Indian pudding is a classic New England dessert that combines cornmeal, milk, molasses, and spices into a rich, custardy pudding. Despite its name, it has no connection to India; it was inspired by early colonial settlers adapting Native American ingredients. Here’s how to make a warm and comforting Indian pudding.

Ingredients

  • 4 cups whole milk (or a mix of milk and heavy cream for a richer texture)
  • 1/2 cup cornmeal
  • 1/2 cup molasses
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 2 large eggs, beaten
  • Vanilla ice cream or whipped cream (optional, for serving)

Instructions

  1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C).
  2. Prepare the Milk and Cornmeal: In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, heat the milk over medium heat until it’s warm, but not boiling. Gradually whisk in the cornmeal, stirring constantly to avoid lumps. Continue to cook, stirring frequently, until the mixture begins to thicken (about 10 minutes).
  3. Add Sweeteners and Spices: Remove the saucepan from heat. Stir in the molasses, brown sugar, granulated sugar, butter, salt, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg. Mix well.
  4. Temper the Eggs: In a separate bowl, whisk the beaten eggs. Slowly add a bit of the hot milk mixture into the eggs while whisking to temper them. Then add the egg mixture back into the pot, stirring constantly to incorporate.
  5. Bake the Pudding: Pour the mixture into a buttered 2-quart baking dish. Bake in the preheated oven for about 1.5 to 2 hours, or until the pudding is set but still slightly wobbly in the center.
  6. Serve: Let the pudding cool for at least 20-30 minutes before serving. Indian pudding is best served warm, topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.

Tips

  • The long bake time allows the flavors to develop and the pudding to thicken.
  • The pudding may appear runny when it first comes out of the oven but will thicken as it cools.

Enjoy this comforting dessert!

Image from Simply Recipes