Creamy Dreamy Homemade Banana Pudding
This creamy banana pudding recipe features layers of sweet vanilla custard, ripe bananas, and crunchy vanilla wafers, culminating in a delightful, classic dessert. Perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth or as a comforting treat.
Equipment
- large saucepan
- small bowl
- whisk
- fine-mesh sieve (optional)
- plastic wrap
- large trifle bowl or 9x13 inch baking dish
Ingredients
Custard
- 4-5 medium-sized, ripe but firm bananas
- 1 box (11-12 ounces) vanilla wafers
- 4 cups whole milk
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 4 large eggs, yolks separated from whites
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Optional Whipped Topping
- 1.5 cups heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
Instructions
Preparation
- Whisk together sugar, cornstarch, and salt in a large saucepan, then gradually whisk in the whole milk until smooth.
- Whisk egg yolks in a separate bowl, then slowly pour about 1 cup of the warm milk mixture into the egg yolks, whisking constantly.
- Pour the egg yolk mixture back into the saucepan and cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, until thickened and gently boiling (8-10 minutes).
- Remove from heat and stir in butter and vanilla extract until melted and incorporated; strain through a fine-mesh sieve for an extra smooth custard.
- Cover the custard directly with plastic wrap and let it cool on the counter for 30 minutes, then refrigerate for 1-2 hours until thoroughly chilled.
- Just before assembling, slice bananas into 1/4-inch thick rounds.
Assembly and Chilling
- Spread a thin layer of chilled custard in a trifle bowl or baking dish, then layer with vanilla wafers, sliced bananas, and one-third of the remaining custard.
- Repeat the layers until all ingredients are used, ending with a generous layer of custard on top.
- For the optional topping, whip heavy cream and powdered sugar in a cold bowl until stiff peaks form.
- Cover the pudding tightly and refrigerate for 4-6 hours or overnight; garnish with whipped cream and wafers or banana slices before serving.
Notes
For an authentic banana pudding, some prefer to let the bananas naturally discolor a bit, rather than tossing them in lemon juice to prevent browning. Ensure the custard is thoroughly chilled before assembling for the best texture and flavor. The longer the pudding chills, the more the flavors meld and the wafers soften to a cake-like consistency.