The Simplest Corn Pudding

The Simplest Corn Pudding
Andrew Scrivani for The New York Times
Total Time
40 minutes
Rating
4(246)
Notes
Read community notes

This recipe is deliberately, exquisitely simple, with pure sweet corn flavor. Grate corn kernels directly into a cast-iron pan and place in the oven, without any seasonings. The corn releases its milk, which thickens, and the kernels turn golden and lightly caramelized around the edges. Only then do you season it, and only lightly: A bit of butter, a sprinkle of salt and cayenne, and the juice of half a lime. Mix. Serve. Adding the seasoning at the end allows you to better control the taste of the finished dish. —Elaine Louie

Featured in: The Temporary Vegetarian: The Simplest Corn Pudding

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Ingredients

Yield:3 servings
  • 8ears of corn, husked
  • 1tablespoon butter
  • Salt
  • Cayenne pepper
  • Half a lime
Ingredient Substitution Guide

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Heat oven to 350 degrees. Place a box grater on a medium cast-iron pan, and finely grate each ear of corn directly into the pan. Discard the cobs.

  2. Step 2

    Spread the milky corn evenly across the pan, and bake until the edges and top are golden brown and the corn milk has thickened, 20 to 30 minutes.

  3. Step 3

    Remove from heat, and transfer corn and any liquid to a bowl. Add butter, and season to taste with salt, cayenne pepper and a squeeze of lime juice. Mix well.

Ratings

4 out of 5
246 user ratings
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Cooking Notes

Yes it will. They freeze the corn immediately after harvest. It's incredibly better than fresh corn in November. I have also made fabulous corn puddings with canned corn and canned cream style corn.

I don't discard corn cobs...Boiled for awhile they make a tasty addition to veggie stock for soup.

if i use frozen corn about how much should i use? approximately

this is so delicious I couldn't believe it. Depending on the corn you don't even have to add anything after cooking. The first time I made it I was skeptical but some kind of alchemy happened and it was beyond!!!! Addicted.

I wonder if this would taste as good with frozen corn in winter. It is easy and delicious and a real comfort food.

Utterly delicious! Box grater didn't work for me; I cut the kernels from the cob, then scraped ears with back of knife to collect all the milky liquid. The cayenne and lime are a nice touch, and SO EASY.

Bought fresh corn. What I ended up with was cooked corn. This had no custard-type consistency. I was worried it would stick to the pan; it did not. But I could have just sautéed it on the stove. Wondering if this works only with corn that is just picked and minutes later prepared for the oven. The "corn milk" was scant in mine.

Eh. If the corn is delicious, of course this will be delicious, but eh. I feel like it needed a whisked egg, a little added sugar for a crustier top, or maybe a couple teaspoons of cream...

Eh. If the corn is delicious, of course this will be delicious, but eh. I feel like it needed a whisked egg, a little added sugar for a crustier top, or maybe a couple teaspoons of cream...

What size pan is best?

Bought fresh corn. What I ended up with was cooked corn. This had no custard-type consistency. I was worried it would stick to the pan; it did not. But I could have just sautéed it on the stove. Wondering if this works only with corn that is just picked and minutes later prepared for the oven. The "corn milk" was scant in mine.

Utterly delicious! Box grater didn't work for me; I cut the kernels from the cob, then scraped ears with back of knife to collect all the milky liquid. The cayenne and lime are a nice touch, and SO EASY.

this is so delicious I couldn't believe it. Depending on the corn you don't even have to add anything after cooking. The first time I made it I was skeptical but some kind of alchemy happened and it was beyond!!!! Addicted.

I don't discard corn cobs...Boiled for awhile they make a tasty addition to veggie stock for soup.

if i use frozen corn about how much should i use? approximately

There was a fair amount of splatter in the oven with this dish. I used Jersey white corn which made the dish paler than the one pictured. But very tasty nonetheless.

I wonder if this would taste as good with frozen corn in winter. It is easy and delicious and a real comfort food.

Yes it will. They freeze the corn immediately after harvest. It's incredibly better than fresh corn in November. I have also made fabulous corn puddings with canned corn and canned cream style corn.

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Credits

Adapted from Lois Freedman

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