Corn pudding is one of those timeless side dishes that always finds its way to my holiday table. It’s creamy, lightly sweet, and packed with corn flavor, making it the perfect balance between a casserole and a custard. This recipe is simple to prepare, and it’s one I come back to again and again for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Sunday dinners.

Corn Pudding recipe in white baking dish with a wooden spoon.

Corn Pudding Recipe

I love how nostalgic this corn pudding dish feels. It reminds me of family gatherings where everyone went back for seconds. Corn pudding, or corn soufflé, is such a simple side with just a few pantry staples whisked together and baked until golden. It only takes minutes to prep, always gets rave reviews, and proves that sometimes the simplest recipes are the best. If it is a tradition in your home too, I would love to hear how you serve it in the comments.

Tips for Beginners

  • If pudding is too runny. Corn pudding should have a soft, custard-like texture, but if it comes out soupy, just bake it a bit longer until the center is set. You can also stir in an extra tablespoon of flour to help thicken it up next time.
  • Dry pudding. If the pudding feels more stiff than creamy, reduce the baking time slightly or add 2 tablespoons of milk to loosen the custard. Using whole milk or cream instead of low-fat also helps keep it rich and moist.
  • The type of corn makes a difference. Fresh corn adds the most flavor, but be sure to cut it off the cob and blot it dry. Frozen corn should be thawed and patted dry, while canned corn needs to be well-drained before mixing in. This prevents excess liquid from making the pudding watery.
Recipe Card

Corn Pudding Recipe

4.78 from 27 votes
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 1 hour
Total: 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Author: Becky Hardin
Your holiday table isn't complete without CLASSIC CORN PUDDING! This delicious side dish is the perfect complement for Thanksgiving foods such as turkey and greens or Christmas favorites, especially ham. YUM!
Corn Pudding is the perfect mix of creamy and savory. This easy corn pudding recipe is the best holiday side dish.
Step-by-step photos can be seen below the recipe card.
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Equipment

  • Kitchen Scale (optional)
  • 9×9-inch Baking Pan

Ingredients 

  • 2 tbsp granulated sugar 25g
  • 2 tbsp all-purpose flour 15g
  • 1 tsp baking powder 4g
  • tsp kosher salt 5g
  • ¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes
  • 3 large eggs 150g, lightly beaten
  • 1 cup heavy cream 227g
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter 57g, melted (½ stick)
  • 3 cups corn kernels 375g (fresh, frozen, or canned. If using canned, fully drain)
  • 4 slices crumbled cooked bacon optional
  • chopped fresh herbs for garnish (parsley, cilantro, basil, thyme, rosemary)

Video

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 350°F and spray a 9×9-inch or 1½ quart casserole dish with cooking spray.
  • In a small bowl, stir the sugar, flour, baking powder, salt, and red pepper flakes together.
    2 tbsp granulated sugar, 2 tbsp all-purpose flour, 1 tsp baking powder, 1½ tsp kosher salt, ¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes
  • In a large bowl, whisk the eggs, cream, and melted butter together.
    3 large eggs, 1 cup heavy cream, ¼ cup unsalted butter
  • While whisking, add the sugar mixture to the egg mixture. Whisk until smooth. Add corn (and bacon, if using) and stir until combined.
    3 cups corn kernels, 4 slices crumbled cooked bacon
  • Pour mixture into sprayed baking dish and bake at 350°F just until set in the middle and golden brown, 45-60 minutes.
  • Remove from oven and let stand 5 minutes before serving.
  • Garnish with your favorite herb and serve.
    chopped fresh herbs

Becky’s Tips

  • If your corn is very wet, you can toast it in a pan set over medium heat for a few minutes to remove excess moisture.
  • Nutritional information does not include optional ingredients.
Serving: 1servingCalories: 319kcalCarbohydrates: 17gProtein: 6gFat: 25gSaturated Fat: 15gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 158mgSodium: 823mgPotassium: 166mgFiber: 0.1gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 979IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 84mgIron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Did you make this? Leave a comment!

How to Make Corn Pudding Step by Step

Gather the ingredients. Preheat the oven to 350°F and spray a 9×9-inch (or 1½ quart) casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray.

Whisking dry ingredients in a glass bowl on a wooden cutting board with red pepper flakes nearby

Mix the dry ingredients: In a small bowl, stir together 2 tbsp granulated sugar (25 g), 2 tbsp all-purpose flour (15g), 1 tsp baking powder (4g), 1½ tsp kosher salt (5g), and ¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes.

