Homemade Banana Pudding with Vanilla Wafers and Whipped Cream Recipe
This homemade Banana Pudding recipe features a silky smooth custard layered with ripe bananas and crunchy vanilla wafers, topped with stabilized whipped cream. With a rich vanilla custard made from scratch and no gelatin needed, it offers a comforting and nostalgic dessert perfect for gatherings or family dinners. The pudding is chilled to develop flavors and texture, resulting in a luscious and creamy treat that everyone will love.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 4 hours 25 minutes
- Yield: 10 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Custard Base
- 3 cups whole milk
- 0.75 cup granulated sugar
- 0.33 cup cornstarch
- 0.25 tsp fine sea salt
- 4 large egg yolks
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter, cubed
- 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
Assembly
- 11 oz vanilla wafers
- 5 large ripe bananas, sliced
Whipped Cream Topping
- 1.5 cups heavy whipping cream
- 3 tbsp powdered sugar
Instructions
- Combine dry ingredients. In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, whisk together granulated sugar, cornstarch, and fine sea salt until evenly mixed to prepare the base for the custard.
- Add wet ingredients slowly. Slowly whisk in the cold whole milk and egg yolks to the dry mixture until it is smooth and free of lumps, using the cold-slurry method to ensure a creamy custard without clumps.
- Cook custard. Place the saucepan over medium heat and whisk constantly for 10-15 minutes until the mixture thickens to a glossy custard that just begins to bubble, indicating it has reached the perfect consistency.
- Incorporate butter and vanilla. Remove the custard from heat and immediately whisk in the cold, cubed unsalted butter and vanilla extract until the butter melts completely and the custard is smooth and flavorful.
- Cool custard. Let the custard cool slightly until just warm, but not hot, which allows the vanilla wafers to soften properly when layered, creating a cake-like texture.
- Layer pudding. In a 9×9 inch glass dish, start with a base layer of vanilla wafers, followed by a layer of sliced bananas evenly spread across the wafers.
- Add custard layer. Pour a portion of the warm custard over the banana slices, making sure every banana slice is fully submerged to prevent oxidation and browning.
- Repeat layers and chill. Repeat layering wafers, bananas, and custard until all ingredients are used. Press plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the custard to prevent a skin from forming, then chill the pudding for at least 4 hours to set and develop flavor.
- Prepare whipped cream. Before serving, whisk the cold heavy whipping cream and powdered sugar together in a chilled bowl until stiff peaks form, ensuring a stabilized and fluffy topping.
- Finish and serve. Spread the whipped cream over the chilled pudding evenly and garnish with additional crushed vanilla wafer crumbs if desired. Serve immediately or keep chilled until ready to enjoy.
Notes
- Ensure the custard is whisked constantly over medium heat to prevent lumps and burning.
- Pressing plastic wrap directly onto the custard surface avoids formation of a custard skin.
- Use ripe but firm bananas for best texture; overripe bananas may become mushy when layered.
- The pudding tastes best after chilling for at least 4 hours or overnight to enhance flavor and texture.
- For a lighter version, consider using reduced-fat milk and cream, but the texture may vary.
- If desired, garnish with crushed vanilla wafers or fresh banana slices just before serving for extra texture and presentation.
Keywords: banana pudding, homemade banana pudding, vanilla custard, layered dessert, classic southern dessert
