📝 Introduction
Have you ever tasted that light, bouncy pudding from a Korean dessert café and thought, “I wish I could make this at home?” Well, you absolutely can — and with ease!
This Korean-style milk pudding recipe is smooth, sweet, and surprisingly simple. Moreover, it doesn’t require an oven, making it ideal even if you’re a beginner in the kitchen.
🛒 Ingredients You’ll Need
First and foremost, let’s take a look at the ingredients you’ll need:
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Whole Milk | 2 cups (480ml) |
| Eggs | 2 large |
| Sugar | 3 tablespoons |
| Vanilla Extract | 1 teaspoon (optional) |
| Salt | A pinch |
Optional Caramel Base
Additionally, if you want to make a layered pudding with a sweet kick, add:
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Sugar | 3 tablespoons |
| Water | 1 tablespoon |
✨ Pro tip: You can double the caramel if you love extra flavor at the bottom.
👨🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these instructions carefully — each one builds on the last. Let’s dive in!
🔥 Step 1: Make the Caramel (Optional)
To begin with, let’s create the caramel layer:
- In a small pan, mix 3 tablespoons of sugar and 1 tablespoon of water.
- Then, place it over medium heat. At this point, do not stir.
- After a few minutes, the mixture will start bubbling and darkening.
- Eventually, it will turn a golden brown. When that happens, immediately pour it into your pudding cups.
⚠️ Be mindful: Caramel continues cooking even after it’s removed from heat — move quickly!
🥛 Step 2: Heat the Milk
Once the caramel is ready, it’s time to prepare the milk base:
- Pour 2 cups of milk into a saucepan.
- After that, add sugar and a pinch of salt.
- Stir gently over low heat until the sugar dissolves.
- Then, remove it from heat and let it cool slightly for 2–3 minutes.
💡 In other words, don’t skip this cooling step — it prevents the eggs from cooking too fast later.
🥚 Step 3: Beat the Eggs
In the meantime, let’s prep the eggs:
- Crack the eggs into a bowl and beat them lightly — no foam!
- Once the milk has cooled a little, gradually pour it into the eggs, whisking the whole time.
- Stir in vanilla extract for extra flavor, if desired.
✍️ At this stage, you should have a pale yellow, creamy mixture.
🔍 Step 4: Strain for Smoothness
Before moving forward, strain your mixture:
- Use a fine mesh sieve to pour the liquid into another bowl.
- By doing this, you remove any solids or air bubbles that might ruin the pudding’s smooth texture.
🧽 Once again, don’t skip this — it’s key for that clean, jiggly finish.
🍮 Step 5: Steam the Pudding
Now that your base is ready, it’s time to cook:
- Pour the mixture into ramekins or jars.
- Cover each one with foil — this prevents water from dripping in.
- Next, place them in a steamer or a pot with a rack and some water.
- Steam gently on low heat for 15–20 minutes.
🔥 Without a doubt, low heat is essential — high heat causes curdling and bubbles.
❄️ Step 6: Chill and Serve
Once steaming is done, you’re nearly there:
- Carefully remove the ramekins and let them cool at room temperature.
- Afterward, transfer them to the fridge and chill for at least 2–3 hours.
- Finally, serve cold — either in the jar or flipped onto a plate.
🧊 For that reason, many people prepare these the night before — it’s the easiest way to ensure a perfect set.
Flavor Ideas You Can Try
If you’re feeling creative, try one of these flavor upgrades:
| Flavor | Add |
|---|---|
| Matcha | 1 tsp matcha powder (dissolved in warm milk) |
| Black Sesame | 1 tbsp black sesame paste |
| Coffee | 1 tsp instant coffee (add to milk while warming) |
| Vegan | Soy milk + agar powder + silken tofu instead of eggs |
🌿 On top of that, you can mix in honey, chocolate syrup, or fruit jam for something extra.
📌 Final Thoughts
To wrap up, this Korean-style milk pudding recipe is more than just a dessert — it’s a delightful experience. It’s soft, lightly sweet, and totally customizable.
In the end, you’ll have a gorgeous, creamy pudding that rivals what you’d find in any Korean café. Serve it to guests or keep it all to yourself — we won’t judge.
🍽️ For best results, use high-quality milk and eggs, and don’t rush the chilling process!
