Creamy Alton Brown Corn Pudding Recipe for Southern Sides

Corn pudding emerges as a Southern culinary treasure that transforms basic ingredients into pure comfort.

Kernels of golden sweetness nestle within a silky custard, creating a dish that whispers of family gatherings and cherished memories.

Each spoonful bursts with rich, creamy textures that dance across your palate with elegant simplicity.

Buttery undertones blend seamlessly with fresh corn, crafting a side dish that elevates any meal from ordinary to extraordinary.

Subtle herbs and delicate seasonings weave through the pudding, adding depth and complexity to its luxurious profile.

Warm and inviting, this recipe represents the heart of home-style cooking with its rustic charm and irresistible allure.

You’ll fall in love with every decadent, golden-hued bite of this soul-warming classic.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 25 minutes

Cook Time: 55 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes

Calories: 368 kcal

Servings: 5

Alton Brown’s Corn Pudding Ingredient List

• Butter: Choose unsalted for better flavor control.
• Onions: Select sweet varieties for gentle, caramelized notes.
• Fresh Herbs: Pick soft herbs like thyme or sage for subtle earthiness.

• Fresh Corn Kernels: Opt for peak-season sweet corn for vibrant taste.
• Heavy Cream: Select full-fat cream for rich, luxurious texture.
• Eggs: Use room temperature eggs for smoother blending.
• Cornmeal: Choose stone-ground for deeper corn flavor.
• Bread: Select day-old crusty bread for better absorption.
• Parmesan Cheese: Grate fresh for more intense, nutty undertones.

• Baking Soda: Helps create light, airy texture.
• Salt: Use kosher salt for balanced seasoning.
• Black Pepper: Freshly ground provides more robust flavor.

Tools You’ll Need for Alton Brown’s Corn Pudding

• Oven-safe skillet: Perfect for sautéing onions and baking the corn pudding in one pan.
• Large mixing bowl: Spacious container for combining all the delicious ingredients.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Precise tools to get the right amount of each ingredient.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Helpful for gently folding and mixing the corn pudding mixture.
• Sharp knife: Needed for cutting corn kernels and preparing ingredients.
• Oven mitts: Essential for safely handling the hot skillet during baking.

How to Prepare Alton Brown’s Corn Pudding

• Warm Up The Oven

Fire up your oven to a cozy 350°F, creating the perfect toasty environment for your corn pudding masterpiece.

• Sizzle Flavor Makers

In a trusty skillet, melt butter and dance some onions with aromatic herbs until they become soft and glowing with deliciousness.

• Craft The Corn Symphony

Blend fresh corn kernels with creamy ingredients, whisking eggs, sprinkling in cornmeal, and folding bread cubes into a harmonious mixture. Add generous pinches of Parmesan, salt, and pepper to awaken the flavors.

• Bake To Perfection

Transfer your corn mixture directly onto the sautéed onions in the skillet. Slide into the waiting oven and let magic happen for about 50 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the top turns a gorgeous golden brown and the center feels firm and confident.

• Serve With Love

Let the pudding rest for a few minutes after emerging from the oven. This brief pause allows everything to settle and become beautifully sliceable. Scoop out generous portions and savor the creamy, comforting goodness straight from the skillet.

Baking Tips for Alton Brown’s Corn Pudding

Explore exciting ways to make this classic dish uniquely yours while keeping its delicious essence intact.

Add diced jalapeños or a dash of cayenne pepper for a fiery kick that transforms the pudding into a zesty treat. Pepper lovers will go crazy for this extra-hot version.

Experiment with different cheese varieties like sharp cheddar, smoked gouda, or crumbled blue cheese to create unexpected flavor combinations that elevate the entire dish.

Incorporate crispy bacon bits, diced ham, or crumbled sausage to turn this side dish into a more substantial meal that satisfies hearty appetites.

Fold in fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary, or chives to introduce bright, aromatic notes that complement the corn’s natural sweetness and add a layer of complexity to the pudding.

