Greek Vanilla Corn Starch Pudding Recipe (Krema Vanilia)

Written by
Nancy Gaifyllia
A resident of Greece, Nancy Gaifyllia is a cook who writes about the country's regional specialties.
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Nancy Gaifyllia
Updated 09/05/19
Vanilla bean with flower and sugar
Eisenhut and Mayer Wien / Getty Images
  • Total: 16 mins
  • Prep: 1 mins
  • Cook: 15 mins
  • Yield: 1 to 4 servings
Nutritional Guidelines (per serving)
199 Calories
5g Fat
34g Carbs
5g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 1 to 4 servings
Amount per serving
Calories 199
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 5g 6%
Saturated Fat 3g 14%
Cholesterol 15mg 5%
Sodium 67mg 3%
Total Carbohydrate 34g 12%
Dietary Fiber 0g 0%
Protein 5g
Calcium 173mg 13%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

This vanilla pudding (krema vanilia—in Greek: κρέμα βανίλια, pronounced: KREH-mah vah-NEEL-yah) is a standard in Greek homes. Suitable for babies, cornstarch puddings are also favorites with children of all ages and, with the addition of fruit, can be adapted to many uses from breakfast to snack to dessert.

Ingredients

Steps to Make It

  1. Place 1 to 4 dessert bowls in the refrigerator to chill.

  2. Warm one cup of milk (lukewarm), add sugar and cornstarch and stir to dissolve.

  3. In a saucepan over medium heat, combine remaining milk, vanilla extract, orange peel, and whisk to combine. As soon as steam begins to rise, add the milk/sugar/cornstarch mixture, continuing to whisk continuously.

  4. When it starts to thicken, remove from heat.

  5. Spoon into chilled bowls, allow to cool, and serve, or place in refrigerator and chill until ready to serve.

Serving suggestions: This is a very versatile basic pudding. Add pureed fruit immediately upon removing from heat to create a fruit pudding. It can be mixed with cereals, or topped with fruit and whipped cream for a fancier look, and your own creativity will result in even more variations.