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OLD-FASHIONED BANANA PUDDING RECIPE

OLD-FASHIONED BANANA PUDDING RECIPE

This old-fashioned banana pudding is made from scratch with creamy custard, ripe bananas, and vanilla wafers for a classic Southern dessert everyone craves.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Chill Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 35 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 8
Calories 370 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 3 cups whole milk
  • ¾ cup sugar
  • 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 4 eggs separated
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 5 to 6 ripe bananas sliced
  • 1 box vanilla wafers
  • ¼ teaspoon cream of tartar optional, for meringue
  • ¼ cup sugar for meringue

Instructions
 

  • In a saucepan, whisk sugar, flour, and salt. Slowly add milk, whisking constantly until smooth.
  • Cook over medium heat, whisking, until it thickens — 8 to 10 minutes.
  • Temper egg yolks by whisking a little hot mixture into them, then return yolks to the pan. Cook 2 to 3 minutes more.
  • Remove from heat; stir in butter and vanilla.
  • Spread a small amount of pudding in a 9x13 dish.
  • Add a layer of wafers, a layer of banana slices, and more pudding. Repeat, finishing with pudding.
  • If using meringue, beat egg whites with cream of tartar to soft peaks. Add sugar gradually, beating to stiff peaks. Spread over pudding.
  • Bake at 350°F for 10 to 12 minutes, until golden brown.
  • Cool completely and chill for at least 2 hours before serving.

Notes

Don’t rush the custard. Stir continuously so it doesn’t scorch.
Use fresh eggs. They whip better for the meringue.
Serve cold for the best texture.
Want a shortcut? Substitute 2 packages of cooked vanilla pudding for homemade custard, but layer and chill the same way.

Nutrition

Calories: 370kcalCarbohydrates: 54gProtein: 6gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 130mgSodium: 180mgSugar: 37g
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