How to Make Delicious Banana Pudding from Scratch

Banana pudding is a classic American dessert that is enjoyed all year round. This creamy, delicious treat is a must-have for any special occasion, reunion, or potluck. If you’re a fan of banana pudding, but have never tried making it from scratch, don’t worry! This easy-to-follow recipe will have you whipping up a delicious batch in no time.

To make the banana pudding from scratch, you’ll need a few simple ingredients like fresh bananas, vanilla pudding mix, whipped topping, and vanilla wafers. This recipe is perfect for a relaxed weekend bake or a fun family activity. So, put on your apron, gather your ingredients, and let’s get started on making the best banana pudding your taste buds have ever experienced!

Ingredients for Banana Pudding

Making banana pudding from scratch is fairly simple, but it requires several ingredients. Here are the ingredients you will need to make your banana pudding:

Vanilla Wafers

The classic way to make banana pudding is with vanilla wafers. You will need a box of vanilla wafers, but you can also use other types of cookies if you prefer.

Ripe Bananas

Bananas are the star of this dessert, so you will need a few ripe bananas for your pudding. Make sure to use ripe bananas as they are sweeter and softer, making them perfect for the recipe.

Sugar

Sugar is added to sweeten the pudding to your liking. You can adjust the amount of sugar based on your preference.

Cornstarch

Cornstarch is a thickening agent that turns the pudding mixture into a thick and creamy consistency.

Salt

Salt enhances the flavor of the pudding and balances out the sweetness.

Egg Yolks

Egg yolks add richness and creaminess to the pudding, creating a velvety texture.

Milk

Milk is added to the pudding mixture to create a smooth and creamy consistency. You can use whole milk or low-fat milk, or a combination of both.

Heavy Cream

Heavy cream adds richness and depth of flavor to the pudding. It also helps to thicken it to the desired consistency.

Vanilla Extract

Vanilla extract is added to the pudding mixture to add flavor and aroma.

Whipped Cream for Topping

Whipped cream is the perfect topping for banana pudding. You can use homemade whipped cream or store-bought whipped cream to save time.

Directions for Making Banana Pudding

Now that you have all the ingredients prepared, it’s time to make your banana pudding!

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

Preheat your oven to 350°F.

Step 2: Slice the Bananas

Peel and slice the ripe bananas into thin rounds. Set them aside.

Step 3: Make the Pudding Mixture

In a medium saucepan, whisk together ¾ cup sugar, ¼ cup cornstarch, and ½ teaspoon salt. In a separate bowl, whisk together 4 egg yolks and 3 cups of milk. Slowly whisk the egg mixture into the sugar mixture until smooth. Cook the mixture over medium heat, stirring constantly, until it thickens and comes to a boil. Remove from heat and whisk in 2 tablespoons of butter and 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract.

Step 4: Layer the Pudding

In a 9×13 inch baking dish, layer the vanilla wafers and sliced bananas. Pour the pudding mixture over the top of the banana and wafer layers.

Step 5: Bake and Chill

Bake the pudding for 15-20 minutes or until the pudding is set. Allow the pudding to cool completely, then cover it with plastic wrap and chill it for at least one hour.

Step 6: Top with Whipped Cream

Once the pudding is chilled, top it with whipped cream and a few vanilla wafers. Serve and enjoy your delicious homemade banana pudding!

The Ingredients You’ll Need

Before we dive into the recipe, let’s go over the ingredients you’ll need to make a delicious banana pudding from scratch. Here’s what you’ll need:

1. Ripe Bananas – You’ll need about 4 ripe bananas for this recipe.
2. Vanilla Wafers – You’ll need about a box of vanilla wafers.
3. Whole Milk – 2 cups of whole milk will be enough for this recipe.
4. Granulated Sugar – You’ll need about 1 cup of granulated sugar.
5. Cornstarch – 1/4 cup of cornstarch is needed to thicken the pudding.
6. Salt – 1/4 teaspoon of salt for flavoring.
7. Vanilla Extract – 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract will enhance the flavor.
8. Eggs – 4 large eggs will be used in this recipe.
9. Whipping Cream – 1 cup of whipping cream will be enough to top the pudding.
10. Lemon Juice – 1 tablespoon of lemon juice will prevent the bananas from browning.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Now that we have all the necessary ingredients, let’s get started with the steps on how to make banana pudding from scratch.

1. Preheat your oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
2. Slice the ripe bananas into 1/4-inch rounds and toss them with the lemon juice to prevent browning. Set aside.
3. In a saucepan, combine the sugar, cornstarch, and salt. Mix well.
4. In another bowl, whisk together the eggs and milk until well combined.
5. Slowly pour the egg mixture into the dry ingredients, whisking constantly until fully combined.
6. Place the saucepan on medium heat and cook the mixture, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
7. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
8. Layer the vanilla wafers in the bottom of a 9×13 baking dish.
9. Place a layer of bananas on top of the wafers.
10. Pour half the pudding mixture over the bananas and repeat the layering process.
11. Top the final layer with whipped cream and spread it evenly using a spatula.
12. Bake in the preheated oven for about 15 minutes, or until the top becomes golden brown.
13. Remove from the oven and let it cool to room temperature before serving.

Final Thoughts

Now that you have the recipe for making banana pudding from scratch, there’s no excuse not to make this rich, creamy dessert for you, your family, and friends. The ingredients are readily available, and the steps are easy to follow. You can even customize the recipe to suit your taste. For instance, you can use chocolate wafers, add some nuts for extra crunch, or even put in some whipped chocolate or caramel for added flavor. So why not give it a try and impress your loved ones with your cooking skills? Happy pudding making!

Ingredients

Before we dive into the actual cooking process, it’s important to gather all of the necessary ingredients to make the perfect banana pudding from scratch. You’ll need:

Preparation

Now that we’ve gathered all the necessary ingredients, it’s time to start the preparation process. You’ll want to take the following steps:

Step 1: Mix Milk and Sugar

In a medium saucepan, mix the sugar and flour until well combined. Gradually stir in the milk and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until the mixture thickens. This should take about 10-15 minutes, and the mixture should be smooth and creamy.

Step 2: Add Eggs

In a separate bowl, beat the eggs and then add a small amount of the hot sugar mixture, stirring constantly. Then add the tempered eggs back into the saucepan with the rest of the hot sugar mixture, stirring constantly until fully combined. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until thickened.

Step 3: Add Vanilla, Salt and Bananas

Remove the saucepan from heat and add in the vanilla extract and salt, stirring until well combined. Next, slice the bananas and mix them into the mixture, making sure to coat each slice with the pudding mixture.

Step 4: Layer the Wafers and Pudding

In a separate 9×13 inch baking dish, layer vanilla wafers on the bottom. Then pour half of the pudding mixture on top of the wafers, making sure to spread the mixture evenly.

Step 5: Repeat Layers and Add Topping

Repeat the layering process, ending with a layer of pudding on top. In a separate bowl, whip the whipping cream and confectionery sugar until stiff peaks form. Spread the whipped cream over the top layer of pudding, and garnish with additional vanilla wafers and sliced bananas.

And there you have it! A delicious and simple recipe for making banana pudding from scratch.

Come Back for More Sweet Treats!

Whew! That was a lot of cooking, but we did it! We hope you enjoyed following along and learned how to make banana pudding from scratch. It’s a classic dessert that’s perfect for any occasion. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different pudding flavors, toppings, and presentation styles. Thanks for reading and be sure to check back for more sweet treats and recipes. Happy cooking!