Ways to Serve Alton Brown’s Corn Pudding

• Pair with Grilled Proteins: Serve alongside juicy barbecued chicken, tender grilled steak, or succulent roasted pork for a hearty meal that balances the creamy corn pudding.
• Create a Southern-Style Spread: Complement the dish with classic Southern sides like collard greens, black-eyed peas, or crispy fried okra to transport your taste buds to a traditional Southern feast.
• Add Fresh Garnishes: Sprinkle chopped chives, crumbled bacon bits, or a dollop of sour cream on top to enhance the flavors and add a delightful textural contrast to the creamy pudding.
• Craft a Brunch Centerpiece: Showcase this corn pudding as a star attraction at weekend brunches, pairing it with scrambled eggs, fresh fruit salad, and crispy bacon for a memorable morning meal.

Storing Leftovers of Alton Brown’s Corn Pudding

• Meal Planning & Storage Advice
• Make Ahead Magic: Prepare the corn pudding up to 2 days in advance, storing it covered in the refrigerator to save time during busy meal preparations.
• Portion and Freeze: Divide leftovers into individual servings, wrap tightly in freezer-safe containers to preserve freshness for up to 3 months.
• Reheat with Care: Warm refrigerated or frozen portions in the oven at 350°F, covering with foil to prevent drying out and maintain the pudding's creamy texture.
• Smart Serving Strategy: Best enjoyed within 3-4 days of preparation, pair with roasted meats or as a standalone comfort dish for quick and satisfying meals.

Silky Alton Brown Corn Pudding Recipe

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4.6 from 30 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Classic southern Alton Brown corn pudding brings comfort and richness to any meal. Sweet corn kernels meld with creamy custard for a delightful side dish you’ll savor with pure southern hospitality.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 (15 oz/425 g) can cream style sweet corn
• 2 cups cubed French bread
• ½ cup yellow cornmeal (whole grain, stone ground)
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 2 eggs
• ½ cup shredded Parmesan
• 1 oz (28 g) unsalted butter
• ½ onion, diced fine
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• ½ tsp thyme
• ½ tsp rosemary
• Ground black pepper

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Activate oven to 350°F with rack centered, ensuring optimal heat distribution for even cooking.
2. Sautéing Foundation: Melt butter in large oven-safe skillet over medium flame, infusing chopped onions with thyme and rosemary until translucent and caramelized, developing rich aromatic base.
3. Liquid Composition: Whisk eggs thoroughly, blending heavy cream into silky smooth mixture, creating foundational custard for pudding.
4. Seasoning Integration: Incorporate cornmeal, baking soda, Parmesan cheese, salt, and black pepper into egg-cream mixture, stirring until ingredients harmonize completely.
5. Texture Layering: Fold cubed bread into mixture, ensuring uniform coating and balanced distribution throughout pudding, enhancing overall texture and absorption.
6. Skillet Assembly: Spread corn and bread mixture evenly over caramelized onions, creating cohesive layer that promises complex flavor profile.
7. Baking Transformation: Roast in preheated oven for 45-50 minutes until surface achieves golden-brown hue and center becomes firm to gentle touch, indicating perfect doneness.
8. Resting Period: Allow pudding to settle for 10-15 minutes post-baking, enabling structural stabilization and flavor melding before serving.

Notes

• Caramelize Onions Carefully: Take time to slowly cook onions until they’re golden and sweet, which adds deep flavor complexity to the entire dish.
• Choose Bread Wisely: Select day-old bread for better texture absorption and to prevent soggy consistency in the pudding.
• Check Baking Doneness: Verify the center is set by gently pressing—it should feel firm but not hard, with a slight springy resistance.
• Temperature Matters: Allow skillet to be warm when adding mixture to help create a crispy bottom layer and ensure even cooking throughout the corn pudding.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 55 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Side Dish
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 368
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 610 mg
• Fat: 26 g
• Saturated Fat: 16 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 9 g
• Cholesterol: 110 mg