The Best Homemade Banana Pudding Recipe
User Reviews
5
The Best Homemade Banana Pudding Recipe
Description
This banana pudding recipe begins by preparing a custard from egg yolks, sugar, flour, milk, and salt, cooked gently over low heat while stirring until very thick. Once removed from heat, vanilla extract is incorporated, and the custard is cooled completely in the refrigerator. It is then combined carefully with homemade whipped cream to create a lighter, silkier texture. The dessert is assembled in layers: a third of the whipped custard is spread, followed by vanilla wafers and thinly sliced ripe bananas, repeated twice to build a multi-layered pudding. A final touch includes whipped egg whites beaten with sugar, often used as a topping or meringue element.
The pudding’s flavor is a blend of creamy custard and aromatic vanilla with the natural sweetness and softness of bananas. Texturally, it contrasts creamy smoothness with crisp wafers and fresh banana slices. The pudding is best served chilled to allow the layers to meld and the wafers to soften slightly but still retain some texture.
Make-ahead options allow preparing the dessert up to one day in advance, with refrigeration necessary to maintain freshness. Storage recommendations advise keeping it covered in the refrigerator for up to four days. The pudding doesn’t freeze well, as the custard can break when thawed. When a kitchen torch is not available for browning meringue toppings, a quick bake in a 400°F oven for 7 to 10 minutes works well. Ready-made whipped toppings like Cool Whip may substitute homemade whipped cream in a pinch. Selecting just-ripe bananas ensures optimal flavor and texture in the pudding.
Ingredients
- 6 egg yolks, and whites separated
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 4 cups milk whole
- pinch of sea salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 whipped cream recipe
- 1 vanilla wafers box
- 4 banana peeled, thinly sliced, large
Instructions
- Add 6 whisked egg yolks, ¾ cup of sugar, flour, milk, and salt to a medium-size saucepot and cook over low heat for about 12-15 minutes while constantly stirring until it becomes very thick.
- Remove the custard from the stove and stir in the vanilla. Cool completely in the refrigerator, which takes about 45 minutes.
- Once it’s cool slowly add the custard into a stand mixer with the whipped cream recipe and mix on low speed with the whisk attachment until completely combined.
- Evenly spread 1/3 of the whipped cream custard to the bottom of a deep 13x9 casserole pan and then layer on the wafers and bananas followed up by adding on another 1/3 of the whipped cream custard.
- Repeat the process 1 more time until all of the ingredients have been used. Set aside.
- In a stand mixer with the whisk attachment whisk the eggs on medium speed until soft peaks have formed, which takes about 3 to 4 minutes.
- Turn the speed up to high and slowly sprinkle in ¼ cup of sugar until mixed in. Continue to whisk until medium-stiff peaks have formed to make a meringue.
- Spread the meringue over the top of the banana pudding evenly and then using a torch brown the top of the meringue.
Notes
- This pudding can be made a day in advance; cover and refrigerate until serving.
- Store leftovers refrigerated for up to 4 days; do not freeze to avoid texture breakdown.
- Browning the meringue topping can be done with a kitchen torch or by baking at 400°F for 7-10 minutes.
- Ready-made whipped toppings may replace homemade whipped cream if needed.
- Use ripe but firm bananas for the best flavor and texture in the dessert.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 12Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 197 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 197kcal | 10% |
| Carbohydrates | 33g | 11% |
| Protein | 6g | 12% |
| Fat | 5g | 8% |
| Saturated Fat | 2g | 10% |
| Cholesterol | 90mg | 30% |
| Sodium | 69mg | 3% |
| Potassium | 282mg | 6% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 26g | 52% |
| Vitamin A | 276IU | 6% |
| Vitamin C | 3mg | 3% |
| Calcium | 106mg | 11% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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