The Best Banana Pudding Recipe From Scratch
There's nothing like a good banana pudding to satisfy your sweet tooth. This classic dessert has been a staple of Southern cuisine for generations, and for good reason. With its creamy, custardy filling and layers of sliced bananas and vanilla wafers, it's a dessert that appeals to just about everyone. And the best part? It's surprisingly easy to make from scratch.
Ingredients
Before we get to the recipe itself, here's what you'll need to make the best banana pudding from scratch:
- 2/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 4 cups whole milk
- 4 large egg yolks
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 4 ripe bananas, sliced
- 1 box (11 ounces) vanilla wafers
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
Instructions
Now that you have all your ingredients, it's time to get started.
- In a large saucepan, whisk together the sugar, cornstarch, and salt.
- Add the milk and egg yolks, whisking until well combined.
- Cook the mixture over medium heat, stirring constantly, until it thickens and begins to boil. This should take about 10 minutes.
- Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the butter and vanilla extract until the butter is melted and the mixture is smooth.
- Layer the sliced bananas and vanilla wafers in a deep 9x13 inch baking dish, then pour the custard mixture over the top.
- Cover the pudding with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours, or until completely set.
- In a large mixing bowl, whip the heavy cream and powdered sugar together until stiff peaks form.
- Serve the chilled banana pudding with a dollop of whipped cream on top.
Variations
While the classic recipe for banana pudding is hard to beat, there are a few variations you can try to switch things up:
- Chocolate Banana Pudding: Add 1/2 cup of cocoa powder to the custard mixture before cooking for a delicious chocolatey twist on the classic.
- Nilla Wafer Banana Pudding: Swap out the vanilla wafers for Nilla Wafers for a slightly different flavor.
- Banana Pudding with Meringue: Instead of whipped cream, top your banana pudding with a layer of meringue and bake in the oven until golden brown and crisp.
Conclusion
And there you have it, the best banana pudding recipe from scratch. While it may seem daunting at first, making your own banana pudding is surprisingly easy, and the results are truly delicious. Whether you stick with the classic recipe, or try out one of the variations, this is a dessert that's sure to please the whole family.