Maja Blanca (Coconut Pudding with Sweet Corn)

Posted on May 24, 2012 | by Ray

Creaking sound from a passing Kalesa (horse pulled carriage), footsteps of pedestrians walking though pebble covered sidewalk, voices of chatting ladies cooking in the kitchen below and the smell of food and lots of food being prepared. I can still vividly remember these things that used to awaken me in the morning and those were the morning of fiestas in my dad’s province of Gapan, Nueva Ecija (about 50 miles from Manila).

As a kid, fiesta was the one I looked forward to because we get to go around the town and go house to house just to say “hello” to friends and relatives. Yeah right, say hello my “butt,” of course we visited these houses to eat! We are talking about fiesta here. This is an event where houses were flooding with food; where the homeowner was thankful that someone came and ate.

I remember that I used to go straight for the dessert table, and one of these desserts was maja blanca. Maja blanca is a coconut pudding with sweet corn kernels. It is cooked with coconut milk thickened by cornstarch, sweetened by sugar and condensed milk. It is a party or in this case, a fiesta favorite. I hope you enjoy this recipe, and I want to thank these two wonderful lovely ladies — Elizabeth of “Asian in America” and Dudut of “My Twisted Recipes” for coming up with this month’s “Kulinarya Club” cooking challenge.

Maja Blanca

INGREDIENTS:

For Maja Blanca

2 14 fl oz cans coconut milk
1 cup sweet corn kernels
1 1/4 cup cornstarch
1/3 cup water
3/4 cup condensed milk
1/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For Toasted Coconut

1 cup grated coconut
2 tablespoon brown sugar
2 teaspoon vegetable oil

DIRECTIONS:

Grease a medium pan of whatever shape you'd like for as long as the shape will allow you to release the maja blanca.
Place a medium sauce pan over medium heat then pour coconut milk and bring to boil.
Add corn, condensed milk, sugar, and vanilla extract.
Let it continue to boil and keep stirring for about 10 minutes.
Combine cornstarch and water in a bowl and stir until cornstarch is dissolved.
Slowly pour cornstarch and water solution into the pot while stirring the maja blanca.
Continue stirring until the maja blanca thickens evenly then turn off the heat.
Transfer maja blanca into the greased pan.
Smooth the top with greased spatula.
Set it aside to cool to room temperature.

Making the Toasted Coconut

Make sure grated coconut is fully thawed to room temperature if bought frozen.
Place a non stick frying pan over low heat then add vegetable oil.
Add grated coconut.
Constantly mix with wooden spatula to toast evenly until it's golden brown.
Add brown sugar and let it toast for another 1 minute.

Cooking Notes

Two Ways to serve maja blanca:

1. You can serve maja blanca right on the pan with toasted grated coconut as garnish.

2. You can transfer the maja blanca on a serving plate by turning the pan upside down to release then garnish with toasted grated coconut.

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35 Comments → “Maja Blanca (Coconut Pudding with Sweet Corn)”

Elizabeth @Mango_Queen

1 year ago

This is a great maja blanca recipe! Bookmarked it. Must try it soon. Yes, your memories of fiesta brought back lots of happy ones. You’re right, our culture may have invented the “house hopping”/progressive party of nowadays. Imagine, everyone’s house was “open house” and you could just walk in and eat. As a child, I never bothered to think whether it was ok or not, good or inappropriate. Nowadays, there are so many rules. I wonder if people back home still do the “house to house” fiesta eating? I know our town in Tarlac still does the “big dance” at the plazuela. Anyway, glad you joined us for the KCC May event. Thanks & cheers!
Elizabeth @Mango_Queen recently posted..Filipino Pork Barbecue on the Grill

Reply
- Ray
  
  1 year ago
  
  Thank you very much for hosting the challenge, Elizabeth! I don’t think they carried on with those old tradition during fiestas and those were the good days.
  
