With the festive season round the corner, it is the perfect time to make cakes and puddings and share it with your loved ones. Everyone loves a good pudding. Desserts are often the best part of a meal. The very thought of making a creamy and mouthwatering pudding is enough to give you the impetus to start making one. To make the perfect pudding, do you need to use any special ingredient? Most homeowners use thickening agents to make their pudding just like the ones you eat in a restaurant. Whether simple or complex, these agents make the pudding creamy. If you have never used them and would love to make the most of them, then let’s learn more about thickening agent use to enhance your pudding making experience.
Why makes thickening agents the must have ingredient in homemade pudding?
One of the crucial reasons why you should use a thickening agent is that it helps to bind the ingredients together. It stabilizes the texture so that you don’t have to deal with a runt mess. Cornstarch is the staple ingredient in traditional desserts. It helps to give the desired texture to the pudding. But these thickening agents are FDA approved and are redefining the way one makes sweet dishes. If you are looking for a professional touch to your homemade pudding, you need to use this agent. Moreover, it enhances the shelf life of your pudding. Among the numerous options, the CMC is the most popular one. It is gluten-free and is available in a plant-based vegan option too.
Understanding thickening agents – the use of CMC
CMC stands for carboxymethyl cellulose, a water-soluble polymer. When you add store-bought CMC powder to your pudding, it improves the consistency and texture of the pudding. One of the major problems with making a pudding is that the egg tends to coagulate or the pudding may start to release water giving it the infamous runny texture. But with the use of CMC, you don’t have to worry about this. CMC is also known to work well under varying cooking temperatures.
Why do home cooks love thickening agents?
The use of thickening agents adds to the overall aroma, color and taste of the pudding. The thickness and texture get better. At the same time, you need to be careful about the choice of ingredients, cooking style and storage so that the final result is as desired. Also ensure that you use the right amount of the food additive.Â
Now, here is a simple pudding recipe for home cooks to make this festive season. It is easy to follow. Just make sure that you use the right measurements and follow the steps as mentioned. You can always add your personal touch if you want like adding cocoa powder to make chocolate flavored pudding or add caramel for that out of the world experience.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups of milk
- 1/3 cup of sugar
- 3 tablespoons of cornstarch
- 1/2 teaspoon of CMC
- 2 egg yolks1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
- Salt to taste
Instructions:
- Mix all sugar, cornstarch, and CMC
- Add liquids and whisk it properly so as to avoid lumps
- Mix milk and egg yolks and beat it well to achieve the smooth consistency
- Now put the mixture over medium heat
- Stir occasionally to avoid burning
- Let the mixture become thick
- Finally, check the back of the spoon to see the consistency of the mixture before removing it from the heat
Final Touch:
- Add the vanilla extract
- Pass the mixture into serving dishes
- Refrigerate for a minimum of 2 hours
Advanced Texture Tips:
- Whisk continuously for smooth consistency
- Use low flame or heat to avoid scorching
- Get professional-level rich texture with CMC
- Use a plastic wrap to avoid skin formation
Flavor Variations:
- Add cocoa powder if you want to make chocolate pudding
- Use high-quality vanilla extract so that when you serve the pudding, the aroma should fill the room
- Spread caramel sauce on the top before serving
If you’re looking for a savory pairing to balance your sweet treat, consider a packaged salads alongside your pudding to complete the meal.
What are you waiting for? Go ahead and try out this homemade pudding recipe for that mouthwatering experience.