The Creamiest Old-Fashioned Homemade Banana Pudding Recipe Ever

Banana pudding whispers sweet memories of childhood comfort and nostalgic gatherings around family tables.

Southern kitchens have long celebrated this creamy dessert as a beloved classic that transcends generations.

Layers of soft, velvety custard mingle with ripe, golden fruit and delicate cookies, creating a harmonious symphony of textures and flavors.

Rich, smooth ingredients blend together to produce a dessert that feels like a warm embrace from grandma’s kitchen.

Each spoonful carries the essence of traditional home cooking, elevateing simple components into something magical and deeply satisfying.

Generations have passed down this recipe, preserving a culinary tradition that connects us to our roots and celebrates simple, heartwarming pleasures.

Classic Banana Pudding with Vanilla Wafers

• Nostalgic Comfort Dessert: This old-fashioned banana pudding captures the warmth of traditional home cooking, bringing back memories of grandma's kitchen with its simple yet delicious layers of creamy pudding, fresh bananas, and crispy vanilla wafers.
• Texture Sensation: The recipe masterfully combines multiple textures- smooth, silky pudding; soft, sweet banana slices; and crunchy wafer crumbles- creating a delightful mouthfeel that keeps every bite interesting and satisfying.
• Quick and Easy Preparation: Despite looking impressive, this dessert requires minimal cooking skills and uses basic ingredients, making it perfect for home cooks of all levels who want to create a show-stopping treat without spending hours in the kitchen.
• Make-Ahead Magic: The pudding actually improves when chilled overnight, allowing flavors to meld and develop, which means less stress on the day of serving and a convenient dessert option for gatherings and potlucks.

Banana Pudding Ingredient Checklist

• Sugar: Sweetens the pudding and balances the flavors.
• All-Purpose Flour: Thickens the pudding and creates a smooth texture.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the dessert.
• Milk: Provides the creamy base for the pudding.
• Eggs: Adds richness and helps to set the pudding.
• Vanilla Extract: Brings a classic, warm flavor to the dessert.

• Vanilla Wafers, Nilla Wafers: Provides a crunchy texture and classic banana pudding base.
• Bananas: Fresh, ripe bananas add natural sweetness and creamy texture.

• Vanilla Wafers: Crushed for a crispy, decorative topping that adds extra crunch.

Old Fashioned Banana Pudding Preparation Guide

Step 1: Create The Silky Pudding Base

• Sugar
• Flour
• Salt

Slowly pour in milk, whisking until perfectly smooth. Cook over medium heat, stirring continuously until the mixture thickens and bubbles. Reduce heat and simmer for 2 minutes, stirring gently.

Step 2: Master The Egg Tempering Technique

Remove pan from heat. In a separate bowl, whisk eggs thoroughly. Slowly drizzle hot pudding into eggs, whisking constantly to prevent scrambling. This delicate process ensures a luxurious, smooth texture.

Step 3: Complete The Pudding Magic

Return egg mixture to saucepan. Cook on medium-low heat, stirring constantly until pudding begins to gently bubble. Add vanilla extract, stirring to incorporate. Remove from heat and let cool for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent skin formation.

Step 4: Build Delicious Layers

• First layer: Vanilla wafers covering the bottom
• Second layer: Half the banana slices
• Third layer: Half the pudding mixture

Repeat layers, finishing with pudding on top.

Step 5: Chill And Let Flavors Develop

Cover the pan with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 4-8 hours or overnight. This resting time allows flavors to meld and pudding to set perfectly.

Step 6: Serve With Flair

Before serving, crush additional vanilla wafers. Sprinkle crumbs over the top for a delightful crunch.

Tips for Silky Smooth Banana Pudding

• Whisk Smoothly: Use a silicone whisk to prevent scratching your saucepan and ensure a lump-free pudding mixture.
• Control the Heat: Stir continuously while cooking to prevent scorching and create a creamy, smooth texture.
• Temper Carefully: Add hot pudding to eggs very slowly and whisk vigorously to prevent scrambling and maintain a silky consistency.
• Choose Ripe Bananas: Select bananas with some brown spots for maximum sweetness and deeper flavor in your pudding.
• Layer Strategically: Place wafers and bananas evenly to ensure each spoonful has a perfect balance of creamy pudding, fruit, and cookie crunch.

Storing and Reheating Banana Pudding

• Refrigeration: Store banana pudding in an airtight container or cover the original dish tightly with plastic wrap. Keeps fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Freezing: Do not freeze this pudding, as the bananas and wafers will become mushy and lose their delightful texture when thawed.
• Reheating: This dessert is best enjoyed cold straight from the refrigerator. Gently scrape out individual servings without disturbing the layered structure to maintain the pudding's beautiful presentation.

