Golden Corral Sweet Corn Pudding Recipe

Introduction

Corn pudding makes me feel like home, you know? That rich, just a bit dul, creamy casserole, appearing at family suppers and at potlatch and vanishing before you can take a breath. 

The Golden Corral Sweet Corn Pudding Recipe preserves all that home-cooked, buttery goodness, bright, soft, and custardy, and you get a corn kernel or two in your mouth, and you realize you have stumbled upon that bit of heaven.

I also recall the initial time when I ate it at Golden Corral– it was not what I had taken me there to eat! However, a single spoonful and I was absolutely in love. 

I needed to find a way to recreate that reassuring, a little nostalgic taste in my own kitchen. And following a couple of experiments, adjustments, and taste-tests (the best!), this homemade one hits the nail on the head.

In case you are fond of buttery casseroles that satisfy the border between savory and sweet, this one is going to become your new side dish. Let’s dig in.

What is Golden Corral Sweet Corn Pudding?

Sweet corn pudding is a baked side that is a marriage of cornbread and a custard. It is prepared using creamed corn, whole kernels, eggs, milk, and butter, all whisked in till the batter is smooth, pourable, and velvety in nature, and then baked to a tender, golden, and slightly jiggly pudding.

The Golden Corral Sweet Corn Pudding Recipe is credited with being particularly smooth and creamy. It is not dry like the cornbread of olden days, but is spoonable and buttery and lightly sweet, and the taste of corn pervades each bite. 

It is a typical Southern comfort meal that is something that is served with anything, such as roast turkey and ham, all the way up to fried chicken or barbecue ribs.

It is the type of side dish that is somewhat modest yet very special at the same time —the one that transforms ordinary dishes into unforgettable meals.

The Narrative of my finding of this.

I fell into this meal during a family outing when we visited Golden Corral on a day spent riding on the highway. I had a craving, could not have eaten without, a craving for mashed potatoes, and something buttery, and there it was, this yellow, shiny pan of what seemed to be cornbread, only smoother. I took one scoop. Then two. Then went back for more.

It had that correct sweet-savory ratio that used to make me think of holidays and of the kitchen of grandma, and of Sunday dinners when everybody lingered at the table too long. I was not able to forget about it when I reached home. So, of course, I unfolded my sleeves and went to work on recreating it. 

With a couple of modifications, this Golden Corral Sweet Corn Pudding Recipe has taken its place on my dinner table, and it is now time it takes its place in yours as well.

Equipment List

The ingredients to prepare this comforting classic are not that many, as you only need your usual utensils at home:

• Medium and large mixing bowls
• Whisk
• Wooden or rubber spatula or wooden spoon.
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Baking dish 8×8 or 9×9 inch (or any size)
• Oven
• Greasing agent (non-stick spray or butter)
• Optional: a hand mixer would be, of course, nice, though a whisk would do quite fine as well.

Ingredients

The following are the items you will require to prepare this Golden Corral Sweet Corn Pudding Recipe using its own components:

• 1 can (15 oz) creamed corn
• 1 can (15 oz) whole kernel corn, drained
• 1 cup sour cream
• 2 large eggs
• ½ cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
• 1 box (8.5 oz) Jiffy corn muffin mix
• ¼ cup granulated sugar (optional, for extra sweetness)
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ cup milk (whole milk gives it that rich texture)
• Top finishing. You may also sprinkle with a dash of nutmeg or a sprinkling of paprika before baking.

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven

Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). Butter or spray grease your baking dish.

2. Mix the wet ingredients

Whisk the sour cream, milk, and eggs in a large bowl until the mixture is smooth. Melt the butter and stir once more.

3. Add the corn

Add the creamed corn, as well as the whole kernel corn, drained. Ensure that they are well mixed throughout the mixture.

4. Incorporate the dry mix

Add the Jiffy corn muffin mix, sugar, salt, and pepper. With a spatula, gently mix it all up — do not overmix! The batter ought to appear somewhat lumpy and sloppy.

