🍌 Classic Southern Banana Pudding 🍌✨
A timeless Southern dessert layered with vanilla wafers, bananas, and creamy homemade custard.
Ingredients
Homemade Vanilla Custard
- ¾ cup (150 g) granulated sugar
- ⅓ cup (42 g) all-purpose flour
- ¼ tsp fine sea salt
- 4 large egg yolks (reserve whites for meringue)
- 2½ cups (600 ml) whole milk, divided
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1½ tsp pure vanilla extract
Assembly Layers
- 1 (11 oz) box vanilla wafers (~45 cookies)
- 5–6 medium bananas, sliced ¼-inch thick (~3 cups)
Topping Options
- Meringue: 4 egg whites, ¼ tsp cream of tartar, ¼ cup (50 g) sugar
- Whipped Cream: 1½ cups cold heavy cream, 2 tbsp powdered sugar, ½ tsp vanilla
Instructions
- Make Custard: Whisk sugar, flour, and salt in saucepan. Add yolks + ½ cup milk until smooth. Gradually whisk in remaining milk. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, 8–10 minutes until thickened. Remove from heat, stir in butter and vanilla. Cool 10 minutes.
- Layer Pudding: In 9×13 dish: • Layer 1: ⅓ wafers • Layer 2: ½ bananas • Layer 3: ½ custard Repeat layers once more. Finish with wafers around edges for decoration.
- Add Topping: • Meringue: Beat whites + cream of tartar to soft peaks. Add sugar gradually. Spread over hot custard. Bake 350°F (175°C) for 10–12 min until golden. Chill ≥4 hrs. • Whipped Cream: Whip cream, sugar, vanilla to stiff peaks. Spread over chilled pudding. Garnish with wafers or banana slices. Chill 30 min.
- Chill & Serve: Refrigerate ≥4 hrs (overnight best). Custard sets, wafers soften, flavors meld beautifully.
Details
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: ~4 hrs 30 min (including chilling)
- Servings: 10–12
- Kcal: ~250 per serving
✨ A creamy, nostalgic dessert that embodies Southern comfort—best served chilled with family and friends.