Pudding is one of the most popular desserts in Brazilian cuisine. Traditionally made with condensed milk, it conquers with its creamy texture and remarkable flavor. But what if you're out of condensed milk at home or want a less sweet, healthier version? The good news is that you can make an incredible pudding without condensed milkwhile retaining all the flavor and charm of the original recipe.
Here's how to prepare this practical and delicious version.
Ingredients
For the pudding:
- 500 ml whole milk (can be vegetable, such as coconut or almond milk, if you prefer)
- 4 eggs
- 1 cup sugar (you can use demerara or brown for a more rustic version)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla essence (optional)
For the syrup:
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/3 cup water
Preparation:
1. Prepare the syrup:
- In a saucepan, add the sugar and bring to the boil over a low heat.
- Stir gently until the sugar melts and begins to brown.
- When it reaches an amber color (caramel), carefully add the water (it will bubble a lot!).
- Mix until the clumps are dissolved and a smooth syrup is obtained.
- Pour the syrup into a pudding dish (the kind with a hole in the middle) and set aside.
2. Make the pudding:
- In a blender, beat the eggs for 1 minute to remove the strong smell.
- Add the milk, sugar and vanilla essence.
- Beat for another 2 minutes until the mixture is smooth.
3. Assembly and cooking:
- Pour the pudding mixture over the cold syrup in the pan.
- Cover with aluminum foil.
- Bake in a preheated oven at 180 °C in a bain-marie (place the pudding tin in a pan filled with hot water).
- Bake for about 1 hour and 15 minutesor until firm (poke with a knife, it should come out clean).
4. Finalization:
- Remove from the oven, allow to cool completely and refrigerate for at least 4 hours.
- To unmold, run a knife around the edges and lightly heat the bottom of the pan to loosen the syrup.
Extra Tips
- If you want a firmer pudding, use 5 eggs.
- For a healthier version, replace the sugar with xylitol or erythritol (in equivalent proportions, taking into account the sweetening power).
- For an even creamier texture, add 1 tablespoon of cornstarch to the pudding mixture.