Mixing wet ingredients until smooth in a clear glass bowl

Mix the wet ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk 3 large eggs (150g, lightly beaten), 1 cup heavy cream (227g), and ¼ cup melted unsalted butter (57g, ½ stick) until smooth.

Mixing wet and dry ingredients until smooth in a clear glass bowl

Whisk together: While whisking, slowly add the dry sugar-flour mixture into the egg mixture and whisk until no lumps remain.

Folding corn kernels into the creamy pudding mixture with a spatula

Add the corn: Stir in 3 cups corn kernels (fresh, frozen, or drained canned) and, if desired, 4 slices of crumbled cooked bacon until everything is well combined.

Unbaked corn pudding mixture poured into a round baking dish ready for the oven

Bake the pudding: Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish and bake for 45–60 minutes, until the center is just set and the top is lightly golden.

Golden baked corn pudding fresh out of the oven in a white round casserole dish

Let the pudding rest: Remove from the oven and let the pudding rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Close-up of baked corn pudding in a white casserole dish with a portion scooped out, showing creamy corn filling beneath the golden top

Garnish and serve: Garnish with chopped fresh herbs like parsley, cilantro, basil, thyme, or rosemary, and enjoy warm.

Baked corn pudding with a golden crust in a white casserole dish, a wooden spoon resting inside after scooping out a serving

Variations on Corn Souffle

Corn pudding is a classic on its own, but it’s easy to customize depending on your taste or the occasion.

Sweet Options

  • Extra sweet: Add 2–3 tablespoons more sugar for a dessert-like version.
  • Warm spice: Stir in a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg for a cozy holiday twist.
  • Vanilla touch: A splash of vanilla extract adds a subtle sweetness and warmth.
  • Sweet topping: Serve with a drizzle of honey or maple syrup right before serving.

Savory Options

  • Cheesy: Mix in shredded cheddar, Monterey Jack, or parmesan for extra richness.
  • Herbed: Add chopped fresh herbs like thyme, chives, or parsley for fresh flavor.
  • Spicy: Stir in diced jalapeño, poblano peppers, or a dash of cayenne for a little kick.
  • Smoky: Fold in cooked bacon or smoked paprika for a savory depth of flavor.

How to Store and Reheat

Store leftovers in the refrigerator (cover the baking dish with aluminum foil or plastic wrap) for up to 5 days. To reheat it, put it back in the oven at 300°F until it’s warm. I recommend covering the dish while it heats up to retain moisture.

Freeze corn pudding tightly wrapped in 2 layers of plastic wrap and 1 layer of aluminum foil for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

You can assemble the corn pudding up to 24 hours in advance. Mix everything together, pour it into the baking dish, and cover tightly with plastic wrap or foil. Keep it in the refrigerator until you are ready to bake, then bring it to room temperature while the oven preheats. This makes holiday prep so much easier since you can pop it straight into the oven when you need it.

Serving Suggestions

Corn pudding is one of those sides that feels right at home on a holiday table. I love serving it alongside the classics like mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, and stuffing because it adds a creamy, slightly sweet contrast to all the savory dishes. It pairs beautifully with roast turkey or baked ham, and I always find people going back for seconds.

More Holiday Corn dishes to try

Meet Becky Hardin

Becky Hardin is a wife and mother living in Saint Louis Missouri. She founded The Cookie Rookie in 2012 as a creative way to share recipes. Now, she is a trusted resource for easy cooking around the world, being featured in Taste of Home, The Kitchn, ABC’s Home and Family, and more. Here at The Cookie Rookie she is the editor in chief of all recipes and continues to enjoy sharing her passion for cooking for busy families. She has since founded two additional food blogs, Easy Chicken Recipes and Easy Dessert Recipes.

4.78 from 27 votes (26 ratings without comment)
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9 Comments
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Jeri
Jeri
March 31, 2021 6:23 pm

A recipe from my childhood! Would it be okay to use half and half in place of the cream? That is all I have at hand at the moment. Thanks…

Becky Hardin
Becky Hardin
April 1, 2021 3:18 pm
Reply to  Jeri

I am sure you can give it a try!

jenny
jenny
February 12, 2019 3:48 am

5 stars
This is good

Laura
Laura
December 23, 2017 2:46 pm

do I cook the frozen corn first?

192.168.1.1
192.168.1.1
October 6, 2017 4:34 am

Maybe I need a chef make it.

Dana K Brown
Dana K Brown
October 4, 2017 12:03 pm

There is a *See note after the fresh corn kernels ingredient but I don’t find the note. Did I over look it or is not included?

Love your recipes!!

charles
charles
October 4, 2017 3:36 pm
Reply to  Dana K Brown

I can’t find the the note either. I hope I can use frozen corn.