The Cheesy Heart of Gold Corn Pudding Casserole

Cheesy Creamy Corn Pudding Casserole

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Preparation time:15 Mins

Cooking time:50 Mins

Servings:8 generous servings

Ingredients:

• 1 stick (8 Tbsp) Unsalted Butter, melted, plus extra for greasing
• 1 (14.75 oz) can Canned Creamed Corn (do not drain)
• 1 cup Frozen Sweet Corn Kernels, thawed and drained
• 3 Large Eggs, at room temperature
• 1 cup Milk (Whole or 2%), at room temperature
• 1 Tbsp Granulated Sugar
• 1/2 cup All-Purpose Flour
• 1 tsp Baking Powder
• 1 tsp Salt (Fine Sea Salt)
• 1/2 tsp Black Pepper, freshly ground
• Pinch of Cayenne Pepper (Optional)
• 1/2 cup Sharp Cheddar Cheese, grated (for topping)
• 1 Tbsp Fresh Chives, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions:

• Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Generously grease a 9x13 inch casserole dish with butter or cooking spray.
• Melt the 1 stick of butter and allow it to cool slightly so it does not scramble the eggs.
• In a large mixing bowl, gently whisk the eggs until just broken up. Add the milk, cooled melted butter, creamed corn, corn kernels, and sugar. Whisk until incorporated.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, black pepper, and cayenne (if using). This ensures the leavening is evenly distributed.
• Slowly pour the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients. Fold the mixture together using a whisk or spatula until just combined. Stop mixing the moment there are no streaks of dry flour remaining.
• Pour the entire batter mixture into the prepared casserole dish.
• Bake the casserole for 30 minutes. The edges should start to set, but the center will still be jiggly.
• If using the cheese topping, remove the casserole from the oven and evenly sprinkle the grated cheddar cheese over the top.
• Return the casserole to the oven and continue baking for another 15–20 minutes, or until the center is set (it should only have a slight jiggle) and the top is beautifully golden brown.
• Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest on a wire rack for 5–10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh chopped chives just before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Calories	574 kcal
Protein	12.6 g
Fat	21.5 g
Carbs	47.4 g
Fiber	7.7 g
Sodium	5215 mg

Recipe Info

Category	Side Dish
Cuisine	American

The Golden Standard of Comfort Baking

Few Dinner Sides possess the universal appeal and deep satisfaction offered by a perfectly baked Corn Pudding Casserole . This dish, a true staple of regional American cooking—and a beloved feature in many Southern Living kitchens—transcends the simple vegetable side and becomes a profound comfort food experience. Unlike many starchy casseroles, this recipe delivers a delicate, almost silky custard base cradling plump corn kernels, topped by a glorious, golden-brown crust. It is dependable, remarkably easy to prepare, and guarantees rave reviews every time it graces the table.

Why This Corn Pudding Casserole Earned Its 'Heart of Gold' Title

Our approach prioritizes texture and pure corn flavour above all else. We are building a truly artisanal side dish, maximizing richness without complexity, resulting in the Cheesy Heart of Gold Corn Pudding Casserole —a recipe that delivers maximum flavour return for minimal prep time (just 10- 15 minutes).

Ditching the Dry Mix: Achieving Ultimate Creaminess

Achieving that luxurious, melt-in-your-mouth texture requires deliberate ingredient choices. While the convenience of a corn pudding casserole jiffy mix is undeniable, relying on a pre-packaged powder usually yields a denser, almost cornbread-like result. To create a true, velvety custard, we opt for a pure corn pudding casserole without jiffy mix . Instead, we use a simple binder of all-purpose flour, combined with eggs and milk, which sets gently during baking. This method is the secret to a lighter, richer, and far creamier final product.

A Study in Simplicity: Mastering the Easy Process

Despite avoiding convenience shortcuts, this corn pudding casserole recipe is proudly straightforward. It maintains its "Easy" difficulty rating because it requires no specialized techniques, just basic whisking and gentle folding. The entire active preparation process is a fast, efficient assembly line designed to get the mixture into the oven in under 15 minutes, allowing the heat to do the heavy lifting.

