Banana Pudding
Classic Southern banana pudding — layers of vanilla pudding, sliced bananas, and vanilla wafers, topped with whipped cream or meringue. Comfort dessert that's better the next day. The wafers soften into cake-like texture.
Prep Time
25 min
Cook Time
28 min
Servings
2
Calories
439 cal
🛠 Interactive Recipe Tools — Use them right here on this page
Smart Servings Scaler
- Banana1
- Milk½ cup
- Cream¼ cup
- Sugar¼ cup
- Eggs1
- Vanilla Extract½ tsp
- Cornstarch½
All quantities scaled automatically from 2 servings.
Ingredients
Makes 2 servings · Use the Servings Scaler above to adjust
- Banana1
- Milk0.5 cup
- Cream0.25 cup
- Sugar0.25 cup
- Eggs1
- Vanilla Extract0.5 tsp
- Cornstarch0.5
Instructions
- 1
Make the pudding: in a saucepan, whisk ½ cup sugar + 3 tablespoons cornstarch + ¼ teaspoon salt + 3 cups whole milk. Whisk in 4 egg yolks. Cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, until thickened (5-6 minutes). Off heat, stir in 2 tablespoons butter and 2 teaspoons vanilla. Strain. Cool slightly.
- 2
Slice 4-5 ripe bananas into ¼-inch rounds. Toss with 1 teaspoon lemon juice to prevent browning.
- 3
In a 9×13 dish (or trifle bowl), layer: 1 box (11 oz) of Nilla wafers in a single layer, sliced bananas covering the wafers, 1/3 of the pudding spread on top.
- 4
Repeat layers twice more (wafers, bananas, pudding). End with pudding on top.
- 5
Cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours, ideally overnight. The wafers soften into cake-like texture during this rest.
- 6
Top with whipped cream (whip 1.5 cups heavy cream with 2 tablespoons sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla to stiff peaks) just before serving. Garnish with extra crushed wafers and banana slices. Serve chilled.
Watch how to make Banana Pudding
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💡 Expert Tips
- 1.Rest 4+ hours. The wafers need time to soften into cake-like texture. Skipping = hard cookies in pudding.
- 2.Lemon on bananas. Prevents browning.
- 3.Nilla wafers are the classic. Don't substitute — other cookies don't work the same way.
- 4.Top with whipped cream before serving. Pre-topped pudding gets weepy.
🔬 Why It Works
Banana pudding is layered comfort dessert that transforms during chilling — the wafers absorb moisture from the pudding and bananas, softening into a cake-like layer. The combination of creamy pudding, sweet bananas, and tender cookie cake creates the signature texture. Whipped cream provides the airy finish.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use store-bought pudding?▾
Why do my bananas turn brown?▾
Meringue version?▾
How long does it keep?▾
4.1
326 home cooks rated this
Nutrition Facts
Per serving (recipe makes 2 servings)
* Percent Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Values are estimates.
Nutrition Facts
Per serving (recipe makes 2 servings)
* Percent Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Values are estimates.
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