Maizena - Budget Bytes

Maizena, a delightful Puerto Rican breakfast pudding, enchants with its silky texture and the enticing aroma of vanilla and cinnamon. The best part? It takes mere minutes to prepare! Not only is it a treat for the taste buds, but it also won’t break the bank, costing less than a dollar per serving. During times of financial strain, my mother would whip up this delectable dish, and its irresistibly rich flavor made me blissfully unaware that it wasn’t a lavish indulgence.

What Is Maizena?

Maizena, a beloved Latin milk-based breakfast pudding, takes its name from the cornstarch brand used to thicken it. Infused with delicate hints of vanilla and cinnamon, and sweetened with granulated sugar, this pudding can be enjoyed cold, but is traditionally savored piping hot. The Maizena I enjoyed in my upbringing was distinguished by its pure white appearance. To enhance its flavors, I personally add a dash of cinnamon and a hint of nutmeg while simmering, resulting in a creamier shade for my own Maizena recipe.

What You Need To Make Maizena

In just a short amount of time, you can have this effortless, inexpensive, and incredibly tasty breakfast pudding ready to enjoy! To make it, you’ll need the following ingredients:

Whole milk is the preferred option due to its higher fat content, which contributes to a smooth and creamy sensation in the mouth. However, if you prefer an alternative, you can use evaporated milk or plant-based milk. If opting for a plant-based milk, ensure that you choose one with a higher fat content such as coconut, soy, or macadamia milk. This will aid in achieving the desired velvety texture that Maizena is famous for.

Heavy Cream – provides a smooth, lustrous texture. In case you lack heavy cream, a suitable alternative would be a cup of whole milk combined with a tablespoon of butter. Alternatively, if you prefer to avoid dairy products, you can substitute heavy cream with unsweetened coconut cream.

Granulated sugar is the typical choice, but you can also opt for your preferred sweetener such as honey, brown sugar, or agave, all of which are excellent alternatives.

For an infusion of earthy flavor, floral hints, and rich depth, incorporate Cinnamon, Nutmeg, and Vanilla. If you desire a departure from conventional flavors, alternatives like apple pie spice, pumpkin pie spice, orange zest, lemon zest, or even a touch of chocolate syrup can be mixed in.

Cornstarch is essential for thickening the pudding and imparting a glossy appearance. In the absence of cornstarch, you can substitute it with twice the quantity of flour. However, keep in mind that the texture won’t be as smooth, and you’ll need to cook it for a longer duration to eliminate the raw flour taste.

Storing Maizena

Although Maizena is most enjoyable when consumed hot and fresh, it is possible to store it and heat it up later. When refrigerated, Maizena can last for up to 5 days, whereas freezing is not advised. To maintain its quality, place Maizena in an airtight container and cover the surface with either plastic or parchment paper to prevent the formation of a thick skin. Before reheating, add a tablespoon of milk per cup to help loosen the consistency. Microwaving in 30-second intervals until it becomes steaming hot is an effective way to warm it up.

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How to Make Maizena – Step by Step Photos

Heat a large pot with a thick bottom over medium heat. Combine 4 cups of milk, 1/4 cup sugar, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, a pinch of nutmeg, a pinch of salt, and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla in the pot. Stir until well mixed.

In a bowl, combine 1 cup of heavy cream and gradually incorporate 1/4 cup of cornstarch until a smooth consistency is achieved, ensuring there are no lumps.

Gradually incorporate the cornstarch mixture into the milk mixture.

Heat the mixture until it reaches boiling point and keep whisking until the milk thickens to a pudding-like consistency, which typically takes around 3 to 5 minutes. The pudding should adhere to the back of a wooden spoon and have distinct edges when a finger is swiped across it.

Serve Maizena hot, generously sprinkled with cinnamon on top. Give yourself a well-deserved pat on the back for successfully creating a scrumptious homemade breakfast without breaking the bank!