Indian Pudding Recipe (2024)

Christmas

Home » Christmas

By Tara Noland on | Updated | 10 Comments

Jump to Recipe

This is a recipe I made years and years ago for the first time. The Indian Pudding Recipe has been one that we have loved from the start and have enjoyed it every fall since. I found the recipe in the Moosewood Restaurant Book of Desserts. I have made other recipes from this cookbook but hands down this is our ultimate favorite. Ken has taken over this task and he is the one that now makes this year after year.

Indian Pudding is great served warm or cold and also with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream. It can be made in one large casserole but I prefer to make it in smaller dishes. We have even made it baked in large spoons for a simple little taster for Thanksgiving, when you want to serve other desserts too.

Indian Pudding Recipe (1)

The flavor is just like pumpkin pie but there isn’t any pumpkin in it. The main base besides the spices is cornmeal and eggs. It has a wonderful texture and the perfect amount of pumpkin pie spices. This recipe will become your new fall favorite too! We adore it!!

Indian Pudding Recipe (2)

I have these cute little fall dishes that I traditionally bake it in but you can use any small ramekin. When it is made in smaller dishes it tends to be more silky than if made in one casserole.

This dessert can be traced back to the 1700’s and is a well known staple on Thanksgiving tables in the New England area. It most likely came from English Hasty Pudding but Indian Pudding uses cornmeal instead of wheat flour which was abundant to new settlers. “Indian meal” is what cornmeal used to be called and hence the name of this pudding was born. The pudding bakes in the oven on a low and slow temperature. It would have been baked on the hearth after all the other baking of the day had been done.

Bring some old world tradition to your table with this wonderful, simple pudding that will have everyone raving.

The Recipe

Indian Pudding Recipe (3)

Indian Pudding Recipe

A favorite fall dessert of ours is this Indian Pudding Recipe. It tastes like pumpkin pie with no pumpkin!!

Ingredients

  • 4 cups milk
  • 1/2 cup cornmeal
  • 2 Tbsp. butter
  • 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup molasses
  • 1 tsp. cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp. ginger
  • Pinch of cloves
  • 1/4 tsp. salt
  • 2 large egg, beaten
  • 2 tsp. fresh lemon juice

Instructions

  1. Butter 4-6 custard dishes and set aside. In a large pot, whisk together the milk and cornmeal until smooth. Over medium heat, bring the mixture to a low boil, then turn down the heat and let simmer for 10 min. stirring occasionally. The mixture will become slightly thickened. Remove the pot from the heat.
  2. Preheat the oven to 325F. To the pot add the rest of the ingredients stirring well. Pour the mixture into buttered custard dishes. Place the custard dishes in a baking pan and fill with 1" of boiling water. Place in the oven and bake for 50-75 min. depending on the container shape and size. The pudding should be firmer on the edges and still soft in the middle. Do not over bake as it will become rubbery. Serve warm or cold with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.

Indian Pudding Recipe (4)

Indian Pudding Recipe (5)

Reader Interactions

Let us know what you think!

We’d love to know what you and your family think! Make sure to leave a review below and follow us on your favorite social network!

    Leave A Reply!

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Comments & Reviews

  1. Muriel Moore says

    I have been looking for this recipe for years. I tasted it for the first time in the 60’s when I lived near Detroit. I fell in love with it! Over the years I lost it, but never forgot it’s taste and texture! Will be making this once I get to the grocery store to replenish pantry stores. Anxious!😍

    Reply

  2. Bay says

    Please send me the Indian pudding recipe / from moose wood Restuarant book of deserts. Thanks

    Reply

    • Tara Noland says

      The recipe is in the post here, just above.

      Reply

  3. Dawn Lopez says

    I love trying out new recipes and this Indian Pudding looks amazing! Your little dishes are so cute too. The presentation is so pretty.

    Reply

  4. Kristi says

    I have never had this but it looks and sounds delicious. I am going to pin it and make it this fall.

    Reply

  5. Jaimej says

    What a creative recipe! This looks and sounds delicious! I will definitely make this sometime!

    Reply

  6. Alicia says

    This looks delicious! I’ve never heard of Indian Pudding before but we love things that taste like pumpkin so we’ll have to try it!

    Reply

  7. Amy Desrosiers says

    Indian Pudding is super rich with the spices of fall. I know I love it, and Indian Pudding ice cream.

    Reply

    • Tara Noland says

      OMG, Indian Pudding ice cream, drooling!!

      Reply

Indian Pudding Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the history of Indian pudding? ›

Indian pudding is a classic New England dessert, which, according to culinary lore, dates back to the Pilgrims. It may have its roots in British “hasty pudding,” made from boiling wheat flour in water and milk until it thickened into a porridge.

What are the 3 types of pudding? ›

Baked, steamed, and boiled puddings

Depending on its ingredients, such a pudding may be served as a part of the main course or as a dessert. Steamed pies consisting of a filling completely enclosed by suet pastry are also known as puddings.

