Jamaican Cornmeal Pudding is a beloved, moist, and dense dessert that perfectly captures the essence of Jamaican cuisine. Made with ingredients commonly found in every Jamaican household, this treat is a blend of cornmeal, flour, sugar, coconut milk, butter, and spices, among other staples. The combination of sweet coconut milk, aromatic spices, and hearty cornmeal creates a rich and satisfying dessert. Cornmeal pudding is a cherished classic, enjoyed not only in Jamaica but across the Caribbean.
INGREDIENTS
- 3 cups cornmeal
- 1 cup flour
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 4-5 cups coconut milk
- 1/2 cup raisins
- 2 cups water
- 1 stick room temperature butter
- 1 tsp nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp allspice
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tbsp rum (optional)
INSTRUCTIONS
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 10-inch springform pan (or a regular baking pan) with butter. Set aside.
- In a bowl, combine the coconut milk, butter, sugar, and vanilla extract. Stir until the sugar is fully dissolved.
- In a large mixing bowl, sift together the flour, salt, nutmeg, cinnamon, allspice, and cornmeal. Whisk until evenly combined.
- Add the rum to the warm coconut milk mixture and stir well. Gradually pour the warm liquid into the dry ingredients, mixing continuously with a whisk until smooth. Ensure there are no lumps.
- Reserve a small amount of the coconut mixture for the custard.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan. If using raisins, drain any excess rum or coconut milk and toss the raisins in flour before adding them to the batter.
- Bake the pudding for 30 minutes. After that, remove it from the oven and pour the reserved coconut mixture over the top. Return the pudding to the oven and bake for an additional 1 hour and 10 minutes. The top will remain soft while the bottom becomes firm.
- Once baked, allow the pudding to cool for about an hour. Carefully remove the outer rim of the springform pan.
- Slice and enjoy!
For the Custard:
- Reserve 1 cup of the coconut milk mixture to pour over the pudding for a soft custard topping.
Enjoy your Jamaican Cornmeal Pudding!
