Maja Blanca Recipe - Easy No-Fail Recipe (2024)

by Jolina | | | 16 Comments
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Try this maja blanca recipe for the smoothest, creamiest maja blanca. A popular Filipino dessert, maja blanca is topped with shredded cheese or toasted coconut and perfect for special occasions like Christmas, fiestas and more.

(Homemade ube halaya and crema de fruta are also popular during the holiday season and special occasions. Try them! And if you love sweet corn treats, you’ll love ginataang mais.)

Maja Blanca Recipe - Easy No-Fail Recipe (1)

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Maja blanca ingredients

How to make maja blanca recipe

Tips for making the best maja blanca dessert

Maja Blanca Recipe

Recipes for other Filipino native delicacies

Maja blanca is a Filipino dessert made of coconut milk and corn. Also sometimes called coconut pudding, it’s light, creamy and refreshing.

Like many Filipino recipes, maja blanca recipes have many variations. Every region, province, and family have their own way of making maja.

Some recipes include sweetened condensed milk while others only use fresh milk or evaporated milk. Some people like to cook fresh sweet corn themselves while others use canned sweet corn kernels.

What’s common is maja blanca’s appearance on many Filipino tables at Christmastime and special occasions like birthdays and fiestas. It’s also a popular merienda or snack.

This simple maja blanca recipe has very few ingredients and so easy to make, you’ll want to make it all year and make every day special.

Maja blanca ingredients

Maja Blanca Recipe - Easy No-Fail Recipe (2)

To make this delicious maja blanca recipe, you only need 6 ingredients and water is one of them!

How to make maja blanca recipe

Maja Blanca Recipe - Easy No-Fail Recipe (8)

1 BRING TO A BOIL. To make maja blanca, first you’ll want to combine evaporated milk, coconut milk and sugar in a pot on medium heat and bring the mixture to a boil. The amount of sugar you put depends on how sweet you want your maja so start with ½ cup, taste, and adjust from there. I put between ¾ and 1 cup of sugar.

2 SIMMER. Lower heat and gradually add cornstarch mixture, stirring so you can ensure it incorporates and doesn’t form into lumps. Then add your corn.

3 STIR. Continuously stir your maja mixture until thick like pudding or until you get the consistency you want. This usually takes me 5-6 minutes. Just remember that the maja will continue to set as it cools.

4 CHILL. Immediately transfer the maja to a baking dish or container that’s been lightly oiled (I use baking sprayMaja Blanca Recipe - Easy No-Fail Recipe (9); you can also use coconut oil) and allow to cool. Once it comes down to room temperature, chill in the fridge for at least 4 hours so it can continue to set.

5 SERVE AND ENJOY. To serve, sprinkle the top with shredded cheese (whatever kind you like), coconut flakes or toasted coconut (latik). Best served cold.

Tips for making the best maja blanca dessert

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This delicious maja recipe is so easy to make and super simple — the hardest part is waiting! Here are more tips so your maja blanca is perfect every time.

How to make sure maja sets

The most common issue when making maja is the mixture doesn’t set properly. To avoid this, make sure to:

  • Fully dissolve the cornstarch in water before adding it into your milk mixture.
  • When adding the cornstarch mixture into your milk mixture, do so gradually and while stirring to avoid lumps and to make sure the cornstarch is incorporated properly.
  • Stir until the mixture is thick. This also ensures you don’t get burnt patches at the bottom of the pot.
  • Allow the maja to cool down to room temperature then chill in the fridge for at least 4 hours. For good measure, I always chill mine overnight.

How to store maja blanca

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Maja needs to be stored in the fridge where it should last up to 3 days.

After that, while it might still be okay to eat, you’ll notice liquid forming at the bottom of your baking dish so try to consume the maja before then.

Maja is such a simple but delicious Filipino dessert. Whether you serve it to company or eat it for merienda with your family, enjoy!