Serving Suggestions for Banana Pudding

• Pair with Creamy Coffee: Brew a rich, smooth cappuccino or latte to complement the banana pudding's sweet, velvety texture. The coffee's warmth and slight bitterness balance the dessert's sugary notes perfectly.
• Match with Nutty Liqueur: Drizzle a shot of hazelnut or almond liqueur alongside the pudding. These nutty spirits enhance the vanilla wafer's crunch and add a sophisticated adult twist to the classic dessert.
• Serve with Caramel Garnish: Top the pudding with a light drizzle of salted caramel sauce. This adds depth to the banana's natural sweetness and creates a luxurious layered flavor experience that feels indulgent yet familiar.
• Refresh with Sparkling Wine: Pour a chilled glass of prosecco or champagne. The bubbly, crisp wine cuts through the pudding's richness and provides a delightful effervescent contrast to the creamy dessert.

Banana Pudding Flavor Variations

• Chocolate Banana Bliss: Add cocoa powder to the pudding mixture and layer with chocolate wafers for a rich, decadent version of the classic dessert.
• Coconut Tropical Paradise: Incorporate shredded coconut into the pudding and top with toasted coconut flakes for a tropical-inspired treat.
• Caramel Banana Dream: Drizzle homemade caramel sauce between layers and sprinkle sea salt on top for a sophisticated sweet-and-salty combination.
• No-Bake Banana Parfait: Create individual servings in mason jars, using graham cracker crumbs instead of wafers and adding a layer of whipped cream for an easy, portable dessert option.

Old-Fashioned Homemade Banana Pudding Recipe

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4.8 from 39 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Creamy Southern banana pudding celebrates classic dessert comfort with layers of vanilla wafers, ripe bananas, and silky custard. Sweet nostalgia swirls through each spoonful, inviting memories of grandmother’s kitchen and pure homestyle delight.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Dairy and Eggs:

• 3 cups milk
• 3 eggs

Dry Ingredients:

• ¾ cup sugar
• ¼ cup flour
• ¼ teaspoon salt

Flavoring and Additional Ingredients:

• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 box vanilla wafers (about 8 ounces / 226 grams)
• 4 bananas, sliced

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Instructions

1. In a saucepan, blend sugar, flour, and salt, creating a dry ingredient base for the silky pudding mixture.
2. Gradually incorporate milk, whisking until the texture becomes uniformly smooth and free of lumps.
3. Heat the mixture over medium flame, stirring continuously to prevent scorching and promote even thickening.
4. Once the pudding develops a gentle bubbling consistency, reduce heat and simmer for an additional two minutes.
5. Remove the saucepan from heat and prepare the egg component by whisking them in a separate bowl.
6. Carefully introduce a small portion of the hot pudding into the eggs, constantly stirring to prevent curdling.
7. Gently reintegrate the tempered egg mixture back into the primary pudding, maintaining a consistent stirring motion.
8. Return the combined mixture to low heat, allowing it to reach a delicate boiling point while stirring continuously.
9. Infuse the pudding with vanilla extract, then remove from heat and let it cool for approximately fifteen minutes.
10. Periodically stir the cooling pudding to prevent a skin from forming on the surface.
11. Select an ungreased 8-inch square pan and create an initial layer of vanilla wafers across the bottom.
12. Distribute a generous portion of banana slices atop the wafer foundation.
13. Pour half of the prepared pudding mixture over the banana layer, ensuring even coverage.
14. Repeat the layering process with remaining wafers, banana slices, and pudding, concluding with a final pudding layer.
15. Seal the pan with plastic wrap and refrigerate for a minimum of four hours, allowing flavors to meld and texture to set.
16. Before serving, crush additional vanilla wafers and sprinkle them as a crisp, decorative topping.
17. Serve chilled and savor this nostalgic dessert.

Notes

• Tempering eggs is crucial to prevent scrambling, ensuring a smooth, creamy pudding texture without lumps.
• Use ripe, spotty bananas for maximum sweetness and deeper flavor in the dessert.
• Constant stirring prevents scorching and creates a silky, consistent pudding base.
• Chilling overnight allows flavors to meld and develop a rich, harmonious taste profile.
• Crushing wafers as a topping adds delightful crunch and nostalgic charm to the classic dessert.
• Room temperature ingredients help create a more even and stable pudding mixture.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 250
• Sugar: 18 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 5 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 45 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg