by Jocelyn (Grandbaby Cakes) · Updated
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A true Southern Classic, this Homemade Banana Pudding Recipe is flavored with ripe banana and vanilla essence and is perfectly creamy and rich from the addition of egg yolks and heavy cream.
This wonderful recipe comes from my dear friend Carla Hall and her cookbook Carla Hall’s Soul Food. It is such a fantastic book with so much heart and well “soul” that you must add to your collection. I felt so genuinely connected to all of the recipes in the book but this one stood out to me.
Table of Contents
The Heart and Soul of the Best Banana Pudding Recipe
Cuisine Inspiration: Southern Comfort
Primary Cooking Method: Stovetop, Refrigeration
Dietary Info: Vegetarian
Key Flavor: Sweet, Creamy Banana
Skill Level: Easy
Sweet Highlights:
- Nostalgic Bliss: This banana pudding brings you right back to grandma’s kitchen, offering a hug in every bite.
- Simple and Satisfying: No need for a culinary degree here—this recipe is straightforward and foolproof, perfect for bakers of all levels.
- Creamy Consistency: With layers of velvety pudding, soft bananas, and meringue, every spoonful is a dream.
- Versatile Sweetness: This banana pudding is adaptable; enjoy it as a comforting dessert at home or dress it up for a fancy gathering.
- Make-Ahead Magic: Prep this delight ahead of time, and watch it become even more flavorful as it chills in the fridge.
Ingredients
Each ingredient in this pudding is vital; they each add their own flavor, texture and flare.
- Cornstarch
- Sugar
- Egg yolks
- Salt
- Whole milk
- Half & Half
- Bananas
- Vanilla extract
- Unsalted butter
- Heavy cream
- Vanilla shortbread cookies
How to Make Banana Pudding
This recipe requires a ton of whisking. You whisk your cornstarch, sugar and egg yolks together, then you heat your milk, half and half and mashed bananas in a medium sized sauce pan over medium heat. While whisking your egg yolk mixture, add your heated milk mixture to it a little at a time. Your prep time for all this whisking to create your pudding is roughly 10 to 15 minutes. Once your pudding is finished, put the bowl it is in in the refrigerator to cool and top it with plastic wrap.
How to Keep Bananas From Turning Brown
You can spray a small amount of citrus juice on the bananas before adding it to the completed dish. This keeps the bananas from turning brown.
How to Store
Refrigerated banana pudding can last up to a week. If you want to keep it a little longer, you can freeze it. Before serving the dish, take a portion out right after completing it. Scoop it into a freezer-safe and airtight container and place in the freezer.
Together, each component of this recipe creates a more elevated version of this classic dessert. That’s not to say that it’s any better but occasionally a slight variation is just what we need. A little change never hurt anybody. The best part of this pudding is its simplicity; you can assemble it quickly without compromising on flavor or quality. Regardless of where you bring it, who you serve it to or what you serve it in, it’s guaranteed to be a crowd pleaser anywhere you serve it.
If you like my banana pudding recipe, you’ll some of my other recipes that feature pudding.
- Banana Pudding Cheesecake Blondies
- Banana Pudding Tiramisu
- Caramelized Banana Pudding Pie
- Rice Pudding
*Did you make this recipe? Please give it a star rating and leave comments below!*
Homemade Banana Pudding Recipe
A true Southern classic done right. This old fashioned banana pudding is flavored with ripe banana and vanilla essence. This wonderful recipe from "Carla Hall's Soul Food".
4.47 from 32 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: soul food, Southern
Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes
Refrigeration: 2 hours hours
Total Time: 30 minutes minutes
Servings: 12 servings
Calories: 308kcal
Author: Jocelyn Delk Adams
Ingredients
For the Banana Pudding
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 6 large egg yolks
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 1/2 cups whole milk
- 1/2 cup half and half
- 1/2 cup mashed ripe banana
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 2 ripe bananas, cut into 1/2 inch slices
For the Meringue
- 6 large egg whites
- 1 cup plus 2 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 tsp apple cider vinegar
US Customary – Metric
Instructions
For the Pudding
Whisk the cornstarch, sugar, egg yolks and salt in a medium bowl. Heat the milk, half-and-half, and mashed banana in a medium saucepan over medium heat until bubbles form around the edges. While whisking the egg yolks, add the hot milk a little at a time. When the bowl feels warm, whisk in the remaining milk. Make sure you whisk well.
Return to the saucepan and set over medium heat. Whisk until the custard thickens and then boils for 2 minutes. Put the vanilla and butter in a large bowl and strain the hot cream over them through a fine-mesh sieve. Stir until smooth, then press a piece of plastic wrap directly on the surface and refrigerate until cold.
Whisk the cream in a large bowl until soft peaks form. Whisk one third of the whipped cream into the pastry cream to loosen it, then gently fold the remainder until incorporated. Fold in the banana chucks.
For the Meringue
Whisk the egg whites and the sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer set over a saucepan of simmering water until the sugar dissolves and the mixture is warm to the touch. Immediately transfer to the mixer fitted with the whisk attachment and whisk on medium-high speed until shiny, stiff peaks form. The bowl should no longer feel warm. Whisk in the vanilla and vinegar.
Preheat the broiler.
Place 12 ramekins on a half-sheet pan. Crumble one cookie into the bottom of each. Divide the pudding among the ramekins, then top with the meringue. Broil until golden brown. Stick 2 shortbreads into each ramekin and serve immediately.
Video
Notes
This recipe is just fantastic with shortbreads but you can also go with an original classic using nilla cookies. That will give you an old fashioned taste.
Nutrition
Calories: 308kcal | Carbohydrates: 36g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Cholesterol: 64mg | Sodium: 82mg | Potassium: 105mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 32g | Vitamin A: 700IU | Vitamin C: 0.9mg | Calcium: 71mg
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