Maja Blanca Recipe - Easy No-Fail Recipe (12)

Maja Blanca Recipe

Author: Jolina

Try this maja blanca recipe for the smoothest, creamiest maja blanca. A popular Filipino dessert, maja blanca is topped with shredded cheese or toasted coconut and perfect for special occasions like Christmas, fiestas and more.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Chill Time 8 hours hrs

Total Time 8 hours hrs 30 minutes mins

Course Dessert

Cuisine Filipino

Servings 16 servings

Calories 55 kcal

Ingredients

Instructions

  • In a large pot on medium heat, combine 1 can evaporated milk, 1 can coconut milk and sugar (see notes) and bring the mixture to a boil.

  • Lower heat and gradually add cornstarch mixture, stirring so you can ensure it incorporates and doesn’t form into lumps. Then add 1 can of whole kernel corn.

  • Continuously stir your maja mixture until thick like pudding or until you get the consistency you want. This usually takes me 5-6 minutes. Just remember that the maja will continue to set as it cools.

  • Immediately transfer the maja to a baking dish or container that’s been lightly oiled (I use baking spray; you can also use coconut oil) and allow to cool. Once it comes down to room temperature, chill in the fridge for at least 4 hours so it can continue to set (I prefer to chill mine overnight).

  • To serve, sprinkle the top with shredded cheese, coconut flakes or toasted coconut (latik). Best served cold.

Video

Notes

  1. Yield depends on how big or small you cut your maja blanca.
  2. The amount of sugar you put depends on how sweet you want your maja so start with ½ cup, taste, and adjust from there. I put between ¾ and 1 cup of sugar.
  3. See post for cooking and storage tips.

Nutrition

Calories: 55kcalCarbohydrates: 14gProtein: 1gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 1mgSodium: 1mgFiber: 1gSugar: 6gIron: 1mg

Nutritional information are estimates only.

Tried this recipe? Leave a star rating today!Also tag @iamtheunlikelybaker I’d love to see your creations.

Happy cooking!

Did you make this maja blanca recipe? I’d love to hear from you in the comments section below.

Recipes for other Filipino native delicacies

If you love making homemade Filipino delicacies, you’ll love these:

Maja Blanca Recipe - Easy No-Fail Recipe (13)
Maja Blanca Recipe - Easy No-Fail Recipe (14)
Maja Blanca Recipe - Easy No-Fail Recipe (15)
Maja Blanca Recipe - Easy No-Fail Recipe (16)

Cassava cake with macapuno is a traditional Filipino dessert made of grated cassava, coconut milk, condensed milk and macapuno. No mixer needed and I only use 1 bowl. Make’s for easy clean-up!

This homemade taho recipe will transport you back to the Philippines – early mornings just before school, enjoying a warm mug of taho, with extra arnibal and sago!

Make this suman recipe for a delicious Filipino merienda of glutinous rice and coconut milk, wrapped in banana leaves and steamed to sticky perfection. Eat it with mangoes in the summer or dip it in tsokolate in the winter. Delicious!

Filipino egg pie is a rich, creamy custard baked in a buttery pie crust. A childhood favourite of many Filipinos, this egg pie will transport you back to the Philippines at first bite.

Maja Blanca Recipe - Easy No-Fail Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Why is my maja blanca not firm? ›

Your Maja Blanca might be missing its smooth texture because of incorrectly handled cornstarch. Many people incorrectly distribute the cornstarch mixture, which gives your pudding a poor texture. Additionally, not stirring the cornstarch mixture enough while cooking can also add to the problem.

What thickener is used to thicken the consistency of maja blanca? ›

Cornstarch: Acts as a thickening agent to give Maja Blanca its pudding-like consistency.

What can I use instead of cornstarch in making maja blanca? ›

You can make maja blanca into a pudding instead. You can avoid this with a simple ingredient substitute: use rice flour. Rice flour has similar thickening properties as cornstarch but it has a slight advantage: it won't return to a liquid if you overcook the rice flour.

Why is my panna cotta not setting? ›

Not Setting Properly: If your panna cotta doesn't set properly and remains too runny, it may be due to not using enough gelatin or not allowing it enough time to set. To fix this, you can try adding a bit more gelatin to the mixture or giving it more time to chill and set in the refrigerator.

