Loosely adapted from https://www.cookscountry.com/recipes/10836-classic-vanilla-pudding
Ingredients
2-3/4 cups milk
1/2 vanilla bean
1/2 cup sugar
4 yolks
2 T butter
2 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 cup (4 T) cornstarch
Instructions
Heat all but 1/4 cup of milk, sugar, salt, and vanilla bean in large saucepan on medium until simmering; stir to dissolve sugar/salt
Let sit 15-20 min to steep vanilla bean
Whisk cornstarch & remaining milk ~15 seconds or until no lumps, then add yolks and whisk ~30 seconds until incorporated
Bring liquid back to a simmer/slightly steaming; remove from heat & temper yolks by slowly adding hot milk mixture to yolk mixture while whisking
Return mixture to saucepan, back on medium heat, whisk constantly until thickened and 180° throughout (~1 minute)
Remove from heat, add butter & vanilla extract
Strain through fine-mesh strainer into bowl
Optional (we usually skip this step, although we do cover the bowl): Use parchment paper sprayed with vegetable oil on surface to prevent a "skin" forming on the top
Refrigerate 3+ hours