If it is difficult to get your kids to drink enough milk, try serving this delicious nursery dessert. It is especially fun when made in an animal-shape mould.

Ingredients (Serves 4)

• 4 tablespoons cornflour
• 600 ml/1 pt milk
• 85 g/3 oz plain chocolate, broken into pieces
• 2 tablespoons caster sugar

Method:

In a medium bowl, blend the cornflour with 3 tablespoons milk to form a smooth paste. Pour the remaining milk into a saucepan and bring to the boil. Remove from the heat and pour the milk onto the cornflour paste, stirring continuously.

Return the milk mixture to the saucepan, add the chocolate pieces and bring to the boil, stirring until thickened. Cook for 3 minutes more, stirring continuously. Remove from the heat and stir in the sugar.

Pour into a 600-ml/1-pt mould and leave to set for 3 to 4 hours. To serve, dip the mould in a bowl of hot water and invert the blancmange onto a diner plate.

Store in the refrigerator. This blancmange can be made up to 1 day before serving.