Indian Pudding is a traditional New England dessert which can be traced back to the 18th century. I developed a fondness for it when I lived in the Boston area. For some reason, though, it is relatively unknown outside of New England.
Here is a brief history of the dish …
When British settlers moved to this country they brought their Hasty Pudding recipes with them. I’ve never had Hasty Pudding, but apparently it is a dish made from wheat cooked in water or milk until it develops the consistency of a porridge. Wheat was in short supply in New England, so the settlers adapted to the new world by substituting corn meal – which they called Indian flour. Being along a trade route with plentiful molasses and spices, they embellished the dish with these flavorful additions as well as with dried fruits and sometimes nuts … and thankfully, the new dessert, Indian Pudding, caught on.
Indian Pudding Ingredients
Butter or vegetable shortening to grease the cooking dish
4 c. milk (soy or almond milk can be substituted for vegan)
1 c. coarse cornmeal or polenta
4 T. melted butter (coconut oil can be substituted for vegan)
1/2 c. brown sugar
1/3 c. unsulfured molasses
1/2 t. salt
1 t. ground ginger
1/2 t. ground cinnamon
1/2 t. ground nutmeg
2/3 c. dried fruits (such as raisins, yellow raisins, cranberries, cherries)
3 large eggs (3/4 c. packed pumpkin can be substituted for vegan)
Cooking Methods
(1) Prepare cook surface Preheat an oven to 325 degrees F. and grease a 2-quart baking dish; or grease and then preheat a crockpot on low or high heat. (A crockpot works well for holiday cooking when oven space is at a premium.)
(2) Cook the cornmeal Bring the milk (or substitute) to a low boil then whisk in cornmeal. Reduce heat to low, and continue to cook, whisking frequently until the mixture thickens and the cornmeal is softened (about 15 to 20 minutes).
(3) Add remaining ingredients Whisk together the remaining ingredients. Once the cornmeal mixture has thickened and the cornmeal has softened, set it aside to cool slightly and then whisk in the mixture of remaining ingredients. If you are not using eggs, then you can skip the brief cooling period.
(4) Finish cooking Pour the pudding mixture into greased baking dish or crockpot. Bake in the oven for 45 to 60 minutes; or cook in the crockpot for 2 hours on high heat or 4 to 5 on low heat . The finished “pudding” will be quite thick.
(5) Serve Serve hot with ice cream or whipped cream and serve leftovers cold with ice cream, whipped cream or just milk.
A Taste of Morning 
It’s hard to come by experienced people about this subject, however, you sound like you know what you’re talking about! Thanks
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Glad that you liked the Indian Pudding post! Have a great evening!
A much requested dessert served at The Maine Diner in Wells, Maine! Also my favorite…….thanks for sharing your recipe!
Thanks for the note, Cindy. I am glad that you enjoye the post and also glad to hear that folks at The Maine Diner love Indian Pudding! If I ever make it to Wells, Maine, I’ll be sure to stop in for some : )
Reblogged this on Improvisioner and commented:
Oh many of my Italian and Spanish friends will like this too – so I must share this one. You could use wheat or barley instead for a nuttier taste. I’m sure my grandmother knew how to make such a pudding – the English were very fond of foods form all countries they invaded – 🙂 For some reason I am polenta challenged but I will check this one out soon. Thanks Laurie.
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Reblogged this on New England's Narrow Road and commented:
This post brought back memories of my grandmother’s cooking skills.
Oh, thank goodness someone else is familiar with Indian Pudding. I was beginning to feel like I was in an episode of the Twilight Zone and the only person who remembered that dish. I am glad that the post brought back happy memories for you!
Thank you!
That is hilarious! Your picture makes my mouth water too.
Yup, I’m a New Englander and I have eaten Indian Pudding made by my grandmother – years ago.
Lovely, lovely picture!
Thank you, Francesa!
Now that is irresistibly delicious!
Thank you : )
Looks like my type of recipe – I love all those ingredients!
Thank you, Bernice!
I’ve heard of the Hasty Pudding Club, but not this. 🙂 Looks and sounds wonderful!
Thank you!
LOVE the photo! I adore the Christmas mug!
Thank you! I was happy with how the photo turned out. It can be so hard to photograph food indoors.
Thanks! I will give this a try – and sing “Yankee Doodle went to town…thick as hasty pudding” while doing it 🙂
Ha! Ha! You know all of your Yankee Doodle lyrics!
I will have to try this! It sounds cozy.
“Cozy” isn’t a word that I usually would apply to food … but I absolutely think that you are right. Indian Pudding served hot with ice cream is utterly cozy.
Just the thing for a cold winters day!
Exactly! … but we are having unseasonably warm weather for at least the next 10 days. Oh, well, can’t complain : )
I’ve never eaten this before, but it looks supremely delicious! 🙂
Thank you, Sheryl!
I have lived here in Connecticut all my life but I have never tried this. It sounds delicious!
Oh, my. You are the second person from the North East to tell me that they have never heard of this. I wonder if no one else makes this any more?
I lived in Boston for a short while but I don’t recall hearing of this – it sounds wonderful! Thanks for sharing this! 🙂
It’s been about 30 years since I lived in Boston. I hope that there are still some restaurants that serve this!