  Reply
Sissi

1 year ago

What an unusual dessert! (The sweet corn is the most unusual ingredient here for me). I somehow feel I would love it because it reminds me a bit of flans and is probably very refreshing straight from the fridge. I am also a big fan of coconut, so I will certainly make it one day. Thank you, Ray, for this lovely summer dessert idea.
Sissi recently posted..Stir Fried Asparagus, Chicken and Cashew Nuts

Reply
- Ray
  
  1 year ago
  
  Oh, Sissi I’m sure you will like this dessert or snack. The corn give the pudding a texture and a hint of saltiness. Thank you very much for dropping by, Sissi.
  
  Reply
Oggi

1 year ago

That’s the prettiest maja blanca I’ve ever seen. It belongs in a food magazine.:)
Oggi recently posted..Fish Ube Jam

Reply
- Ray
  
  1 year ago
  
  I never thought of that, Oggi but I’ll take it! Thank you for the compliment.
  
  Reply
the wicked noodle

1 year ago

Ray…this sounds amazing!! Seriously…my jaw dropped and I did a sort of gasp when I read the recipe title. I am absolutely trying this as soon as possible! And your photos, as always, are stunning!
the wicked noodle recently posted..fire roasted chile & garlic chicken burgers {plus a giveaway!}

Reply
- Ray
  
  1 year ago
  
  Thank you, Kristy! I hope you like it.
  
  Reply
Iska

1 year ago

Your maja blanca’s texture looks divine! I have tried cooking this twice. Taste-wise, I was quite happy but not so much with the texture. I will definitely try your recipe, many thanks!
Iska recently posted..Pancit Molo

Reply
- Ray
  
  1 year ago
  
  Thank you very much, Iska. I appreciate you dropping by.
  
  Reply
kankana

1 year ago

I have a special corner for anything coconut-y and this is going in my list. Love how you browned the coconut flakes!
kankana recently posted..Green Chickpea Salad with Yogurt Dressing

Reply
- Ray
  
  1 year ago
  
  Browned coconut flakes is the beast on this beauty. It gives a great contrast to the smooth texture. Thank you for visiting, Kankana!
  
  Reply
Peachkins

1 year ago

I love maja Blanca and I love the photo!!
Peachkins recently posted..Lunch at The Clubhouse in Bellaroca Island

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- Ray
  
  1 year ago
  
  Thank you, Peach!
  
  Reply
skip to malou

1 year ago

hello Ray!! your description of a fiesta sounds so familiar with me. I grew up with that kind of festivities. During my recent trip back home, I attended a fiesta in one of the barrios and they still have the house to house thing. I was glad i was able to experience it all over again.
This maja blanca will definitely disappear if I saw it on the table. I would bring it home haha. This is a divine looking maja and I could almost taste the coconut crumbs… yum!

have a great long weekend Ray,
malou
skip to malou recently posted..C’est Si Bon: Salon Beauvior

Reply
- Ray
  
  1 year ago
  
  And that description is still very vivid in my mind. Those were the good days, Malou. Thank you and I hope you had a wonderful weekend.
  
  Reply
The Squishy Monster

1 year ago

Oooh, YUM! I’ve never had anything like this before. Looks fabulous! =D

XOXO
http://TheSquishyMonster.com

Reply
- Ray
  
  1 year ago
  
  Thank you for commenting!
  
  Reply
Reese@SeasonwithSpice

1 year ago

Oh yum! Love anything with coconut, especially with toasted coconut. Sounds like a fun childhood you had, Ray. We certainly share the eating fiesta in the region. We call it ‘makan-marathon’ in Malaysia. Makan means eat:) These puddings are such a treat on a hot day..

Reply
- Ray
  
  1 year ago
  
  Thank you, Reese. I’m sure we share the same basic traditions.
  
