Description
Indian Pudding is a traditional New England dessert featuring a creamy, slowly baked pudding made from cornmeal, molasses, and warm spices. This comforting dish offers a rich blend of sweetness and spice, perfect for cozy gatherings or a nostalgic treat.
Ingredients
Milk Mixture
- 4 cups milk
- 1/2 cup cornmeal
Sweeteners and Spices
- 1/2 cup molasses
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Fat
- 2 tablespoons butter
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 300°F (150°C) to prepare for slow baking of the pudding.
- Warm Milk: Heat the milk gently in a saucepan until it is warm but not boiling, which helps in evenly cooking the cornmeal.
- Cook Cornmeal: Gradually whisk the cornmeal into the warm milk, stirring continuously until the mixture begins to thicken slightly, ensuring there are no lumps.
- Add Sweeteners and Spices: Stir in the molasses, sugar, cinnamon, ginger, salt, and butter into the cornmeal mixture, blending well for an even distribution of flavors.
- Transfer and Bake: Pour the combined mixture into a baking dish suitable for the oven.
- Bake Slowly: Place the dish in the oven and bake for 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Stir the pudding once midway through the baking time to help even cooking and prevent a crust from forming.
- Serve Warm: Remove from the oven and serve the pudding warm, optionally with cream or ice cream for added richness.
Notes
- Traditionally served with cream or ice cream to enhance the creamy texture and complement the warm spices.
- Slow baking is essential as it develops the pudding’s deep, rich flavor and thickens the texture perfectly.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
