Miso Caramel Cornmeal Pudding with Pears
Creamy cornmeal pudding gets a salted miso caramel swirl and tender pears for a cozy dessert with a modern edge.
Prep: 15 · Cook: 25 · Total: 40 · Serves: 6 · Difficulty: Easy · Rating: 4.8/5 (87 reviews)
INSPIRED BY
The pudding draws on old-fashioned cornmeal desserts while the miso caramel adds a round, salted finish.
Story
Casey reaches for this dessert when the evening needs a soft landing. Cornmeal makes the pudding homey, miso gives the caramel a deeper hum, and pears bring a little fruit to the spoon. Toasted walnuts keep the texture lively. Serve it warm and let the kitchen smell like something worth lingering over.
By Casey
Ingredients
- 3 cups whole milk
- 1/2 cup fine yellow cornmeal
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/3 cup packed light brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon white miso
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 2 ripe pears, cored and thinly sliced
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1/3 cup toasted walnuts, chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Whisk the milk, cornmeal, granulated sugar, and salt in a medium saucepan until smooth.
- Cook over medium-low heat for 15 minutes, whisking often, until the cornmeal is tender and the pudding coats a spoon.
- Melt the butter and brown sugar in a small skillet over medium heat, then cook for 2 minutes until bubbling.
- Remove the skillet from the heat and whisk in the miso and heavy cream until the caramel is smooth.
- Toss the pear slices with lemon juice and warm them in the caramel skillet for 3 minutes, turning once, until just tender.
- Spoon the warm pudding into bowls, top with caramel pears and walnuts, and finish with cinnamon.
Chef Tips
- Whisk from the bottom of the saucepan so the cornmeal does not settle and scorch.
- Use ripe but firm pears so they soften without falling apart.
- Taste the caramel before adding salt because miso brands vary in saltiness.
- Loosen chilled leftovers with a splash of milk over low heat.
Cook's Notes
- **Cornmeal:** Fine-ground meal makes the smoothest pudding.
- **Caramel:** Whisk in the cream off the heat to prevent splatter.
- **Pears:** Keep the slices slightly firm for texture.
- **Leftovers:** Reheat gently with milk until spoonable.