New-Fashioned Corn Pudding Recipe on Food52 (2024)

FAQs

Why is my corn pudding watery? ›

If your corn pudding is runny, try adding a little extra cornstarch. If you don't have any cornstarch on hand, you can substitute it with flour or arrowroot powder. You'll need some type of thickening agent otherwise, your corn pudding will wind up watery.

Cornbread is a classic semi-sweet Southern quick bread made with yellow cornmeal. Cornbread pudding is made with whole corn, creamed corn, and cornbread mix to create a softer, more souffle-like cake with more moisture content than cornbread.

Corn pudding should have a soft, soufflé-like texture. It should not be dry and firm like cornbread. When finished baking, it should be golden brown around the edges and slightly jiggly in the center. Test for doneness by inserting a knife into the center of the pudding—it should come out clean.

The main difference between the two is texture. Corn pudding has a gelatinous consistency similar to dessert pudding; the casserole is thicker and can hold its shape. Despite the textural difference between corn casserole and pudding, the ingredients are similar.

If you want to try to fix it, you can try dissolving a little bit of cornstarch in water and adding that in. Then try using a handheld or stand mixer to whip the pudding up until is starts to thicken. It will probably never set up completely, though, but it may help a little.

The main difference is the texture. Corn pudding has a similar gelatinous texture to dessert pudding, hence its name, so it's creamy and loose. In comparison, corn casserole has a thicker consistency and holds its shape better than the pudding because it uses thickening agents like instant cornbread mix.

The most common theory is a change in cornmeal itself. Until early in the 20th century, Southern cornmeal was made with sweeter white corn and it was water-ground. When industrial milling came along, that changed. The steel-roller mills used yellow corn that was harvested before it was ripe, so it had less sugar.

It will jiggle slightly, but should not look soupy. Does corn pudding reheat well? Yes! I suggest reheating it in an oven set to about 250 degrees F for the best results.

Here's how to avoid one of the worst kitchen mishaps: overcooking. Egg-based puddings and custards can curdle if cooked beyond 185 degrees.

The simple answer is no. I don't recommend leaving your corn casserole out overnight. Room temperature is the stage where bacterial growth can occur, leading to food poisoning. To ensure the safety and quality of your corn casserole, proper storage is key.

Who invented corn pudding? ›

Corn pudding is the offspring of the marriage of traditional Native American foods and a variation of English savory-custard pudding. Corn puddings have been prepared and served, with few changes in ingredients or culinary technique, for centuries.

Corn pudding is a creamy side made with stewed corn, butter, and milk. It often features a thickening agent, such as cornstarch, to make the dish extra decadent. Corn pudding originated in the American South and can be served all year long, but it's frequently associated with Thanksgiving.

Corn pudding was most likely a simple Native American dish, created from a mixture of fresh sweet corn that was grated off of the cob, water, and the milky liquid that ran from the kernels as they were grated. As the ingredients baked, the starches from the corn thickened the mixture into a custard-like pudding.

You do this by combining equal parts cornstarch and cold water or even cream. They recommend half of a tablespoon of cornstarch for each cup of creamed corn. However, if your creamed corn is really soupy, you will want to use flour to thicken it up. Our Everyday Life suggests using rice flour.

The answer to thick and smooth creamed corn

If you're short on time, add a tablespoon of rice flour straight into the runny mix and stir to combine. If rice flour isn't available, cornstarch, potato starch, or flour are also great thickeners.

You should wipe a clear, clean line through the custard. Remove from heat. The pudding will thicken more as it cools.

If you have additional mix, you can add more to the batter. If you do not have extra cornbread mix, you could use a combination of flour, cornmeal, and a little bit of baking powder to absorb the excess milk and maintain the recipe's integrity.