The Best Banana Pudding Ever Recipe!

Sweet, creamy, and utterly irresistible, this best banana pudding ever recipe is a Southern classic that melts in your mouth.

Layers of velvety custard, ripe bananas, and crisp vanilla wafers create a dessert that feels like a warm hug.

The secret lies in the perfectly balanced ingredients and a touch of homemade love.

Each spoonful tells a story of comfort and nostalgia, bringing memories of summer gatherings and grandma’s kitchen.

Rich, decadent, and surprisingly simple to make, this dessert transforms ordinary ingredients into something extraordinary.

Dive into this crowd-pleasing treat that promises to become your new favorite dessert.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 35 minutes

Cook Time: 4 hours

Total Time: 4 hours 35 minutes

Calories: 430 kcal

Servings: 8

What Goes In Best Banana Pudding Ever

• Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps thicken the pudding, choose fine granulated sugar for smooth texture.
• Cornstarch: Creates silky pudding consistency, ensures perfect thickening without lumps.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness, use fine table salt.
• Milk: Provides creamy base, select whole milk for richer pudding.
• Egg Yolks: Adds richness and helps set pudding, use fresh room temperature eggs.
• Butter: Brings luxurious smoothness and depth, use unsalted butter for controlled sweetness.
• Vanilla Extract: Introduces warm, aromatic flavor, opt for pure vanilla for best taste.

• Vanilla Wafers: Creates delightful textural contrast, choose crisp, fresh cookies.
• Bananas: Brings natural sweetness and fruity essence, select ripe but firm bananas.

• Heavy Whipping Cream: Provides light, airy texture, use cold cream for best results.
• Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and stabilizes whipped cream, sift to prevent clumping.

Kitchen Tools For Best Banana Pudding Ever

• Medium saucepan: Essential for cooking the pudding smoothly and evenly.
• Whisk: Perfect for mixing ingredients without lumps and creating creamy consistency.
• Mixing bowls: Needed for separating eggs, tempering, and preparing different components.
• Chilled mixing bowl: Crucial for whipping cream to perfect stiff peaks.
• Electric mixer or hand whisk: Great for creating fluffy whipped cream.
• Large serving dish or trifle bowl: Ideal for layering and presenting the dessert.
• Knife: Useful for slicing bananas into even layers.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient quantities.

Quick Instructions For Best Banana Pudding Ever

• Pudding Magic

Create a silky smooth custard by blending sugar, cornstarch, and milk in a saucepan. Gently heat the mixture, stirring constantly until it transforms into a thick, bubbling concoction. Carefully mix egg yolks into the hot liquid, ensuring a velvety texture. Remove from heat and stir in butter and vanilla for an extra layer of richness.

• Layered Delight

Transform your serving dish into a stunning dessert canvas. Start with a smooth pudding base, then artfully arrange crisp vanilla wafers and fresh banana slices. Build multiple layers, alternating between creamy pudding, crunchy cookies, and sweet fruit. Each layer tells a delicious story of flavor and texture.

• Fluffy Cloud Topping

Whip heavy cream into a dreamy, billowy crown for your dessert. Blend in a touch of sweetness and vanilla until soft peaks form, creating a light and airy finishing touch that will make mouths water.

• Flavor Fusion

Cover your masterpiece and let it rest in the refrigerator. During this time, the wafers will soften, the flavors will mingle, and the pudding will develop a perfect, creamy consistency. Patience transforms good desserts into unforgettable experiences.

• Celebration

Bring out your chilled creation and serve with a flourish. Each spoonful promises a symphony of creamy pudding, sweet bananas, and crisp wafers that will delight taste buds and create lasting memories.

Tasty Changes For Best Banana Pudding Ever

• Pudding Perfection Secrets: Expert Tips and Delicious Twists
• Banana Ripeness Hack: Select extremely ripe bananas with dark brown spots for deeper, sweeter flavor that intensifies the pudding's richness.
• Wafer Texture Magic: For maximum softness, let pudding chill overnight so vanilla wafers absorb moisture and become deliciously cake-like.
• Make-Ahead Masterstroke: Prepare this dessert 24 hours in advance to develop deeper flavor profiles and ensure perfect layering.
• Dietary Flexibility: Swap traditional ingredients for health-conscious alternatives like gluten-free wafers, almond milk, or sugar substitutes to accommodate different dietary needs.
• Flavor Adventure: Experiment with adding a splash of bourbon, rum extract, or sprinkle of cinnamon to create unique taste variations that elevate the classic dessert.

