Banana Pudding Recipe
Rich vanilla pudding with bananas slices and vanilla wafers, topped with whipped cream and a cherry.
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Ingredients
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Pudding
Assembly
Topping
Method
Pudding
- 1
- 2
Mix dry and yolks
While the milk warms, in a heatproof bowl whisk together 3 tablespoons granulated sugar, 1 tablespoon cornstarch, and 1 teaspoon salt. Add 3 large egg yolks and whisk until smooth and pale.
- 3
- 4
Cook until thickened
Return the saucepan to medium-low heat and cook, stirring constantly with a heatproof spatula, scraping the bottom, until the mixture thickens and coats the back of the spatula, about 3–5 minutes. Do not let it boil vigorously.
- 5
Finish pudding
Remove from heat. Stir in 2 tablespoons unsalted butter and 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract until smooth. If you see any lumps, press the pudding through a fine-mesh sieve into a clean bowl for a silky texture.
- 6
Cool
Cover the surface of the pudding directly with plastic wrap to prevent a skin from forming. Chill in the refrigerator at least 1 hour until fully cooled and set.
Assembly
- 7
Prepare bananas and wafers
Peel and slice 3 medium ripe bananas into 1/4-inch rounds. Arrange vanilla wafers near your work area for layering (about 40 wafers total for an 8x8 or similar trifle).
- 8
Layer pudding
In a 8x8 baking dish or individual parfait glasses, place a single layer of vanilla wafers on the bottom to cover the surface. Spoon about one-third of the chilled vanilla pudding over the wafers and smooth. Arrange a layer of banana slices over the pudding (use roughly half the bananas). Repeat with another layer of wafers, one-third of the pudding, and the remaining banana slices. Finish with a final layer of wafers and the remaining pudding, smoothing the top.
- 9
Chill to set
Cover the assembled dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 2 hours (preferably 4 hours) so the wafers soften slightly and flavors meld.
Topping
- 10
Make whipped cream
About 10–15 minutes before serving, in a chilled bowl use a hand mixer or whisk to beat 1 cup heavy whipping cream with 2 teaspoons powdered sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract until soft to medium peaks form.
- 11
Top and serve
Spread or pipe the whipped cream over the chilled pudding. Garnish with 1 maraschino cherry per serving (about 8 cherries) and, if desired, a few crushed vanilla wafers for texture. Serve chilled.