Recipe: Roasted Blueberry Vanilla Pudding

We have many friends who live on the same street, so we tend to have impromptu dinner parties. As I get older, I’m more inclined toward fuss-free desserts. This one is perfect for summer. It’s a pudding instead of a custard, which means no messing with yolks. It’s delicately flavored with vanilla bean, and you can roast almost any fruit to pair with it. It comes together quickly and tastes delicious.

Roasted Blueberry Vanilla Pudding
Adapted from a Smitten Kitchen recipe
4 servings

½ cup plus 3 Tbsp. sugar, divided
3 Tbsp. cornstarch
Pinch of kosher salt
2⅔ cups whole milk, divided
1 egg
1 vanilla bean, scraped or 2 tsp. vanilla extract
2 cups blueberries or blackberries
3 teaspoons granulated sugar
Juice of a quarter of a lemon

• In a separate bowl, whisk together ½ cup sugar, the cornstarch and salt together. Slowly whisk in ⅔ cup milk to avoid lumps, then whisk in the egg. Set aside.

• In a saucepan over medium heat, bring the remaining 2 cups milk to just below a boil in a saucepan. Add the vanilla bean (do not add vanilla extract, if using).

• Pour the hot milk from the saucepan into the cornstarch mixture, whisking the whole time.

• Return the entire mixture to the saucepan over medium-low heat and stir constantly with a wooden spoon or silicone spatula until it simmers and begins to thicken. Stir in the vanilla extract, if using.

• Divide the pudding evenly between 4 large ramekins or serving dishes and press a piece of plastic wrap against the surface of the puddings to prevent a film. Refrigerate 2 hours, until completely chilled and set. 

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees.

• Toss the blueberries with the remaining 3 tablespoons sugar and place in a shallow roasting pan.

• Roast 12 to 15 minutes, shaking the pan once or twice during cooking.

• Sprinkle the lemon juice over the berries immediately after removing from the oven. 

• To serve, top each serving with a generous dollop of roasted berries and juice.

Amrita Song is a longtime contributor to Sauce Magazine who blogs at A Song In Motion.