Maple Cornmeal Skillet Puddings
Warm maple cornmeal puddings bake into soft-centered individual desserts with crisp, buttery edges.
Prep: 10 · Cook: 30 · Total: 40 · Serves: 4 · Difficulty: Easy · Rating: 4.8/5 (171 reviews)
INSPIRED BY
This original dessert sits between a spoon cake and a baked pudding, with cornmeal for warmth and maple for depth. Individual skillets make the edges especially good.
Story
Casey loves desserts that can go from pantry shelf to warm spoon without a complicated production. These little puddings have crisp edges, soft centers, and just enough orange to keep the maple from feeling heavy. They are lovely in individual skillets, but a single baking dish works too. Serve them warm and let everyone break through their own golden edge.
By Casey
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup fine yellow cornmeal
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup light brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 large eggs
- 3/4 cup whole milk
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 3 tablespoons melted unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon orange zest and whipped cream, for serving
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 375 F and brush four 6-ounce oven-safe skillets or ramekins with melted butter.
- Whisk the cornmeal, flour, brown sugar, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl.
- Whisk the eggs, milk, maple syrup, melted butter, and orange zest in a second bowl.
- Pour the wet mixture into the dry mixture and stir just until no dry streaks remain.
- Divide the batter among the prepared skillets and bake for 25 minutes until puffed and golden at the edges.
- Cool for 5 minutes, then serve the puddings warm with whipped cream and a small drizzle of maple syrup.
Chef Tips
- Use fine cornmeal for a tender pudding rather than a gritty one.
- The centers should still have a little wobble when the skillets come out.
- Set the skillets on a sheet pan to make them easier to move in and out of the oven.
- Leftovers rewarm well for 15 seconds in the microwave.
Cook's Notes
- **Batter:** Stir only until combined so the puddings stay tender.
- **Bake:** Pull them while the centers still wobble slightly.
- **Serving:** Add whipped cream after the 5-minute rest so it softens without melting away.