What did the Native Americans eat for dessert? ›

Native Americans created a blueberry baked dessert called Saututhig (say 'sawi-taw-teeg'), a simple pudding made with blueberries, cracked corn and water. Try this Blueberry Slump (cobbler) recipe, which may be related to the traditional Native American Saututhig. Download the recipe in English and Spanish.

What is also known as Indian pudding a type of porridge made from cornmeal? ›

Cornmeal pudding, also known as Indian Pudding and Cornmeal Pone - and similar to the English's hasty pudding - has existed in some form for hundreds of years. It was originally found in places where corn and molasses were easily accessible, such as colonial New England and Jamaica.

What is the oldest known dessert of India? ›

MALPUA - THE FAMOUS & THE OLDEST DESSERT OF INDIA.

Why Indian desserts are so sweet? ›

Since the beginning of time, Indian confections have had a long and rich history. Earlier accounts mention Indians making sweet foods with honey, fruits, or dry fruits. Delicious confections for the holiday season were later made using milk and sugar.

What do British call American pudding? ›

American puddings are closer to what the Brits would call "custard." A British pudding is a dish, savory or sweet, that's cooked by being boiled or steamed in something: a dish, a piece of cloth, or even animal intestine.

What is the difference between pudding and custard? ›

Custards are of two types—stirred or baked. They are used as desserts, sauces, bases for other desserts, and some savory dishes, such as a quiche or a frittata. Pudding is a creamy dessert or filling made from eggs, milk, sugar, flavorings, and a thick- ener (such as cornstarch or gelatin).

Is pudding and flan the same thing? ›

However, custard (and therefore flan) is made with eggs and sweetened milk alongside the cream, and flan itself includes caramel. On the other hand, pudding is made with sugar and some kind of starch to thicken the mixture (usually flour or cornstarch).

What did slaves eat for dessert? ›

During the week, if there was a dessert, it would be a piece of corn bread with some molasses poured on top or some fruit. In addition, slave cabins rarely had the cooking equipment or appliances necessary to adequately bake a pie.

What dessert did cowboys eat? ›

Dried apples, raisins and apricots were common, but berries and prunes also were available. In addition to eating it plain, dried fruit reconstituted in water with crumbled biscuits formed the basis of simple steamed cobblers and puddings.

What did Native Americans eat in the morning? ›

Corn porridge was popular among the Native Americans, who called it “sofkee” or “sofgee” and eventually became popular with the colonists. As you might wonder, hoecakes and johnny cakes – otherwise known as corn bread – were also breakfast staples.

What is the oldest American dessert? ›

An irresistible baked pudding that might just be America's oldest dessert! This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy. Indian pudding is a delicious historical dessert first made by American colonists with cornmeal gifted by Native Americans, and molasses.

Why do jamaicans eat cornmeal porridge? ›

Jamaicans believe that porridge makes babies strong and healthy and, for adults, it serves as an affordable, hot, and hearty breakfast that fills you up and sustains you for many hours.

What is boiled pudding called? ›

They are typically boiled or steamed, though some baked variations and recipes adapted for microwave ovens exist. Modern recipes may substitute butter or vegetable shortening for the eponymous suet. Examples include spotted dick, Christmas pudding, treacle pudding, clootie dumpling, jam roly-poly and many others.

What is the history of puddings? ›

Food historians generally agree the first puddings made by ancient cooks produced foods similar to sausages. The British claim pudding as part of their culinary heritage. Medieval puddings (black and white) were still mostly meat-based.

What is the meaning of Indian pudding? ›

noun. a sweet baked pudding made of cornmeal, molasses, milk, and various spices.

What was the original pudding? ›

Christmas Pudding Takes Its Shape

The first was a runny porridge known as “plum pottage” in which any mixture of meats, dried fruits and spices might appear — edibles that could be preserved until the winter celebration. Until the 18th century, "plum” was synonymous with raisins, currants and other dried fruits.

What is the history of figgy pudding? ›

History of Figgy Pudding

Rather than creamy puddings and custards, which Southern cooks are familiar with, this Christmas pudding dates back to medieval England and is a steamed cake full of spices, raisins, and currants soaked in brandy. If it contains figs, it is called a figgy pudding.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Kieth Sipes

Last Updated:

Views: 5514

Rating: 4.7 / 5 (47 voted)

Reviews: 86% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Kieth Sipes

Birthday: 2001-04-14

Address: Suite 492 62479 Champlin Loop, South Catrice, MS 57271

Phone: +9663362133320

Job: District Sales Analyst

Hobby: Digital arts, Dance, Ghost hunting, Worldbuilding, Kayaking, Table tennis, 3D printing

Introduction: My name is Kieth Sipes, I am a zany, rich, courageous, powerful, faithful, jolly, excited person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.