old (DOUBLE GASP) adult eating a very elegant dessert. 

I only wanted one bite and was only planning on taking one bite because I had just finished a great workout and am really trying to watch what I eat, but I couldn't resist. I had to have three bites. Maybe four. 

This dessert will DEFINITELY make it on to some dessert party catering lists for my new catering venture. Definitely. Without a doubt. Hands down. Holla at ya. 

Thank you to Garrett of Flavor of Vanilla (click for recipe) for the fantastic choice.  And check out the rest of TWD!

UPDATE:   I must note that I did not combine the vanilla pudding and the chocolate ganache in the before chilling.  I first chilled the pudding, then warmed up the ganache (which gets hard after refrigeration) right before plating.  If you put this constructed dessert in the fridge, the ganache and the dulce de leche will firm up and it will not be good! Heed my warning! 

Comments

[Nancy (n.o.e.)]

I thought the two levels were schizophrenic but I think your three levels would be perfectly balanced. So glad you made this one and that you loved it so much!! Hang in there - better blogging days are coming.

[CarolPeterman]

I am right there with you on this one, loved it! Though you really took it over the top with dulce de leche. Great job.

[Desiree Morgan-Castelalr]

O my goodness this really sounds like heaven!! Can you say thanksgiving?? yum Ill be waiting for it. And I think it is de leche in Spanish...i love that..congratulations another winner

[jenn]

I know that feel from getting the automated response. It sucks. but this pudding would sure definitely perk up my spirits. It already has just by looking at it.

[Eliana]

This is my favorite take on this dessert as this chica luuuuuv dulce "de" leche. Bravo!

[Charli]

Dulce de leche in the middle--wow that does sound incredible! I'm getting ready to start submitting my first stuff to tastespotting, so I'll have to ready myself for the rejection letters..

[Caitlin]

Just gilding the lily with that dulce de leche, aren't you? ;) As for the automated messages - hells, yes. I totally agree with you. Let me talk to a person any day! I hope you get your camera back soon!

[Sugar B]

Dude you always crack me up. So this is your best tasting favorite all time dessert ever?! Wow, that is saying a lot.

And your picture looks fine!

I thought the pudding was ok, but I didn't do dulce, so maybe that was the missing piece.

I am still missing Eric Northman. Booooo.

[Natasha - 5 Star Foodie]

It must be so hard without your camera. Mine went beserk the other day and I totally panicked but after several resettings it's ok, at least for now.

The pudding with three layers sounds wonderful!

[Jen @ My Kitchen Addiction]

I think the dulce de leche sounds perfect... Great addition! Hope you get your camera back soon! If you were nearby, I'd let you use mine.. Your food is far more photo-worthy than mine!

[Andrea@WellnessNotes]

I hope you and your camera get reunited very, very soon!

The dessert sounds sooo good. I want a bite right now! I'm serious... :)

[Ann]

ROFL on the St.Peter quip. Priceless.
Kudos on the dulce de leche layer that you cleverly slipped in.

[Tracey]

You're so funny! I hope the Geek Squad comes through for you soon and gets that camera back in your hands. Sounds like your pudding turned out well. I wasn't so lucky with mine but maybe if I'd added dulce de leche it would have been better :)

[Katrina]

Wow, that is some serious dessert lovin'!
Mmm, dulce duh caramel! ;)

[Mike]

I thought Geeks were techy and quick! Of course you come through with shining colors - or layers is it may be. Fantastic!!! Love the dulce de leche!!! That's so you - you'd never know it was a lackluster dish!

[Hilary]

Aw, you poor thing. I wouldn't be feeling motivated to blog without my camera, either. Here's hoping for a swift and speedy reunion for the two of you!

[grace]

my camera and i have a special bond, too, so i can understand your agony. no doubt this gorgeous tiered goo alleviated some of that. :)

[Spike]

wow, love the added dulce de leche layer- pure genius!

[steph (whisk/spoon)]

"de leche," right? sounds like you made a good thing a hundred times better! sorry to hear about your camera...that's crappy...there's be no understanding on my part either, if it happened to me.

[Jill]

Wow, adding the dulce de leche (I do not care how it's spelled!) to the mix sounds so delicious!

Hang in there. Your camera will be back. Maybe your first catering job will be for the Geek Squad!