This simple cornmeal pudding with blueberry sauce is perfect for al fresco dining. It is elegant enough for a dinner party and simple enough for just because. If you haven’t tried cornmeal pudding yet, you really should!
![This simple dessert is perfect for al fresco dining. It is elegant enough for a dinner party and simple enough for just because. If you haven't tried cornmeal pudding yet, you really should! martini glasses filled with cornmeal budino (pudding) and topped with a blueberry marmellata sauce.](https://cookingwithcarlee.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Budino2BClose.jpg.webp)
A nice dinner is even better when it ends with a little something sweet. This easy cornmeal budino is an Italian style pudding that is perfect for a warm evening.
It is a great make recipe that will give you that little something special without being too much.
The blueberry marmellata sauce tops it off nicely, but you could use any fruit or dessert sauce you’d like. It will bring that wow factor to the meal without going over the top.
What I am about to share with you my husband rated a 9 out of 10. And that’s really saying something considering he is more of a meat and potatoes kind of guy and this is neither meat nor potatoes! So I am really excited to share it with you.
We were looking for fun new ways to highlight summer corn recipes. Corn on the cob never goes out of style, frozen corn is always in our freezer, we love corn dip, creamy corn, corn casserole, heck we’ll even put corn in our macaroni and cheese.
While this doesn’t use fresh summer corn, it still has that corn flavor and the chilled dessert is perfect for a warm evening. I think you will agree that when you look at it with a wide lens, it really is a perfect summer corn recipe after all!
I was introduced to the concept of a cornmeal pudding when I saw a recipe for a polenta budino over at The Frugal Hausfrau. It was perfect! I always love trying a new dessert, no news there.
![This simple dessert is perfect for al fresco dining. It is elegant enough for a dinner party and simple enough for just because. If you haven't tried cornmeal pudding yet, you really should! Spoonful of cornmeal pudding with plenty of blueberry sauce on top.](https://cookingwithcarlee.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Budino-Bite.jpg.webp)
But even better, I could tweak her recipe to make it with ingredients I have on hand. I don’t know about you, but not having to run to the store to put something together gets it major bonus points in my book.
Plus the whole thing comes together in a few minutes on the stove top. You make it ahead and then put it in the refrigerator until it is time to serve.
No oven needed. No last minute sweating over the hot stove. That is my favorite way to entertain in the summer. So, I knew I had to make it!
What Makes This Recipe Different
Now I know I just said I had everything on hand. That is a bit of a fudge. I did not have polenta, but I did have cornmeal.
I did not have plums, but I have been buying a few pints of blueberries every time I go to the store lately. So I had everything on hand to make my version of her dessert.
That is one of my favorite things about cooking. There are so many ways you can adapt and change any given recipe. Her version looked delicious and I can tell you this version is too!
![This simple dessert is perfect for al fresco dining. It is elegant enough for a dinner party and simple enough for just because. If you haven't tried cornmeal pudding yet, you really should! martini glass filled with creamy cornmeal budino and blueberry sauce with a spoon nearby ready to eat.](https://cookingwithcarlee.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Budino-Close1.jpg.webp)
What It Tastes Like
Budino is more or less a cornmeal pudding. If you like a texture in your pudding like tapioca or rice pudding, you are half way there. Of course the texture of cornmeal is different than those.
My husband described it as a being like a sweet and creamy malt-o-meal. It is just sweet and creamy enough to make it a dessert rather than a porridge.
The blueberry marmellata is basically a quick blueberry sauce. Served cold it is thick and syrupy, perfect for topping your pudding. The two come together to make a really great dessert.
It would be the perfect ending to a big Italian meal any time of year. It would also be an elegant dessert to finish an al fresco dining experience.
Just a little something sweet and not to heavy. Just that little something to tie the meal up with a nice little creamy blueberry bow and send you off to sweet dream land.
What is budino made of?
Budino is a milk and egg custard thickened with cornmeal or polenta. You can also use grits to make this pudding.
