Grandma’s Famous Banana Pudding Recipe: Childhood in a Bowl

Creamy, dreamy desserts never fail to bring smiles, and this classic banana pudding recipe promises pure southern comfort.

Rich layers of vanilla custard and banana pudding create a nostalgic treat that melts in your mouth.

The silky smooth texture combines ripe bananas with delicate vanilla wafers for an irresistible combination.

Soft, pillowy pudding blankets each layer with sweet, velvety goodness.

Homemade custard elevates this dessert from ordinary to extraordinary, making every spoonful a delightful experience.

Each carefully crafted layer tells a story of tradition and love.

This dessert will become your new favorite crowd-pleasing sweet that everyone will request at gatherings.

What Makes This Banana Pudding Stand Out

• Prepare a delightful treat that comes together quickly and always receives rave reviews from family and friends.
• Ideal for potlucks, family gatherings, and casual dinner parties, this dessert works magic as a crowd-pleasing finale to any meal.
• Uses simple, readily available ingredients you likely already have in your kitchen, eliminating the need for special shopping trips.

Ingredients for Perfect Banana Pudding

Main Ingredients:

Milk: A rich and creamy base that provides the foundational liquid for the smooth banana pudding.

Egg Yolks: These add richness, color, and help thicken the pudding with their natural binding properties.

Sugar: A sweet ingredient that balances the flavors and provides the perfect level of sweetness to the pudding.

Vanilla Extract: Adds a warm, classic flavor that enhances the overall taste of the dessert.

• Cornstarch: A crucial ingredient that helps create the thick, creamy texture of the pudding.

• Butter: Adds a rich, smooth finish to the pudding and provides a luxurious mouthfeel.

Steps to Make Creamy Banana Pudding

Step 1: Prepare Dish

Select a rectangular or square baking dish about 2 inches deep.

Choose a container that allows for multiple layers of delicious ingredients.

Step 2: Create Creamy Egg Base

In a medium mixing bowl, combine egg yolks, cornstarch, sugar, and a portion of milk.

Whisk ingredients until they form a smooth, consistent mixture without lumps.

Step 3: Warm Milk Gently

Pour remaining milk into a saucepan and heat over medium temperature.

Watch for small bubbles forming around the edges, which indicates the milk is ready.

Step 4: Blend Egg Mixture Carefully

Slowly incorporate hot milk into egg mixture by gradually adding small amounts while continuously whisking.

This technique prevents egg from scrambling and ensures a silky texture.

Step 5: Cook Pudding Mixture

Transfer blended mixture back into saucepan and add vanilla extract.

Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly for 3-4 minutes until pudding thickens.

Check consistency by coating the back of a spoon – the mixture should hold a clear line when touched.

Step 6: Finish With Butter

Remove pudding from heat and whisk in butter until completely melted and integrated.

Allow mixture to cool slightly before assembling final dessert.

Step 7: Layer Delicious Components

• Vanilla wafer cookies
• Sliced bananas
• Prepared pudding

Arrange ingredients in alternating layers, creating a visually appealing and delectable dessert.

Chill in refrigerator for best flavor and texture.

Step 8: Chill and Serve

Refrigerate banana pudding for at least 2 hours before serving.

Garnish with additional cookie crumbs or whipped cream if desired.

Tips for the Best Banana Layers

• Toss sliced bananas with a bit of lemon juice to keep them fresh and prevent quick discoloration.
• Pour hot milk slowly and whisk vigorously to prevent egg scrambling, ensuring a silky smooth pudding texture.
• Select bananas with some brown spots for maximum sweetness and deeper flavor profile.
• Alternate pudding, cookies, and banana slices in even layers to guarantee perfect bite every time.
• Let pudding cool slightly before refrigerating to avoid condensation and maintain creamy consistency.

How to Chill and Keep Banana Pudding

• Store banana pudding in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Cover the surface with plastic wrap directly touching the pudding to prevent skin formation.
• Transfer pudding to a freezer-safe container, leaving some space for expansion. Freeze for up to 2 weeks. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
• Warm individual portions in the microwave using 15-second intervals, stirring between each interval to distribute heat evenly. Add a splash of milk if the pudding seems too thick.
• When serving leftovers, refresh the dish by adding fresh banana slices and crumbled cookies on top to restore texture and flavor.

