Desserts

Maja Blanca

Cooking 25 mins Prep 10 mins Serves 10
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Maja Blanca

Maja Blanca: Coconut Pudding

Maja blanca is a smooth, sliceable coconut pudding set with cornstarch and studded with corn kernels, topped with toasted coconut. It is a cool, creamy dessert.

About Maja Blanca

Maja blanca is a coconut pudding with corn, topped with toasted coconut. It is a creamy, sliceable dessert from the Philippines. The name is Spanish for white delicacy.

Maja blanca is a Filipino pudding that sets firm enough to slice, thanks to cornstarch and coconut milk. It is a standard on Christmas tables and at fiestas, often topped with latik or toasted coconut. The sweet corn kernels give it texture and a little pop in every bite.

Ingredient notes

  • Coconut milk: use full-fat milk for the creamiest pudding.
  • Cornstarch: the setting agent; whisk it with cold liquid first.
  • Sweet corn kernels: add sweetness and texture.
  • Toasted coconut or latik: the finishing crunch.

Tips for the best Maja Blanca

  1. Whisk the cornstarch smooth. To prevent lumps.
  2. Chill until firm. At least 3 hours.

What to serve with Maja Blanca

Serve chilled.

Variations and substitutions

Storing and reheating

Refrigerate covered for up to 4 days. The pudding holds its shape when cold and tastes best chilled.

Frequently asked questions

Why is my maja blanca too soft?

It needed more cooking time or more cornstarch. Stir until the mixture is very thick and pulls from the sides.

Can I make it vegan?

Yes. Use plant milk instead of dairy milk.

More Filipino recipes you might like

Puto, Buko Pie and Ube Halaya.

Ingredients

10 servings
  • Coconut milk720 ml
  • Milk240 ml
  • Cornstarch240 ml
  • Sugar180 ml
  • Water240 ml
  • Corn kernel240 ml
  • Toasted coconut flakefor topping60 ml

Instructions

  1. 1

    Whisk the cornstarch with the water until smooth.

    ~2 mins
  2. 2

    Heat the coconut milk, milk and sugar until warm, then whisk in the cornstarch and stir until it thickens.

    medium heat ~12 mins
  3. 3

    Fold in the corn and pour into a greased pan.

    low heat ~3 mins
  4. 4

    Cool, then chill until firm and top with toasted coconut. Cut into squares.

    ~180 mins

Notes

  1. 1. Smooth

    Keep stirring so the pudding stays lump-free.

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Photo: Maja Blanca (Coconut Pudding).jpg by Ralff Nestor Nacor via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.