Are cornstarch and corn flour the same? ›

Cornstarch is a 'starchy' gluten free flour, whereas corn flour is a 'protein' gluten free flour. Therefore, they carry out very different functions in gluten free baking. That means that you can't substitute cornstarch for corn flour, or vice versa.

What does Maja Blanca mean in Spanish? ›

Etymology and history. The dessert is the local Filipino adaptation of the Spanish dish manjar blanco (blancmange, literally "white delicacy"), but it has become distinct in that it uses very different ingredients, like coconut milk instead of milk or almond milk.

Are Maja Blanca and Tibok Tibok the same? ›

Tibok-tibok is Pampanga's regional version of maja blanca. But while the latter is made of coconut milk, corn, and cornstarch, this Kapampangan delicacy is made of fresh carabao's milk, rice flour, and latik topping. The milk pudding has a smooth, creamy flavor and texture with a delicious hint of coconut aroma.

How long does Maja Blanca last in the fridge? ›

Keep refrigerated until it's ready to serve. It should last for 3 to 4 days. Note that the texture of maja blanca will be firmer when it's cold and fresh out of the refrigerator. “Dechill” for 20 minutes at room temperature if you prefer a softer texture.

Why is it called Maja Blanca? ›

The name of the traditional holiday dessert is actually of Spanish origin. Initially pronounced as manjar blanco it means “white delicacy”. This sweet coconut pudding is a wonderful treat and is usually served during fiestas and holidays, especially Christmas.

Where did Maja Blanca originate in the Philippines? ›

During the time when Spain had a lot of influence on our foods and language, you find delicious dishes that came from this. Maja Blanca has a rich historical background having originated from Spain and was adapted from the traditional Spanish holiday referred to as manjar blanco, which actually means white delicacy.

How do you make a homemade thickening agent? ›

Use one tablespoon cornstarch mixed with one tablespoon cold water (aka a cornstarch slurry) for each cup of medium-thick sauce. Thoroughly mix the cornstarch and water together, then pour into your sauce. Cook and stir over medium heat until thickened and bubbly.

What thickens better than cornstarch? ›

Here are five of the best cornstarch substitutes for all your thickening needs.
  • All-Purpose Flour. Yep, that's right — all-purpose flour is a very stable thickener. ...
  • Arrowroot Powder. ...
  • Potato Starch. ...
  • Rice Flour. ...
  • Tapioca Starch.
Jun 23, 2023

How do you make a thick sauce without cornstarch or flour? ›

You can also simply reduce the sauce over heat to thicken it by evaporating some of its water. This will reduce the amount of sauce, as the name indicates, so you'll need to start with more sauce to compensate. You can use potato starch. Potato starch works just as well as cornstarch.

Is there anything else I can use instead of cornstarch? ›

You should substitute potato starch for cornstarch in a 1:1 ratio. This means if your recipe needs 1 tablespoon of cornstarch, swap that out for 1 tablespoon of potato starch. It's also worth noting that many cooks recommend adding root or tuber starches like potato or arrowroot later in the cooking process.

Does maja blanca need to be refrigerated? ›

Keep refrigerated until it's ready to serve. It should last for 3 to 4 days. Note that the texture of maja blanca will be firmer when it's cold and fresh out of the refrigerator. “Dechill” for 20 minutes at room temperature if you prefer a softer texture.

What is the other name for maja blanca? ›

Maja blanca (Tagalog: [ˈmaha ˈblaŋka]) is a Filipino dessert with a gelatin-like consistency made primarily from coconut milk. Also known as coconut pudding, it is usually served during fiestas and during the holidays, especially Christmas.

Where did maja blanca originate in the Philippines? ›

During the time when Spain had a lot of influence on our foods and language, you find delicious dishes that came from this. Maja Blanca has a rich historical background having originated from Spain and was adapted from the traditional Spanish holiday referred to as manjar blanco, which actually means white delicacy.

What are the benefits of maja blanca? ›

Consuming Maja Blanca on a regular basis may have potential health benefits. Maja fruit has been found to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant potential, which can help slow down the aging process. Additionally, Maja fruit extract has been shown to have strong antioxidant activity and can lower blood sugar levels.

References

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