Ways To Serve Best Banana Pudding Ever

• Cozy Family Dessert Night: Gather loved ones around this nostalgic banana pudding, perfect for creating sweet memories together.
• Southern Comfort Plating: Serve individual portions in cute mason jars or clear glasses to showcase beautiful layered texture and make each serving special.
• Elegant Brunch Addition: Prepare this dessert as a stunning finale for weekend brunches, impressing guests with its creamy, decadent presentation.
• Make-Ahead Party Treat: Assemble the pudding a day before your event, allowing flavors to intensify and saving precious time during party preparation.

Keeping Best Banana Pudding Ever Fresh

• Refrigerator Recovery: Store the banana pudding in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Keep the dessert covered to prevent absorbing other food odors and maintain its delightful texture.
• Quick Freezing Trick: Portion individual servings in sealed containers for a convenient grab-and-go treat. Freeze for up to 2 weeks, but note that the banana texture might slightly change upon thawing.
• Smart Ingredient Prep: Slice bananas just before assembling to prevent browning. Squeeze a bit of lemon juice on the banana slices to slow oxidation and keep them looking fresh and appetizing.
• Temperature Control: Always serve the pudding chilled for the best taste and texture. Remove from the refrigerator just before serving to maintain its creamy consistency and prevent separation of layers.

Silky Banana Pudding

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4.6 from 31 reviews

• Total Time: 4 hours 35 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Southern banana pudding combines creamy layers with vanilla wafers and fresh bananas. Sweet comfort dessert promises pure deliciousness you cannot resist.

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Ingredients

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• 5 ripe bananas, sliced
• 4 large egg yolks
• 3 cups (750 ml) whole milk
• 1 box (12 oz / 340 g) vanilla wafers
• 1 cup (240 ml) heavy whipping cream
• ¾ cup (150 g) granulated sugar
• ¼ cup (30 g) cornstarch
• 2 tbsps powdered sugar
• 2 tbsps unsalted butter
• 3 tsps vanilla extract
• ¼ tsp salt

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Instructions

1. Pudding Preparation: Whisk sugar, cornstarch, and salt in a saucepan. Gradually blend milk until smooth, then heat over medium, stirring consistently until mixture thickens and bubbles gently.
2. Egg Integration: Carefully temper egg yolks by gradually introducing hot milk mixture while whisking continuously. Return tempered yolks to saucepan, cooking for 2-3 minutes until achieving a rich custard consistency.
3. Flavor Enhancement: Remove from heat, incorporating butter and vanilla extract. Allow mixture to cool slightly, developing a velvety smooth texture.
4. Layering Technique: Construct the dessert in a serving dish by spreading a thin pudding base. Alternate layers of vanilla wafers and banana slices, thoroughly coating each stratum with pudding.
5. Cream Topping: Whip cream in a chilled bowl, blending powdered sugar and vanilla extract until forming stiff, cloud-like peaks.
6. Final Presentation: Elegantly cover the top layer with whipped cream. Crush remaining vanilla wafers and sprinkle decoratively for added texture and visual appeal.
7. Chilling and Serving: Refrigerate for a minimum of 4 hours, allowing flavors to meld and wafers to soften. Serve chilled, revealing a luscious, multi-layered dessert that promises a delightful culinary experience.

Notes

• Prevent Egg Scrambling: Temper egg yolks gradually by slowly introducing hot milk mixture while whisking continuously to maintain smooth, silky pudding texture.
• Control Pudding Consistency: Stir constantly over medium heat until mixture thickens and bubbles gently, ensuring perfect custard-like thickness without burning.
• Chill for Maximum Flavor: Refrigerate for at least 4 hours to allow wafers to soften and flavors to meld, creating a more harmonious dessert experience.
• Optimize Cream Whipping: Use a chilled bowl and utensils when whipping cream to achieve maximum volume and stiff, cloud-like peaks more efficiently.

• Prep Time: 35 minutes
• Cook Time: 4 hours
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Mixing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 430
• Sugar: 32 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 13 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 52 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 165 mg