Go Back
Old-Fashioned New England Grape-Nuts Pudding Recipe

Old-Fashioned New England Grape-Nuts Pudding

A classic New England baked custard made with whole milk, eggs, sugar, vanilla, nutmeg, and softened Grape-Nuts cereal. It is gently baked in a water bath for a creamy, tender pudding with a pleasant cereal texture.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 minute
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 2 cups Whole milk
  • 1/2 cup Grape-Nuts cereal
  • 1/4 cup Granulated sugar
  • 2 Large eggs, lightly beaten
  • 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon Salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon Ground nutmeg, plus more for topping
For the Dish
  • As needed Butter for greasing

Method
 

Step-by-Step
  1. Heat the oven to 350°F and butter a 1-quart baking dish or small casserole.
  2. Pour the milk over the Grape-Nuts cereal and let it stand for about 10 minutes so the cereal softens.
  3. Whisk the eggs, sugar, salt, vanilla extract, and nutmeg together in a bowl.
  4. Warm the milk-and-cereal mixture gently, then slowly stir it into the egg mixture so the ingredients combine smoothly.
  5. Pour the custard into the prepared baking dish and sprinkle the top with a little additional nutmeg.
  6. Set the baking dish inside a larger roasting pan. Pour hot water into the outer pan until it reaches about halfway up the sides of the pudding dish.
  7. Bake for 45-55 minutes, until the center is just set but still slightly soft and a knife inserted near the center comes out mostly clean.
  8. Carefully remove the pudding from the water bath and let it cool for 10-15 minutes. Serve warm or chill it before serving.

Notes

Do not overbake; the custard continues to firm as it cools. Whole milk gives the richest traditional result. Serve plain, with whipped cream, or with a little maple syrup.