Licena dessert, classic grandmothers recipe

Post of cornstarch with milk

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How are you, friends? Welcome to another Paulina Cocina show! Today we're going to make the classic cornstarch dessert . So easy and practical!

If there's anyone in this room who doesn't have childhood flashbacks when they try a cornstarch dessert, raise your hand. I don't think there's anyone who doesn't. When asked what these little desserts taste like, the correct answer is: childhood .

It's very economical and super quick to make . Plus, it's not just good for the classic way of eating it in small cups. It can be used as a base for a million different things!

About the cornstarch dessert

As I was saying, this dessert was the most popular in our house. Why? Because it's very affordable and nutritious. Like any family recipe, it has as many variations as there are families. The recipe I'm bringing you today is mine, the one I usually make at home. 

You can make it without egg, with a little more cornstarch . Or instead of just the yolk, you can use the whole egg (in this case, instead of three yolks, you would use a single egg).

I recommend trying different ways to find your favorite. For me, using just the yolk gives it a taste more like custard , but smooth. It's as if a crème brûlée and a pastry chef met on a dating app and hit it off, got married, and had a little baby: the cornstarch dessert.

And before you freak out, YES, I know it's not the same blah blah. Use your imagination, don't be annoying.

Can I just eat cornstarch dessert like my grandma made?

No, my friend, reader (?). Give it a go. Your grandmother shouldered the team, bringing you an inexpensive and delicious recipe. Now you put a little twist on it.

Variations on the classic cornstarch dessert

  1. Using a different type of milk: Each plant-based milk has a distinct flavor that gives your dessert a unique personality. If you haven't tried them yet, go ahead and try them! You don't have to be vegan or vegetarian to try them; they're delicious!
  2. Infusing the milk: You can try changing the flavoring. Instead of vanilla and citrus, use something else like cinnamon. Or for those who want to go a little further, there's also lemongrass.
    If you like tea blends, you can try that too! Don't add too much; just a touch. The flavor should always remain mild. That's the magic of cornstarch pudding.
    This is always done by adding the flavoring from a cold source. Once it's infused, strain it and follow the recipe exactly as described.
  3. Adding things to the custard once it's cooked: When the cornstarch dessert is ready, you can add unsweetened cocoa or grated chocolate (when you stir it, it will melt and combine, creating a chocolate dessert—highly recommended).
    You can also add some red fruit so that when it's heated, it becomes like a fake jam, and the custard takes on a beautiful marbled color.
  4. Toppings: the old reliable. You can play however you want here.
    From sprinkles to pieces of fresh fruit to jellies. There's no limit, friends!
  5. Another classic option is to put sugar on top and burn it with a blowtorch or in the oven using the gratin option.

The wonderful thing about cornstarch pudding (or custard, whatever you call it) is that it's a dessert base. It has a fairly neutral flavor, so it goes well with 98.888% of things. And 76.333% of people like it. All tested by the University of Massachusetts. Or maybe I dreamed it... Well, I don't know.

You can use this mixture to fill pies, but keep in mind that you'll need to make it a little more substantial. You can adjust this with the amount of egg yolks and/or cornstarch.

I hope you're encouraged to remake your cornstarch dessert, tell me how you do it!

Enjoy the recipe. See you later 🙂

Cornstarch Dessert Recipe

How to make cornstarch dessert

Ingredients

  • 2 cups of milk
  • ½ cup of sugar
  • 3 yolks
  • 2 tablespoons of cornstarch
  • Vanilla essence
  • Orange or lemon peel

How to make Grandma's classic cornstarch dessert

It takes less than 15 minutes!

  1. Heat the milk with the zest of your chosen citrus fruit and the sugar. Once the sugar has dissolved, remove the lemon or orange zest.
  2. Meanwhile, separately, mix the egg yolks with the cornstarch and a splash of milk very well. Be careful not to leave lumps.
  3. Add this mixture to the hot milk. If making it in a small saucepan, reduce the heat to low and whisk constantly with a whisk to eliminate lumps. It'll be ready in two minutes, so be careful! If making it in the microwave, mix well and microwave for one minute. Then, stir every few minutes until the desired consistency is reached.
  4. Once it has a dessert consistency, serve it in small glasses and refrigerate it. You'll know it's ready because when you taste it, you won't taste the cornstarch, and when you lift it with a spoon or whisk, the cream will hold together. Once it's cool, it's ready! Enjoy!

