Introduction

Homemade banana pudding is a classic dessert that’s creamy, sweet, and full of comforting flavors. Layers of smooth vanilla pudding, ripe bananas, and crunchy wafers come together to create a delightful treat perfect for any occasion.

A white oval dish filled with a layered banana pudding dessert sits on a white marbled textured surface, topped with visible banana slices and crushed round beige cookie pieces. The dessert shows multiple creamy white layers with soft yellow banana slices and crumbled cookies mixed in, creating a mix of smooth and crunchy textures. An ice cream scoop at the front holds a portion of the dessert, showing the layers and creamy texture. Scattered around the dish are whole round beige cookies, and a bunch of ripe yellow bananas rests to the right. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

3 ripe bananas
3 cups vanilla wafers

3/4 cup heavy whipping cream
2 egg yolks

5 tbsp granulated sugar
3 tbsp cornstarch

1 cup whole milk
1 tbsp salted butter
1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

Step 1: In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, whisk together the egg yolks, granulated sugar, cornstarch, and whole milk until well combined.
Step 2: Heat the mixture over low heat, whisking constantly. Bring it to a gentle boil and continue whisking until it thickens. Remove from heat and stir in the butter and vanilla extract until smooth.
Step 3: Pour the pudding into a medium bowl and cover the surface directly with plastic wrap to prevent a skin from forming. Optionally, strain the pudding through a sieve for extra smoothness. Let it cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

Step 4: In a separate bowl, beat the heavy whipping cream on high speed until soft peaks form. Set aside.
Step 5: Remove the chilled pudding from the fridge and beat it until smooth with no lumps. Fold one-third of the whipped cream into the pudding gently, then add the remaining whipped cream in two portions, folding carefully each time to maintain airiness.
Step 6: Layer the dessert by adding a portion of the cream mixture to the bottom of serving glasses or dishes. Top with a layer of vanilla wafers, then add sliced bananas. Repeat the layers until ingredients are used, finishing with a cream layer on top.

Step 7: Cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight to allow the wafers to soften and flavors to meld.
Step 8: Before serving, garnish with extra vanilla wafers and banana slices if desired.

Tips & Variations

Use slightly underripe bananas for firmer slices that hold up better in the layers.

For extra richness, substitute half the milk with half-and-half or cream.
Try adding a sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg between layers for a warm spice note.
If you prefer a lighter dessert, use low-fat milk and reduce sugar slightly.

Replace vanilla wafers with shortbread cookies or graham crackers for a different texture and flavor.

Storage

Store banana pudding covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors improve as it sits, but the bananas may brown over time. For best presentation, add fresh banana slices just before serving. Reheat is not recommended as this dessert is best served chilled.

How to Serve

A white oval dish filled with a creamy dessert composed of three visible layers: the bottom layer has soft beige crumbled cookies, the middle layer shows thick white cream mixed with sliced bananas, and the top layer is smooth white cream sprinkled with more crumbled cookies and six banana slices evenly placed on top. A scoop of the dessert is placed on a metal ice cream scoop near the front, showing the layered texture with cream, banana slices, and cookie pieces. The dish sits on a beige cloth over a white marbled surface, with scattered small round beige cookies around, and a bunch of ripe yellow bananas with brown spots rests nearby. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use instant pudding mix instead of making pudding from scratch?

Yes, instant pudding mix can be used for convenience, but homemade pudding has a fresher, richer flavor and creamier texture that many prefer.

How do I prevent the banana slices from browning?

To slow browning, toss banana slices in a little lemon juice before layering. Adding them just before serving also helps keep them fresh and visually appealing.