Banana Pudding From Scratch With Cream Cheese
When it comes to desserts, banana pudding is a classic that never goes out of style. From the creamy custard to the whipped cream topping and the sweet banana slices, this dessert is a crowd-pleaser. And when you make it from scratch with cream cheese, it takes on a whole new level of richness and flavor that will have everyone begging for the recipe. In this article, we'll show you how to make banana pudding from scratch with cream cheese, step by step.
Ingredients
Before getting started, here's what you'll need:
- 1 box vanilla wafers
- 4-5 ripe bananas, sliced
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 4 large egg yolks
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
Now that you have your ingredients ready, let's start making banana pudding from scratch with cream cheese:
Step 1: Preparing the vanilla wafer crust
Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F. Crush the vanilla wafers in a food processor or by placing them in a sealed plastic bag and pounding them with a rolling pin until they are finely crushed. Reserve about 1/4 cup of the crushed wafers for later. Mix the remaining crushed wafers with 1/4 cup of melted butter until well combined. Press the mixture into the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish, making sure it is evenly distributed. Bake for 10 minutes, then remove from the oven and let cool.
Step 2: Making the cream cheese custard
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with an electric mixer until it is smooth and creamy. Add in 1 cup of heavy cream and beat until well combined. In a separate bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup of granulated sugar, 1/2 cup of all-purpose flour, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Slowly add this dry mixture to the cream cheese mixture, mixing well after each addition. Next, add in 2 cups of whole milk, one cup at a time, stirring constantly. Once everything is well combined, transfer the mixture to a large saucepan.
Step 3: Cooking the custard
Place the saucepan over medium heat and cook the custard, stirring constantly, until it thickens and coats the back of a spoon. This should take about 10-15 minutes. Be careful not to let the mixture boil or it may curdle. Once the custard is thick and creamy, remove it from the heat and stir in 4 large egg yolks and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Mix everything together until the egg yolks are fully incorporated.
Step 4: Assembling the banana pudding
Now it's time to assemble the banana pudding. Begin by laying a layer of sliced bananas on top of the vanilla wafer crust, followed by a layer of the reserved crushed wafers. Pour half of the cream cheese custard over the top of the bananas and wafers. Repeat this process, ending with a layer of cream cheese custard on top. Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight.
Tips and Variations
To make your banana pudding from scratch with cream cheese even more delicious, here are a few tips and variations to consider:
- For a lighter version, substitute the heavy cream for half-and-half or whole milk.
- For added texture, sprinkle some chopped nuts or toasted coconut on top of the pudding before serving.
- Try experimenting with other flavors, such as adding a layer of chocolate pudding or using different types of cookies for the crust.
Conclusion
Banana pudding from scratch with cream cheese is a dessert that is sure to impress everyone at your next gathering. With its rich creamy custard and sweet banana slices, it's the perfect ending to any meal. Just follow these simple steps and you'll have a dessert that everyone will be talking about for weeks to come.
