Maja Blanca (Coconut Pudding)

This is a popular dessert among Filipinos. It can be served with different presentations. Ordinarily, when served in the Philippines, it will contain small kernels of sweet corn inside and topped with flakes of roasted coconut meat. Often it will also have shredded Cheddar cheese on top.

Original recipe makes 10 servings

Ingredients

1/2 cup water
1/2 cup cornstarch
1 cup coconut milk
3/4 cup water
1/2 cup white sugar
1/4 cup fresh sweet corn kernels
1/4 cup sweetened flaked coconut

PREP

15 mins
COOK

10 mins
READY IN

2 hrs 25 mins

Directions

Butter an 8-inch baking dish or pie pan, and set aside. Mix 1/2 cup of water with the cornstarch in a bowl, and stir until smooth.
Combine the coconut milk, 3/4 cup of water, and sugar in a saucepan over low heat, and stir until the sugar is dissolved. Bring the mixture to a boil, add the corn kernels, and then stir in the cornstarch mixture, stirring quickly to avoid lumps as it becomes very thick. Bring the mixture back to a boil, and simmer until fully thickened and smooth, stirring constantly, about 2 minutes. Pour the maja blanca into the prepared dish, and set aside to cool until firm, about 2 hours.
Place the coconut flakes in a dry skillet over medium heat, and stir to toast. Watch them carefully so they don’t burn. Remove the toasted coconut flakes to a bowl, let cool, and sprinkle over the pudding before serving.