Ginataang Mais: Filipino Coconut Rice Pudding with Corn
Ginataang Mais is a Filipino Coconut Rice Pudding with Corn. Especially delicious warm, it’s a cozy dessert or sweet snack made with sticky rice, coconut milk, and corn!
If you love rice pudding, you’ll love this cozy Filipino-style sticky rice pudding cooked in coconut milk with corn! This recipe comes from Quintessential Filipino Cooking, by Liza Agbanlog.
If you were to walk into my kitchen right now, you would never know that there was a camera crew with all manner of equipment set up, or that we shot three recipe videos, or that this was the first time all day that I actually sat down. The kitchen is spotless, dishes put away, and it feels like an ordinary weeknight here at the Baker house.
After a busy morning, you would think that I would sit down immediately, but instead, I pulled out a saucepan and fired up the stove one more time. I was craving something warm and comforting, something that reminded me of my childhood, a treat after a tiring day.
I brought some coconut milk to a simmer and stirred in some sticky rice, the short little grains tinkling into the pan as they dived into the milky pool. It didn’t take long for the coconut milk to bubble, and once the rice was soft and plump, I stirred some sugar and kernels of sweet corn.
Ginataang Mais is a sweet snack or dessert my mom used to make for us when we were little, and I remember it being such a treat. I loved it best by the spoonful straight out of the pan – it’s nothing fancy, really just a cozy rice pudding, Filipino-style. The corn may be surprising, but I assure you, as it soaks the sweet coconut flavors, you’ll see that it’s like a creamed corn that falls in love with rice pudding. Surprising, yet very sensible.
Since October is Filipino-American Heritage Month, I thought this would be the perfect time to share some of my favorites with you, starting with something sweet! This particular recipe comes from a newly released cookbook, Quintessential Filipino Cooking: 75 Authentic and Classic Recipes of the Philippines, by Liza Agbanlog. Her book is full of traditional recipes that I grew up eating, dishes that are on rotation at my house already, like chicken adobo and mechado, as well as those that are suited for parties and larger gatherings, like fresh lumpia and pancit. It really is a perfect primer if you’re just getting started with Filipino cooking.
As I stirred the pudding and gave it a taste, I realized that it was the kind of dessert my kids would love. After all, my daughter has been asking me to make its cousin, Ginataang Bilo-Bilo, a similar coconut dessert that we love to make around the holidays. This just happens to be far simpler. And perfect for treating yourself whenever you feel like you deserve just a little something extra.
Disclosure: I was sent a copy of Quintessential Filipino Cooking for review. All opinions, are of course, my own. There may be affiliate links in the post, see my Disclosure page to learn more.
More Filipino Desserts
Looking for more Filipino desserts and sweet treats? Try these favorites!
Bibingka: Filipino Coconut-Rice Cake
Mamon: Filipino Sponge Cake
Leche Flan
Pumpkin Leche Flan
Coconut Leche Flan
Champorado: Filipino Chocolate Rice Pudding
Ginataang Bilo-Bilo
Filipino Coconut Rice Pudding with Corn: Ginataang Mais
Ingredients
- 4 cups coconut milk
- 1/2 cup glutinous rice rinsed and drained
- 1 1/2 cups whole kernel corn
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup half & half cream optional
Instructions
- In a saucepan, combine the coconut milk and rice, and bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Cook, stirring regularly, over low heat until the rice is cooked, about 25 minutes.
- Add the corn and sugar, and continue cooking for 5 minutes.
- Serve hot or cold and drizzled with cream, if desired.
Notes
Nutrition
Comments
COOKBOOK
Could you sub tapioca pearls instead of sweet rice
Hi Julie, while you could certainly substitute small tapioca pearls, it would be a slightly different dessert! If you’re looking for a version with tapioca, try my other recipe, it’s one of my personal favorites! https://kitchenconfidante.com/ginataang-bilo-bilo-recipe
Made this today and it was so good! The perfect comfort food for a rainy spring day in England
I’m so glad you enjoyed the Ginataang Mais, Emily!!
I made this today and the first bite took me back to my childhood in the Philippines :) Thank you so much for sharing this recipe!
I am SO happy that it brought back those delicious memories!! Thank you for coming back to let me know!
Hi Liren! I lost my mom 2 years back. I used to make this dish/dessert before we lost her but I was just guessing – you know… pinoys cooking and baking without recipes! Anyway, since she’s been gone I’ve made a few desserts that she used to make but none of them seemed quite right. I found your site and this recipe was spot on!
Hi Jojo, I am so sorry to hear that – I know that there are many recipes that remind me of my own mom that we also lost along with her since they weren’t written down, so I understand how especially meaningful it is when you are able to recreate those flavors. I’m so glad that this Ginataang Mais was spot on for you and brought back those memories of your mom. Thank you so much for letting me know!
Just like mom used to make.
So glad it brought back delicious memories!
I love love love anything that has to do with rice pudding. It’s just the ultimate comfort food to me. And this looks like a perfect example to try out. Thanks for the recipe Liren. That books looks awesome too by the way
This is perfect!
Please keep posting and cooking. I really happy to find your lovely blog.
Very nice recipe. thanks for sharing.