Sweet vs. Savory: Balancing the Flavor Profile

The inherent sweetness of fresh corn is one of the dish’s greatest assets, but a truly great casserole needs balance. We use just one tablespoon of granulated sugar to highlight the corn's natural sugars, and then counter that sweetness with sharp, savoury notes.

Fine sea salt, freshly ground black pepper, and an optional, subtle whisper of cayenne pepper add necessary depth and warmth, preventing the dish from leaning too far into dessert territory.

Gathering Your Cast of Golden Ingredients

For a perfect texture, remember the baker's golden rule: use room temperature ingredients. You will need three large eggs and one cup of milk (whole or 2%) brought to room temperature before mixing. You also require one stick (eight tablespoons) of melted unsalted butter, a 14.75 oz can of Creamy Corn (creamed corn), and one cup of frozen sweet corn kernels, thawed. For the savoury binder, have 1/2 cup of all-purpose flour, one teaspoon of baking powder, and generous seasoning ready.

Essential Equipment for a Flawless Bake

You don't need specialty tools to bake this classic. A standard 9x13 inch glass or ceramic casserole dish is ideal for achieving the proper depth and ensuring the mixture cooks evenly. Beyond that, a large mixing bowl for the wet ingredients, a medium bowl for the dry mixture, a simple whisk, and a flexible rubber spatula are all you need to assemble this Corn Pudding Casserole .

Deciphering the Corn Requirement: Fresh, Frozen, or Canned?

Our recipe leverages the power of two corn types to build texture and flavour. We use a whole can of corn pudding casserole with creamed corn —do not drain this—as it forms the essential, rich liquid base of the custard, providing that signature sweetness and moisture. This is paired with one cup of thawed, slightly drained frozen corn kernels, which provide bursts of firmer texture throughout the creamy base.

The Secret to Velvety Custard: Dairy Choices Explained

The foundation of the smooth custard relies on high-quality dairy and fat. Use unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly so it doesn't cook the eggs prematurely. The choice of whole or 2% milk is yours; whole milk delivers maximum richness, but 2% works effectively without drastically altering the final set.

Critically, ensure both the milk and eggs are at room temperature to encourage a seamless emuon with the melted fat.

Selecting the Perfect Cheese for a Savory Hint

The cheese topping is technically optional but highly recommended to round out the flavour profile. Half a cup of sharp cheddar cheese, freshly grated, adds a wonderful salty, pungent note that beautifully contrasts the sweet corn. For a richer, nuttier flavour, consider substituting Gruyère instead.

Prep Ahead: Mise en Place for Speedy Assembly

To achieve the total 15-minute prep time, a quick mise en place is essential. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C), generously grease your 9x13 inch baking dish, and melt the stick of butter. Allow the butter to cool on the counter while you gather the remaining ingredients, ensuring it's no longer hot when it meets the room-temperature eggs.

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Crafting the Perfect Corn Pudding Casserole Batter

The mixing process must be executed in phases to ensure the final product is light and creamy, not heavy and tough. First, the wet ingredients and corn are whisked together gently to incorporate the melted butter, eggs, milk, sugar, and both the canned and thawed corn kernels. The key is incorporation, not aeration.

Next, the dry ingredients—flour, baking powder, salt, pepper, and cayenne—are whisked thoroughly in a separate bowl. This prevents pockets of baking powder from causing uneven rising.

The Transformation: Baking to Golden Perfection

Once the ingredients are combined, the mixture is baked for 45– 50 minutes, transforming the raw batter into a cohesive, golden culinary marvel.

Phase One: Combining the Wet Ingredients Smoothly

In your largest bowl, start by lightly whisking the three room-temperature eggs. Whisk in the milk, the cooled melted butter, the canned Creamy Corn , the corn kernels, and the tablespoon of sugar until fully incorporated.