More Great Pudding Recipes
If you like to end a meal with something cool, creamy and sweet you may like hot chocolate mix pudding. It is a great way to use hot chocolate mix left in your pantry from the winter as a chilled summer dessert.
If you don’t have hot chocolate mix, you can still make homemade chocolate pudding. Or make dirt pudding jars for a fun layered treat.
For a cozier treat, try making baked rice pudding from leftover rice. Or start with raw rice and make creamy rice pudding in the instant pot.
![Easy Cornmeal Pudding with Blueberry Sauce 1 martini glasses filled with cornmeal budino (pudding) and topped with a blueberry marmellata sauce.](https://cookingwithcarlee.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Budino2BClose-320x320.jpg.webp)
Easy Cornmeal Budino with Blueberry Marmellata
Equipment
Ingredients
Budino
- ½ cup polenta or cornmeal
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup light brown sugar packed
- 1 pinch salt
- 1 Tablespoon butter
- 1 egg
- ¼ cup heavy cream or whole milk
Marmellata
- 2 cups blueberries
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 pinch salt
Instructions
Budino
- In a large saucepan, bring two cups of water to a boil. Gradually add polenta or cornmeal while vigorously whisking. Continue to whisk until smooth.½ cup polenta
- Reduce heat to low and continue to cook and whisk until thickened, this should just take a few minutes.
- Stir in sugar, brown sugar and salt. Keep cooking over low heat and stirring frequently until the mixture thickens again and the cornmeal is softened. This only took me about 15 minutes, but polenta may take as much as 25.⅓ cup granulated sugar, ¼ cup light brown sugar, 1 pinch salt
- Remove from heat and whisk in butter.1 Tablespoon butter
- In a small bowl, mix together egg and milk. Vigorously beat egg mixture into hot cornmeal mixture. Spoon into a bowl. Press plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the pudding and refrigerate until ready to serve.1 egg, ¼ cup heavy cream or whole milk
Marmellata
- Bring 1½ cups of the blueberries, sugar, lemon juice, and salt to a boil over medium heat stirring frequently. Immediately drop heat to low and continue to cook, simmer and stir until berries are popped and the mixture is thickened. This should take about 10 minutes.¾ cup granulated sugar, 1 Tablespoon lemon juice, 1 pinch salt
- Stir in the remaining ½ cup of blueberries. Remove from heat, cover and chill.
Serving
- To serve, stir budino to loosen it. Spoon into serving dishes. Top with blueberry marmellata and serve.
Unknown
Monday 22nd of August 2016
I want one now! This looks divine. Thanks so much for sharing your recipe with us at Funtastic Friday.
Carlee
Monday 22nd of August 2016
I would love to share! Thank you!
Unknown
Sunday 14th of August 2016
Sounds pretty good to me. Recipes that don't require a run to the store definitely get bonus points in my home, too.
Carlee
Monday 15th of August 2016
That's almost make or break around here! If the mood strikes and the ingredients are here then it's a winner from the start!
Unknown
Sunday 14th of August 2016
Really fun different dessert! 😀. 9 out of 10 is big for husbands! I'll have to give it a try! Thanks Michelle
Carlee
Monday 15th of August 2016
When he rates a recipe without me asking, I know he likes it! He'll either rate it or give me "permission" to make it whenever I want. That's how I know I have winner on my hands! Thanks!
Unknown
Saturday 13th of August 2016
Carlee, I am so in love with this recipe! First off it looks incredible, second, it's gluten free! I'm swooning and I can't wait to try it. Off to grab some polenta!! Yum! You are so creative, you inspire me! xx
Carlee
Sunday 14th of August 2016
Thanks, Nikki! It is a great gluten free dessert. I was so excited to give it a try. I just love things like this that are a bit different but really approachable. Plus I love it when I try a few little adjustments and it works out like I envision! It's like a fun experiment!
Big Rigs 'n Lil' Cookies
Friday 12th of August 2016
Well, if this is approved by your husband, I need to try it on mine!
Carlee
Friday 12th of August 2016
It was fun to try something different! I hope he likes it!