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Creamy Southern-Style Banana Pudding Recipe Easy Homemade Vanilla Wafers Dessert

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A rich and creamy Southern-style banana pudding layered with vanilla wafers and ripe bananas, capturing the perfect balance of sweetness and texture reminiscent of a classic Charleston diner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 4 large egg yolks, room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
  • 4–5 ripe bananas, sliced
  • 1 (12 oz) box vanilla wafers
  • Optional Topping:
  • 1 cup heavy cream, cold
  • 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. In a medium saucepan, whisk together sugar, flour, and salt until well blended.
  2. Slowly pour in whole milk while whisking constantly to keep mixture smooth.
  3. Place saucepan over medium heat and whisk often as mixture thickens, about 8 to 10 minutes, until it bubbles gently and coats the back of a spoon.
  4. In a separate bowl, beat egg yolks. Slowly ladle about 1 cup of hot milk mixture into yolks while whisking vigorously to temper eggs.
  5. Pour egg mixture back into saucepan and cook for another 2-3 minutes, whisking constantly until custard thickens and becomes creamy. Remove from heat.
  6. Stir in vanilla extract and softened butter until fully incorporated and glossy.
  7. Transfer custard to a clean bowl, cover with plastic wrap pressed directly on surface, and chill for at least 1 hour.
  8. In a 9×13-inch dish, spread a thin layer of custard on the bottom. Add a layer of vanilla wafers, then half the sliced bananas. Repeat layers and finish with a top layer of custard.
  9. Optional: Whip heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla extract until soft peaks form. Spread or pipe over pudding.
  10. Refrigerate pudding for at least 4 hours or overnight before serving.

Notes

Whisk constantly to avoid lumps and scorching. Use room temperature eggs to prevent curdling. Press plastic wrap on custard to prevent skin formation. Chill pudding for at least 4 hours or overnight for best texture. Use firm ripe bananas and slice just before assembling to prevent browning. For gluten-free, substitute flour and wafers accordingly. For dairy-free, use coconut milk and vegan butter.

Nutrition

Keywords: banana pudding, southern dessert, vanilla wafers, creamy pudding, homemade dessert, classic banana pudding

Find it online: https://daintydine.com/creamy-southern-style-banana-pudding-recipe-easy-homemade-vanilla-wafers-dessert/