Phase Two: Gently Folding in the Solids and Corn

Introduce the bowl of pre-mixed dry ingredients slowly into the wet mixture. Use a rubber spatula or whisk to fold them together. This step is non-negotiable: stop mixing the very moment the last streaks of white flour disappear. Overworking the batter activates the gluten in the flour, resulting in a tougher, less creamy casserole, undermining the whole goal of this superior corn pudding casserole recipe .

Testing for Doneness: The Wiggle and the Crust

The casserole bakes in two stages. The initial bake lasts 30 minutes, allowing the edges to set while the centre remains jiggly. At this point, retrieve the dish and evenly sprinkle the 1/2 cup of cheese over the surface. Return it to the oven for the final 15– 20 minutes. Doneness is reached when the edges are bubbling golden brown and a knife inserted into the centre comes out mostly clean, like testing a dense quiche or cake.

The Crucial Resting Period Before Serving

Patience is required post-bake. After removing the golden casserole from the oven, let it rest for 5– 10 minutes on a wire rack. This critical thermal rest allows the custard to finish setting through carryover cooking, ensuring that when you scoop the Corn Pudding Casserole , it maintains its shape and exquisite creamy texture without collapsing or becoming mushy.

Troubleshooting and Mastering Your Corn Pudding Casserole

To ensure your baking success, always pay attention to ingredient temperature. Using cold milk and eggs can cause the melted butter to seize or the mixture to curdle during mixing, leading to a grainy or uneven final texture.

For cooks worried about the edges setting before the centre, employ the "water bath hack." Place the casserole dish inside a larger roasting pan and fill the outer pan halfway with hot water (a bain-marie). This trick stabilizes the temperature and creates moist heat, guaranteeing a silken custard throughout.

Elevating the Dish: Savory and Seasonal Variation Ideas

Once you have mastered the foundational Corn Pudding Casserole , it’s easy to adapt it for seasonal meals. For a hearty, savoury holiday side, incorporate 4 strips of cooked, crumbled bacon and 1 teaspoon of fresh thyme leaves into the batter before baking. If you prefer a bit of southwestern flair, transform it into a Tex-Mex marvel by adding a small can of drained diced green chilies and substituting the sharp cheddar topping with Pepper Jack cheese.

Storage, Freezing, and Reheating Best Practices

This casserole is a champion of make-ahead meals. Once cooled, cover leftovers tightly and store them in the refrigerator for up to three days. Reheat individual portions gently in the microwave or place the whole dish back in a 350°F (175°C) oven until warmed through.

Preventing a Mushy Center or Crumbly Edges

If your casserole is too mushy, it likely needed more time to set, or you skipped the crucial 5–10 minute resting period post-bake. Conversely, crumbly or tough edges are usually a sign that you overmixed the batter, activating too much gluten from the small amount of flour we used for binding.

Stick precisely to the "mix only until just combined" rule.

Making This Dish Gluten-Free or Dairy-Free

This recipe adapts beautifully to dietary needs. For a gluten-free Corn Pudding Casserole , substitute the all-purpose flour with an equal measure of a certified gluten-free all-purpose baking blend containing xanthan gum. To go dairy-free, utilize high-quality vegan butter and switch the whole milk for full-fat oat milk or cashew milk.

Batch Cooking and Planning for Holiday Meals

Since the corn pudding casserole recipe is reliable and uses standard pantry ingredients, it’s ideal for batch cooking or doubling the portion size for large holiday gatherings. You can easily prep two 9x13 dishes simultaneously. While freezing a fully baked casserole is possible, the texture can suffer upon thawing; for best results, plan to bake it fresh the day before or the day of serving.

Expert Pairings: What to Serve Alongside This Comfort Food

This deeply rich and comforting dish needs a protein that can stand up to its depth. As one of your key Dinner Sides , the Corn Pudding Casserole pairs excellently with classic roasted meats, such as glazed ham, prime rib, or traditional roast turkey. To cut through the richness of the Creamy Corn and butter, consider a bright condiment like homemade Red Pepper Jam or a sophisticated dollop of Smoked Paprika Crème Fraîche. A chilled, crisp Sauvignon Blanc is the perfect wine pairing.