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Easy Banana Pudding Parfaits

If you're looking for a classic dessert with a modern twist, look no further than this irresistible Banana Pudding Parfaits recipe. This dessert takes the classic Southern dessert of banana pudding and turns it into a beautifully layered and decadent treat that's perfect for any occasion.

Prep Time
15 mins
Total Time
15 mins
Servings: 6
Calories: 333 kcal
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

For the Pudding
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar plus 2 tablespoons
  • ¼ cup + 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 6 large egg yolks
  • 3-½ cups whole milk
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1 tablespoon clear vanilla , pure vanilla extract, banana liqueur, or rum
For the Sweetened Whipped Cream:
  • ½ cup heavy cream , cold
  • 2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar
  • ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
For Assembling
  • 3-4 large bananas , very ripe but not mushy, sliced
  • 1-½ boxes Nilla Cookies broken into ¼-inch pieces

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. In a medium saucepan, heat the milk over medium heat until it's almost simmering, stirring constantly. Remove from heat.
  2. In a separate medium heatproof bowl, whisk the cornstarch, salt, sugar, and eggs together until pale yellow, about 5 minutes. Pour about half of the hot milk mixture into the bowl with the egg mixture and whisk vigorously until smooth.
  3. Set a fine-mesh sieve over the saucepan with the milk. Pour the egg mixture back into the saucepan and cook over medium heat, whisking vigorously, until thick and starting to bubble, about 5-8 minutes. Once the mixture starts to bubble, turn the heat down to low and continue cooking, whisking constantly, for 1-2 minutes until the mixture thickens.
  4. Remove the pan from the heat and immediately whisk in the butter, vanilla extract, and clear vanilla. Transfer the mixture to a bowl and place a piece of plastic wrap directly over the pudding to prevent a film from forming. Chill in the refrigerator until cool, for a few hours.
  5. Once the pudding is cold, place the heavy cream, Confectioners' sugar, and vanilla extract in a medium mixing bowl. Using an electric mixer, whip on medium-low speed until soft peaks form. Whisk one-third of the whipped cream into the chilled pudding to loosen it, then using a rubber spatula, gently fold in the remaining whipped cream until incorporated.
  6. To assemble the parfaits, spoon a large dollop of the pudding mixture into the bottom of each parfait glass. Top with one layer of cookie pieces and one layer of sliced bananas. Repeat once and top with a final layer of pudding. Crumble some of the cookie pieces and sprinkle over the top. Refrigerate the parfaits until ready to serve, for at least 30 minutes to 1 hour. Before serving, garnish with extra Nilla wafer crumbles and sliced bananas, if desired.

Notes

  • How to Store
  • Cover the parfaits with plastic wrap or an airtight lid to prevent them from drying out and absorbing any unwanted flavors from the refrigerator. Store the parfaits in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
  • How to Make-Ahead
  • Banana Pudding Parfaits can be made ahead of time, which makes them a convenient dessert option for parties or gatherings. Here are some steps you can follow to make Banana Pudding Parfaits ahead of time:
  • Prepare the pudding mixture and refrigerate it until it's cool and set. This step can be done up to 2 days in advance.Make the sweetened whipped cream and refrigerate it separately in an airtight container until you're ready to assemble the parfaits. This step can also be done up to 1 day in advance.Slice the bananas and crumble the Nilla wafers just before assembling the parfaits. This step should be done just before serving to prevent the bananas from browning and the Nilla wafers from getting soggy.Assemble the parfaits just before serving, starting with a layer of pudding followed by a layer of sliced bananas and crumbled Nilla wafers, and then a layer of sweetened whipped cream. Repeat the layers until you reach the top of the glass or dish. You can also garnish the top with extra Nilla wafer crumbles or sliced bananas if desired.
  • By preparing the components of the parfait ahead of time, you can easily assemble the parfaits just before serving and have a delicious and impressive dessert ready in no time.
  • How to Freeze
  • Banana Pudding Parfaits are best enjoyed fresh and may not freeze well due to the ingredients used in the recipe. Freezing can affect the texture and flavor of the pudding and whipped cream and may cause the bananas and Nilla wafers to become mushy. Therefore, it's recommended to consume Banana Pudding Parfaits within a few days of making them for the best taste and texture.