Tamal De Maicena
Tamal De Maicena from Costa Rica.
Cook and rest are read from the method. Prep is estimated when the listing left it out. Optional overnight waits and leftover storage are not counted.
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 1 hr 20 min
- Rest
- None
- Total
- 1 hr 30 min
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Spice
- No chilli
- Cost
- Weeknight budget$8–16 USD · indicative, not a store price
About
Tamal De Maicena is listed as dessert from Costa Rica. The steps below follow the imported method, not an editorial rewrite. Times shown were read from those steps.
What you'll need
6 ingredients. Tap each one once it's out on the bench.
Ingredients
Scaling multiplies the written quantities. Baking still prefers a scale.
Steps
Step 1
Preheat the oven at 350F. In a non-stick medium pot, add the milk, butter, sugar, and vanilla; bring to a boil, and reduce heat to low. In a large bowl, add the eggs and the cornstarch and mix well. Slowly add 1 cup of the milk mixture, mixing constantly to temper the eggs. Keep adding more milk until the mixture is soft and has no lumps. Add the mixture to the pot SLOWLY and mix constantly using a wooden spoon. Keep cooking and mixing for a few more minutes until the mixture gets thick, you will know when it is ready when passing a spoon at the bottom of the pot creates a line that separates the mixture.
Step 2
Remove from heat and pour into the pyrex (no need to grease it ( I use an 11 by 8-inch pyrex). Cover with foil and cook for approximately 50 min. Remove the foil after 30 min of cooking to allow the top to get a light brown color. Let it cool completely before serving.
80 min
Nutrition
Per serving · estimate
- Calories
- 1251 kcal
- Protein
- 11.4 g
- Carbs
- 248.8 g
- Fat
- 23 g
- Saturated fat
- 13 g
- Fibre
- 1.1 g
- Sugar
- 140.4 g
- Sodium
- 148 mg
Calculated from canonical ingredient data (USDA FoodData Central averages and equivalent published tables). Estimates only.
Allergens
Informational only. Not a medical guarantee. Cross-contamination happens in real kitchens.
- Milk
- Eggs
- Vegetarian
- Gluten-free
- Nut-free
Adapt this recipe
The original recipe stays as it is. Personal versions are labelled. Serving changes are simple maths.
Adaptations · 0 / 15 used. Resets 12 November.
Substitutions
butter → olive-oil
Use a little less oil than butter. Pastry and laminated doughs are a different problem.
egg (silken tofu or skip (depends on the dish)) → silken tofu or skip (depends on the dish)
Carbonara without egg is not carbonara. Fried rice can skip the egg. We will not pretend otherwise.
Tips
- Times on this listing were inferred from the imported method, not kitchen-tested.
History & culture
Inspired by the original
Provenance: Imported. Not developed or tested in our kitchen, so quantities and timings can be approximate. Times on this listing were inferred from the imported method, not kitchen-tested.
Questions about this recipe
Answers taken from this dish's times, amounts, swaps and tips.
How long does Tamal De Maicena take?
1 hr 30 min all in — 10 min prep, 1 hr 20 min cook. Cook and rest follow the method. Leftover storage and optional extra waits are not included.
How many does it serve?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Scale the ingredient list on the page if you are cooking for a different number.
How hard is it?
Easy.
How spicy is it?
No chilli.
What allergens should I watch?
This recipe is labelled for Milk, Eggs. Labels are informational — check the packets in your kitchen. This is not medical advice.
Does it fit a diet?
The published recipe is labelled Vegetarian, Gluten-free, Nut-free.
7 more questionsFewer questions
What does it cost to cook?
Weeknight budget — about $8–16 USD, as a grocery budget for this recipe, not a restaurant price.
What equipment do I need?
Oven, Mixing bowl.
How much salt do I put in?
This recipe does not list a salt amount. We will not invent one.
How much sugar?
2½ cup of Sugar.
What can I use instead?
butter → olive-oil. Use a little less oil than butter. Pastry and laminated doughs are a different problem. egg (silken tofu or skip (depends on the dish)) → silken tofu or skip (depends on the dish). Carbonara without egg is not carbonara. Fried rice can skip the egg. We will not pretend otherwise.
Any tips from this recipe?
Times on this listing were inferred from the imported method, not kitchen-tested.
Can I use an air fryer?
This method is not written for an air fryer. The core technique on the page still applies.