  Reply
Tina@flourtrader

1 year ago

I have never seen anything like this, but I believe I have been missing out on something delicious. The blend sounds like a delicious combination. I love sweet corn ice cream, so I am sure I would enjoy this.
Also, great lead in to the recipe-the fiesta does sound like a wonderful tradition!
Tina@flourtrader recently posted..Pecan Chocolate Squares

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Margarita @ Pinoy Kitchenette

1 year ago

Wow! Ray you made me crave for this one! I love that toasted grated coconut.. and that maja looks yummy!
Margarita @ Pinoy Kitchenette recently posted..Tofu Kare-Kare (Kare-Kareng Gulay at Tokwa)

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Hester @ Alchemy in the Kitchen

1 year ago

Ray, what a gorgeous picture you conjure up of your childhood!

This is such an unusual dessert – can’t wait to try it!
Hester @ Alchemy in the Kitchen recently posted..White Bean and Lemon Soup – has the X-Factor !

Reply
Raymund

1 year ago

This looks good Ray! I love this one and we always have this as its so easy to make, all of this years we never put that toasted coconut and had forgotten about it, now this reminds us to use that again. Thanks for this recipe
Raymund recently posted..Shabu Shabu

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Sawsan (Chef in disguise)

1 year ago

This dessert is totally new to me Ray but I can imagine how good it must taste.
Loved your memories of the fiesta
Sawsan (Chef in disguise) recently posted..Twisted daring bakers challenge..Braided bread

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Jesica @ Pencil Kitchen

1 year ago

I’ve had this just once! Although i’ve never been to a “fiesta” as you mentioned, going around houses to say “hello” but I would never imagine skipping a dish like this!

Reply
kitchenriffs

1 year ago

Nice dish! I’ve had this before, but have never made it. And it’s easy! I love coconut, so I should really add this to my dessert list. Great post – really fun to read. Thanks.

Reply
Jay

1 year ago

superbb..;)
new to your space
lovely space you have
happy following you..:)
do stop by mine sometime
Tasty Appetite

Reply
mjskit

1 year ago

What a gorgeous pudding and tasty too, I’m sure! Love the the idea of coconut and sweet corn and then the toasted coconut – YUM! I would definitely head straight for the dessert table as well, especially if this was on it. Fiesta sounds like a lot of fun!
mjskit recently posted..Green Chile Tomatillo Salsa

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Nami | Just One Cookbook

1 year ago

This dessert is like what kids love to have – both coconut and corn in one dessert! Toasted coconut is also a nice crunchiness on this soft pudding. I can imagine the flavor of this pudding. Sounds like a very nice South East Asian dessert dish. I’m enjoying all kinds of coconut flavor food/dessert this recent years. Great photography Ray!
Nami | Just One Cookbook recently posted..Japan Trip 2012 vol. 4

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Claire

1 year ago

Sounds like a very nice South East Asian dessert dish. I’m enjoying all kinds of coconut flavor food/dessert this recent years. Thanks that you’ve shared.
Claire recently posted..Lisa Olsens Pregnancy Miracle Book Review

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Cristina

1 year ago

This looks like my kind of dessert. Does the pudding have a texture like a custard? I luv coconut and sweet corn…I just know I’d luv this too. Thank you for teaching me something new in this maja blanca!
Cristina recently posted..Chinese Tea Eggs – cha ye dan

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Row

1 year ago

I love maja blanca… the bits of corn are my favourite part! Thanks for posting!
Row recently posted..Back home

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Pia

10 months ago

Hi, Ray!!!! I know! i know! …what you’ll say…”hi stranger” lol! I’ve been slacking, yes, i have. I hope Kulinarya will still accept me when i get the chance to come back and re-join the group.

In the meantime, i’ve been stalking your blog, i was looking for maja blanca recipe and i was sure you’ll have one. Exactly the kind of recipe i was looking for i don’t like some of the recipes i’ve seen. Yours look just like my mamas’. I have also pinned this on my pinterest. Thank you for sharing. Okay, i’ll continue stalking your blog
Pia recently posted..DIY BRAIDED HEADBAND

Reply
- Ray
  
  10 months ago
  
  Hope you like my recipe, Pia. Thank you and it’s okay, you can stalk my blog anytime.
  
  Reply