Stovetop Maizena Vanilla Cinnamon Pudding
Silky Puerto Rican-style Maizena pudding scented with warm cinnamon and sweet vanilla, perfect for a simple, comforting dessert. This latin american-inspired desserts (vegetarian) ready in about 15 minutes pairs cornstarch (Maizena), granulated sugar, whole milk for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 180 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup cornstarch (Maizena)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 4 cups whole milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tbsp butter
Instructions
- Step 1: In a medium saucepan, whisk together 1/4 cup cornstarch and 1/2 cup granulated sugar until well combined.
- Step 2: Gradually add 4 cups whole milk to the saucepan, whisking constantly to dissolve the cornstarch and sugar without lumps.
- Step 3: Place saucepan over medium heat and cook, stirring continuously, for 8-10 minutes until the mixture thickens to a pudding consistency and begins to bubble gently.
- Step 4: Remove from heat and stir in 1 tsp vanilla extract, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, and 1 tbsp butter until the butter melts and the pudding is smooth and fragrant.
- Step 5: Pour pudding into individual serving dishes and let cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving chilled.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Stovetop Maizena Vanilla Cinnamon Pudding take to make?
Total time is about 15 minutes (5 min prep + 10 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Stovetop Maizena Vanilla Cinnamon Pudding?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep cornstarch (maizena) from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Stovetop Maizena Vanilla Cinnamon Pudding?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Stovetop Maizena Vanilla Cinnamon Pudding for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Stovetop Maizena Vanilla Cinnamon Pudding vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
My family couldn't stop raving about this! Made it for a dinner party and it was a hit.
- ★★★★☆
Perfect for a quick dessert, and the cinnamon flavor was just right.
- ★★★★☆
Tasted great, but it took about 15 minutes longer than the recipe said to set.