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dack
July 22, 2025, 1:36 am

I make it with 1 egg, three tablespoons of cornstarch and a glass of milk, then I add vanilla essence and a few teaspoons of sugar, one or two teaspoons of cocoa powder or dulce de leche, butter or meringues, mashed banana with honey or sugar, even with cinnamon and turmeric, it is a dessert that can absorb any flavor

Romi
July 9, 2025, 11:43 am

How lovely it is when flavors tell us stories =) My mom made it with vanilla wafers in the base, soaked in milk and a little sugar, my grandmother and I still make it today, used all the leftover broken cookies that are always left in the packages that no one wants anymore and made a base by roughly crumbling the cookies until it covered a cake tin, she added a few drops of milk on top to moisten them and on top the cornstarch dessert. Impeccable, delicious and really cheap.

Nora Duval
June 23, 2025, 3:36 pm

Thanks Paulina, I was looking for this recipe so hard!!! My mom used to hide our poverty with this dessert, and she made it delicious, but she was never able to give me the recipe. Thank you so much, you did me a world of good remembering the hard-working mom I had, ensuring we could eat delicious and nutritious food with whatever she could.

ClauRo
May 10, 2025, 8:08 pm

I love you, Paulina!!! I just finished the recipe. I added strawberry jam to the base. The crowd is complaining, but I cook how I like it here. Everyone is amazed watching me make a dessert (I never cook sweets), but since I love your recipes so much, I decided to try this one. If it turns out well, the next time I'll make carrot pudding, which I'm sure is among your recipes.

Valeria
April 11, 2025, 2:25 pm

I made it exactly as per the recipe! It's delicious! But to make it thicker, I had to add two more tablespoons of cornstarch, and for my taste, it's too sweet. It should have been less sugar.

Maria Victoria
November 22, 2024, 11:28 pm

I like your recipes Paulina, thank you

Gisel
September 28, 2023, 9:41 pm

What do I do if I put too much cornstarch in it and it's left with a really... really cornstarch taste? Haha, so were they level tablespoons? Or heaping? 🙁 I think I wasted ingredients; it's not very tasty.

Pink
February 28, 2023, 8:04 pm

Delicious, just what I was looking for. I've been eating that since I was very little, and it brought back memories of my childhood with my beautiful grandmother.

Grise
February 3, 2023, 5:13 pm

I made it!!! It turned out delicious! Is
my son happy with the dessert?

Irma
January 26, 2023, 8:17 am

Hello, why does it collect liquid when it cools?

Fabiana
January 22, 2023, 5:41 pm

Serenito, who kisses you, Dad? Who kisses you? 😉

Maria Irene
November 23, 2022, 11:48 am

I'm going to try your recipe this afternoon, since I'm waiting for the milkman. I'll make it with cow's milk. I'll let you know how it turned out.

Alicia Victoria
October 27, 2022, 11:10 pm

Today I remembered the desserts of my childhood and I'm going to make your recipe. Hugs!

Ann
October 19, 2022, 2:41 pm

So easy! In the end, instead of chocolate, I use instant coffee. It's delicious! Thanks, Pau!

Daniel
September 24, 2022, 11:55 am

Easy and simple
Thank you very much!

Flower
September 17, 2022, 7:58 pm

Paulina, first I love you, second... the yolk is cooked, right? Is it safe for children?

Maria Teresita Italiano
August 29, 2022, 3:42 pm

Your recipes are great! I only use vegetarian ones.

Andrea
August 17, 2022, 12:51 am

At 43, I wanted to try cornstarch dessert, and I chose your recipe. I loved it!

mica
July 27, 2022, 2:11 pm

I loved the writing hahaha

Lourdes
July 2, 2022, 8:46 pm

Very good

CLAU
June 14, 2022, 9:36 pm

Your recipe book is boring, impractical and cumbersome.

Angelica
June 14, 2022, 10:16 am

I love your recipes!

Magda
June 14, 2022, 9:14 am

How delicious! I'm going to try your recipe. My mom used to make it with caramel on the bottom, like flan, and without eggs. We loved that dessert cold, and I've never gotten the consistency of hers, which she used to make by eye.

Cintia
May 23, 2022, 11:14 pm

Hi Paulinaaaa, my son loves it! Question: How long does it last in the refrigerator?

Oscar
May 13, 2022, 5:57 am

Thanks.
I'll give you a treat.
Banana pudding with a neutral spreadable cheese and a slice of sweet potato with chocolate!
Amazing!

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