I am all for crafting fancy desserts when the occasion calls for it- like holidays, dinner parties, or celebrating a special event.
But what about the time when it’s just you and your family in the mood for something cozy, delicious, and totally fuss-free? With the perfect balance of sweetness and hardly any effort-, the milk pudding recipe is the perfect dessert for those laid-back moments!
What I love about milk pudding the most is how incredibly adaptable this dessert is. Feeling hot outside? Serve it chilled for a refreshing treat! But if you can’t wait until then to indulge, go ahead and enjoy it warm, as this dessert is delicious no matter how you serve it!
Different Cultural Adaptations Of Milk Pudding
What I call ‘Milk Pudding’ may have a different name in your country. But what’s universal is how delicious, creamy, and beloved this dessert is in any form!
Here are some cultural adaptations of milk pudding with some variations in the ingredients and cooking process:
Muhallabia
Muhallabia is basically a Middle Eastern version of milk pudding that uses milk, sugar, and cornstarch as base ingredients. The dessert is often flavored with rose water or orange water flavor and sprinkled with crushed pistachios on top as a garnish.
Basundi
Basundi is the Indian adaptation of today’s milk pudding. Instead of using thickening agents to achieve the rich, creamy texture of the milk pudding, Basundi relies on simmering the milk over low heat to reduce its volume. The pudding is often flavored with aromatic spices like cardamom and saffron, along with cinnachopped nuts as garnish.
Leche Flan
Filipinos have their own signature milk pudding called ‘Leche Flan.’ Along with the core ingredients of the milk pudding, the leche flan also includes evaporated milk and egg yolks to give the pudding a custard-like texture with a thicker consistency. The flan is also caramelized on top for a beautiful golden decoration.
Purin
Almost similar to the Leche Flan, Japanese has something called ‘Purin,’ which also features the same as custard texture by using egg yolks in the recipe. However, Purin has a delicate, jiggly texture and is lighter in terms of sweetness. It is often served with caramel sauce on top to create a rich, bittersweet contrast.
Cooking Tips For Perfect Milk Pudding
Determined to make an impression with your cooking skills? Here are some helpful tips to make the most delicious milk pudding recipe :
- Creamy or less creamy- which version would you prefer? For rich and creamy textured milk pudding, use full-fat milk, and for a lighter version, low-fat milk works the best.
- You can add sugar, maple syrup, or honey along with condensed milk to have more control over the sweetness level.
- Watch out for the temperature, as the milk must be cooked on medium to low heat. High temperatures may cause the milk to get burned and ruin the taste of the pudding.
- For a smooth texture, strain the milk pudding through a fine-mesh sieve to remove any lumps that might be present there. Once strained, you can pour the mixture into individual glass or serving bowls to set for a lump-free, smooth consistency.
- Before refrigerating the dessert, let it cool to room temperature to prevent condensation from forming on the surface. Cover the pudding with a plastic wrap and refrigerate until it sets completely.
Serving Suggestion For Milk Pudding
Want to serve milk pudding in style? Just a few creative ideas can take your dessert to the next level and make it more appetizing!
Fruit Toppings
I love topping my milk pudding with fresh slices of fruits such as strawberries, blueberries, kiwi, banana, pineapple, or mango. These help create a refreshing contrast to the creamy pudding and make it taste even more delicious!
You can also try canned variations such as lychee or peaches. Make sure you drain the excess water and cut them into small pieces before adding them to the pudding.
Nuts
For a crunchy addition, go for almonds, walnuts, pecans, or hazelnuts as topping. These nuts taste even better if you caramelize them a little before adding them.
To make caramelized nuts, start by adding a small amount of sugar to a pan and let it melt. Toss in the chopped nuts and cook until they turn golden brown in color. Let the nuts cool to a temperature before adding them to the milk pudding.
Chocolate
If you love the chocolate flavor and can’t get enough of it, milk pudding topped with chocolaty deliciousness can be the ultimate treat!
You can dust the top with unsweetened cocoa powder or a drizzle of chocolate sauce for a stunning finish that adds a decorative look as well as elevates the taste. Alternatively, you can garnish the pudding with mini chocolate chips or chocolate shaving for a delightful crunchy texture.
Milk Pudding
Ingredients
- 2 Cups / 475 ml Whole Milk
- 1 Cup / 250 ml whipping cream
- 1 Can / 396 g Condensed Milk
- 1 Tsp / 5 ml Vanilla Essence
Gelatin mix
- 2 Tbsp / 30 g Gelatin/agar Powder
- 1 Cup / 237 ml Milk
Equipments
Instructions
Prepare The Gelatin/Agar Powder
- Place 2 tbsp of gelatin/agar powder in a large cup and stir in a cup of cold milk.
- And let stand for about 5 minutes until gelatin softens.
Cook The Pudding
- Add 2 cups of whole milk and 1 cup of heavy cream to a medium-sized pan and warm the milk gently over medium-low heat.
- The milk should never boil or simmer.
- Then add the gelatin milk mixture into the warm milk and dissolve the gelatin completely, stirring constantly.
- Lastly, add 1 can of condensed milk and 1 tsp of vanilla essence and stir until incorporated.
Chill, Serve, and Enjoy!
- Pour the mixture immediately into a nonstick/glass loaf pan (or into an individual glass/ceramic container and let it cool to room temperature.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 6 hours or overnight to set before serving.
- If you put the pudding into smaller cups/ramekins and serve them straight from the cups, you can chill them for 1 to 2 hours without unmolding.
- If you want to unmold the pudding, chill for at least 4-6 hours or overnight.
- Garnish with some ground pistachio or rose petal (or any other toppings of your choice and serve it chilled. Enjoy!
Video
Simplicity is what makes milk pudding stand out from all other desserts. The mild sweetness of the pudding lets the natural flavor of the milk come into focus and create a delicious treat that’s both comforting and satisfying at the same time. Whether you enjoy it in its simplest form or load it with toppings and exotic flavors, one thing remains the same: its timeless ability to bring happiness and good memories in every spoonful!
Recipe FAQs
Is Milk Pudding Gluten-Free?
Yes, all the ingredients used in this recipe- milk, condensed milk, vanilla essence, and gelatin are naturally gluten-free.
Why Does My Milk Pudding Have A Thin Consistency?
If your milk pudding has a thin consistency, consider adding more gelatin to the mixture. Make sure to stir continuously to avoid any lumps.
Can I Make Milk Pudding Without A Thickening Agent?
Yes, you can use egg yolks as an alternative to thickening agents. The texture won’t be the same, but you will still enjoy a delicious, creamy dessert.
How Can I Make Non-Dairy Milk Pudding?
To make this recipe dairy-free, use almond, soy, oat or coconut milk as a substitute for regular milk.
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