5. Pour and smooth

Pour into your prepared baking dish and spread the mixture evenly.

6. Bake to perfection

Bake 45-55 minutes, until edges are golden brown and center is set but not too hard. You may try it by making a knife thrust in it; it will come out pretty clean, but somewhat custardy.

7. Cool and serve

Allow to stand aside for 10 minutes before service. This allows the pudding time to come to that ideal spoonable consistency.

Texture and Flavor Notes

Nobody makes it the same: when baked properly, the Golden Corral Sweet Corn Pudding Recipe has a mouthfeel that cannot be compared with anything else: soft cornbread mixed with creamy custard. 

Every bite is punctuated by a small pinch of corn kernels, that thick buttery texture, and that slight touch of sweetness that is so delicious with savory main foods.

The outer edges become a little golden and hard, and the middle remains juicy and soft. It is the type of side that does not merely go well with your food; it takes the front seat.

Serving Suggestions

This corn pudding is so flexible that it can be used all year round. Here’s how I love to serve it:

• Thanksgiving dinners or Christmas dinners – and turkey or ham, or roast beef.
• Southern-style barbecue – pulled pork, ribs, or fried chicken.
• Friday or Thursday dinner, when you are in a hurry, is next to grilled fish or baked chicken thighs.
• Potlucks or buffets – it freezes and warms like a miracle on a serving table.

To add a little more spice, drizzle with honey butter or sprinkle with bacon pieces before serving. Believe me, everyone will demand the recipe.

Tips for Perfect Corn Pudding

• Use both types of corn. The creamed corn is creamy, and whole kernels are bitey.
• Don’t overmix. It is fine when the batter is slightly lumpy-looking, which is what makes it have its typical texture.
• Let it rest. This is where the difference lies. The pudding is solidified by cooling down a little.
• Add sweetness carefully. Add a smaller amount of sugar, taste, and add more to your preference.
• Double the batch! This dish is eaten quickly – you will not regret it afterward.

Storage and Reheating

In case you have some left (that is not common!), wrap them and refrigerate for a maximum of 3 days. Anytime one wants to reheat it, wrap it in foil and reheat it in the oven at 325°F. Individual servings can also be microwaved, but they retain their texture better in the oven.

You can even freeze it! Simply allow it to cool and then wrap it tightly and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw by heat of 350 degrees F.

Why This Recipe Works

The Trick to this Golden Corral Sweet Corn Pudding Recipe is its balance. This is made rich with the combination of sour cream, butter, and milk, and fluffy with the use of Jiffy mix. The creamed corn adds sweetness and creaminess and therefore feels decadent without being dense.

Each ingredient is there to play a part – there is not a wasted one, and the balance of sweet and savory will make this dish a universal success. It is a type of recipe, which is fancy enough to make you feel like a holiday and yet, simple enough to be prepared on a Tuesday night dinner.

Variations You Can Try

Want to put your own spin on this Golden Corral Sweet Corn Pudding Recipe? Here are some fun twists:

Cheesy Corn Pudding: Add 1 cup cheddar (or pepper jack) when baking.

Savory Twist: Omit sugar and replace with 1/2 cup chopped jalap or scallions.

Hotter Version: Add 1 spoon of chopped green chilies or a pinch of cayenne.

Sweet Upgrade: Add a tablespoon of honey and sprinkle with a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar on top of corn pudding for dessert.

Final Thoughts

All of these bites of this Golden Corral Sweet Corn Pudding Recipe seem like a hug, a warm, buttery, comfortable one. You can have it ready on a special occasion, or you are just in need of something warm; either way, it will assure you of guests at the table.

Something old-fashioned about this meal deserves attention — very few ingredients, a touch of affection, and the result that tastes like home. Now that you always feel like preparing a meal that is special, put the store-bought sides behind your back and bake this golden brown prize.

When you do, you will see why this has been such a time-tested recipe, not only at Golden Corral, but at home kitchens everywhere.

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