Southern Living Old Fashioned Banana Pudding Recipe
Banana pudding is a classic dessert that has been enjoyed by generations of Americans. It's a creamy and delicious treat that's perfect for any occasion. However, there is one recipe that stands above the rest - the Southern Living Old Fashioned Banana Pudding Recipe. This recipe has been passed down for generations, and it's easy to see why. The combination of fluffy homemade pudding, ripe bananas, and crispy vanilla wafers make for a heavenly dessert that will have your taste buds singing.
Ingredients
Before you get started making the best banana pudding you've ever tasted, you'll need to gather your ingredients. Here's what you'll need:
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3 cups whole milk
- 4 large eggs (separated)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 (12-ounce) box vanilla wafers
- 6 ripe bananas, sliced
- 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
- 2 tablespoons sugar
Instructions
Now that you have your ingredients, it's time to get started. Follow these simple instructions to make the perfect Southern Living Old Fashioned Banana Pudding:
- In a large saucepan, combine sugar, flour, and salt. Gradually add in the milk, stirring constantly.
- Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly with a whisk, until the mixture thickens and boils (about 8-10 minutes).
- Lower the heat to low and cook for an additional 2 minutes, stirring constantly.
- In a small bowl, beat the egg yolks. Gradually stir in 1 cup of the hot mixture into the egg yolks.
- Pour the egg yolk mixture back into the pan with the rest of the pudding, whisking constantly.
- Bring the mixture to a boil on medium heat, stirring constantly.
- Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract.
- Place a layer of vanilla wafers in the bottom of a 13x9x2-inch baking dish.
- Top with a layer of sliced bananas.
- Pour about one-third of the pudding mixture over the bananas.
- Repeat the layers of wafers, bananas, and pudding until all used up. Make sure to end with a layer of pudding on top.
- In a mixing bowl, beat egg whites and cream of tartar at high speed until foamy.
- Gradually add sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating until stiff peaks form and sugar dissolves (about 2-4 minutes).
- Spoon the meringue over the hot pudding, making sure to seal the edges of the pudding.
- Bake at 350° for 12 to 15 minutes or until the meringue is golden brown.
- Cool for at least an hour before serving.
Tips and Tricks
If you want to take your banana pudding to the next level, here are a few tips and tricks to keep in mind:
- Make sure your bananas are ripe but not overly ripe. You want them to be sweet and flavorful but not mushy.
- Don't overcook the pudding. Stir constantly and remove from heat as soon as it thickens.
- If you're not a fan of meringue, you can skip it and just top the pudding with whipped cream instead.
- If you're short on time, you can use store-bought pudding and whipped cream instead of making everything from scratch.
- You can also add a splash of bourbon to the pudding mixture for an extra kick.
Conclusion
The Southern Living Old Fashioned Banana Pudding Recipe is a classic dessert that has stood the test of time. With its creamy homemade pudding, ripe bananas, and crispy vanilla wafers, it's the perfect dessert for any occasion. Whether you're hosting a dinner party or just looking for a sweet treat, this banana pudding recipe is sure to impress. So go ahead and give it a try - your taste buds will thank you!