Desserts
Old-Fashioned Banana Pudding
Layers of vanilla wafers, sliced bananas, and warm homemade custard, chilled until the cookies turn soft and cake-like.
Banana pudding is the dessert that gets requested by name at every family gathering, and the homemade custard is what sets this version apart from anything from a box. Given time in the refrigerator, the vanilla wafers soften into tender, cake-like layers that practically melt against the custard.
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3 cups whole milk
- 4 large egg yolks, beaten
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 (11-ounce) box vanilla wafers
- 5 medium ripe bananas, sliced
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 3 tablespoons powdered sugar
Instructions
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1
Cook the custard baseWhisk the sugar, flour, and salt together in a saucepan, then gradually whisk in the milk until smooth. Cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, for 8 to 10 minutes until thickened.
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2
Temper the egg yolksWhisk a ladleful of the hot mixture into the beaten egg yolks, then stir the yolks back into the saucepan and cook for 2 more minutes, whisking constantly.
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3
Finish the custardRemove from the heat and stir in the butter and vanilla extract until melted and smooth. Let the custard cool for 10 minutes.
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4
Layer the puddingIn a trifle dish or 9x13-inch dish, layer vanilla wafers, sliced bananas, and warm custard, repeating until all ingredients are used, ending with a layer of custard.
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5
Whip the cream toppingBeat the heavy cream and powdered sugar to soft peaks and spread over the top of the pudding, or dollop it just before serving.
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6
Chill before servingCover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight, to allow the wafers to soften and the layers to set.
Okra & Oak Tip
Pour the custard over the layers while it is still warm so the vanilla wafers soften evenly by the time the pudding is chilled.
Storage
Cover tightly and refrigerate for up to 3 days; the bananas will darken slightly over time but the flavor stays wonderful.
Frequently Asked Questions
Toss the banana slices lightly in a little lemon juice before layering to slow down browning, though some darkening is normal by day two.
You can, but the homemade custard has a richer, less gelatinous texture that most people find worth the extra 15 minutes.
Nutrition
Per serving. Values are estimates.
335
Calories
6g
Protein
45g
Carbs
14g
Fat