Great Matches for Banana Pudding

• Delectable Drink Pairing: Brew a classic cold brew coffee to complement the sweet banana pudding, cutting through its richness with smooth, bold caffeine notes.
• Sweet Wine Companion: Select a late harvest Riesling with its honeyed undertones and light sweetness that will dance perfectly alongside the creamy pudding dessert.
• Creamy Milk Match: Pour a chilled glass of whole milk to enhance the pudding's smooth texture, creating a nostalgic and comforting flavor combination that feels like a childhood treat.
• Unexpected Flavor Boost: Mix a quick bourbon old fashioned cocktail with its caramel and vanilla hints that will beautifully echo the pudding's rich, creamy profile while adding a sophisticated adult twist.

Easy Twists on Banana Pudding

• Dairy-Free Delight: Replace milk with coconut milk or almond milk for a creamy, lactose-free version. Use vegan butter or coconut oil instead of regular butter to maintain richness.
• Gluten-Free Option: Swap traditional vanilla wafers with gluten-free cookies or use crushed gluten-free graham crackers. Ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free.
• Low-Sugar Banana Pudding: Substitute sugar with monk fruit sweetener or stevia. Use sugar-free vanilla wafers and reduce overall sugar content while maintaining delicious flavor.
• Chocolate Banana Fusion: Add cocoa powder to the pudding mixture for a chocolate twist. Sprinkle dark chocolate shavings between layers to enhance the decadent chocolate-banana combination.

FAQs

• Can I use instant pudding mix instead of making pudding from scratch?

No, homemade pudding provides a richer, creamier texture and fresher taste that instant mixes can’t match. The process is simple and worth the extra effort.

• Is it safe to use raw egg yolks in this recipe?

The egg yolks are cooked thoroughly during the tempering and cooking process, which heats them to a safe temperature, eliminating any risk of foodborne illness.

• What's the purpose of cornstarch in the pudding?

Cornstarch acts as a thickening agent, helping the pudding achieve its smooth, creamy consistency by binding the ingredients and preventing separation.

• How can I tell if I've cooked the pudding long enough?

When the pudding coats the back of a spoon and a line drawn with your finger remains visible for a few seconds, it’s reached the perfect consistency.

Perfect Banana Pudding Recipe

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4.6 from 25 reviews

• Total Time: 3 hours 30 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Creamy Southern banana pudding delights taste buds with layers of velvety custard, ripe bananas, and crisp vanilla wafers. Comfort meets elegance in this classic dessert that brings sweet memories to life for anyone craving a delicious slice of home.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 5 medium to large bananas
• 1 box (11 ounces / 312 grams) of vanilla cookies, such as Nilla Wafers

Pudding Base Ingredients:

• 4 large egg yolks
• 3/4 cup (150 grams) of sugar
• 2 tablespoons (16 grams) of cornstarch
• 3 cups (709 milliliters / 24 fluid ounces) of whole milk, divided
• 1 1/2 teaspoons of vanilla extract

Finishing Ingredients:

• 4 tablespoons (56 grams / 2 ounces) of salted butter
• Fresh whipped cream, optional for serving

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Instructions

1. Select a spacious rectangular or square baking vessel approximately 2 inches deep, ensuring adequate room for layering components.
2. Create a silky custard base by thoroughly blending egg yolks, cornstarch, granulated sweetener, and a portion of milk until uniformly combined.
3. Gently heat remaining milk in a saucepan over medium temperature, watching for subtle bubbling around edges, then immediately remove from heat source.
4. Execute careful egg tempering technique by gradually introducing hot milk into egg mixture, whisking continuously to prevent potential protein curdling.
5. Return tempered liquid to saucepan, incorporating vanilla extract, and maintain medium heat while stirring persistently for 3-4 minutes until mixture reaches thick, glossy consistency that coats utensil smoothly.
6. Eliminate saucepan from thermal source and integrate softened butter, stirring until completely dissolved and creating luxurious, velvety texture.
7. Allow custard to cool slightly, preventing potential separation, while preparing additional recipe components for subsequent layering.
8. Strategically arrange vanilla wafers and sliced banana segments to create alternating delectable strata within prepared baking dish.
9. Carefully pour warm custard over arranged layers, ensuring even distribution and complete coverage of ingredients.
10. Refrigerate assembled dessert for minimum 2-3 hours, permitting thorough chilling and allowing flavors to harmonize and pudding to set completely.

Notes

• Achieve silky smoothness by whisking constantly during cooking to prevent lumps and ensure a velvety texture.
• Opt for ripe, soft bananas with brown speckles for maximum sweetness and easier mashing, enhancing the pudding’s overall flavor profile.
• Create a gluten-free version by using gluten-free vanilla wafers or graham crackers instead of traditional cookies.
• Cool the pudding at room temperature before refrigerating to prevent condensation and maintain a creamy consistency.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 3 hours
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 300
• Sugar: 20 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 43 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 120 mg