Description
Southern-style banana pudding combines creamy layers of vanilla custard, ripe bananas, and crisp vanilla wafers. Homemade comfort dessert delights with rich flavors you’ll savor down to the last sweet spoonful.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4–5 ripe bananas, sliced
- 3 cups (750 ml) whole milk
- 1 box (12 oz / 340 g) vanilla wafers
- ¾ cup (150 g) granulated sugar
- ¼ cup (30 g) cornstarch
- 4 large egg yolks
- 2 tbsps unsalted butter
- ¼ tsp salt
- 2 tsps vanilla extract
- 1 cup (240 ml) heavy whipping cream
- 2 tbsps powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Pudding Preparation: Whisk pudding mix, chilled dairy, and sweetened condensed milk until smooth and silky. Let the mixture rest to thicken and develop a creamy consistency.
- Layering Foundation: In a clear serving dish, create the first layer with crisp vanilla wafers, establishing a crunchy base for the dessert.
- Banana Distribution: Slice ripe bananas into uniform rounds, positioning them evenly over the wafer layer to ensure consistent fruity flavor throughout the pudding.
- Pudding Coating: Pour the prepared pudding mixture over the banana layer, completely covering the fruit and filling all available spaces with creamy goodness.
- Strategic Layering: Continue building layers of wafers, banana slices, and pudding, alternating methodically until all ingredients are incorporated. Finish with a final pudding surface for a smooth top.
- Topping Finesse: Spread a generous layer of whipped topping across the surface, creating a light, airy crown for the dessert.
- Decorative Finish: Crush additional vanilla wafers and delicately sprinkle the crumbs over the top, adding textural complexity and visual interest.
- Flavor Melding: Refrigerate the pudding for a minimum of four hours, preferably overnight, allowing the flavors to blend and intensify for an ultimate taste experience.
Notes
- Banana Ripeness Check: Choose bananas with golden-yellow skin and minimal brown spots for optimal sweetness and texture without mushiness.
- Prevent Browning Trick: Toss banana slices in a touch of lemon juice to prevent discoloration and maintain fresh appearance during layering.
- Pudding Consistency Control: Whisk pudding mixture thoroughly to eliminate lumps and achieve a smooth, creamy base that sets perfectly.
- Chilling Optimization: Allow dessert to rest in refrigerator for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight, to develop rich, harmonious flavors and allow layers to meld together.
- Prep Time: 35 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 11
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 50 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg