There’s nothing quite like the nostalgia and simplicity of homemade banana pudding. I layered from-scratch vanilla pudding with bananas and vanilla wafers to recreate this childhood favorite recipe. It’s so much better than instant pudding and surprisingly easy to make. The hardest part is waiting for it to cool and set in the fridge!
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This homemade banana pudding is ridiculously rich and creamy! I loaded it up with whole milk, egg yolks, and salted butter so it’s decadently delicious all on its own. The crispy-gone-soggy vanilla wafers add the perfect contrasting texture, and the sweet bananas take it to the next level. This is one pudding I could eat any time of day!
What’s in This Homemade Banana Pudding Recipe?
- Sugar: Granulated sugar sweetens the pudding.
- Cornstarch: Helps thicken the pudding as it cooks.
- Milk: Whole milk makes this pudding super rich and creamy.
- Salt: A touch of kosher salt enhances the overall flavor of the pudding.
- Egg: Egg yolks make the pudding rich and decadent. Save the leftover egg whites for a healthy breakfast, or use them to make coconut macaroons!
- Vanilla Extract: Adds warmth to the pudding.
- Butter: Salted butter helps make the pudding rich.
- Food Coloring: I sometimes like to add a few drops of yellow food coloring if the pudding looks a little pale. This is totally optional, though!
- Nilla Wafers: These vanilla-flavored cookies are the classic choice for layering in banana pudding. They turn soft and fluffy after soaking up the pudding.
- Bananas: Freshly sliced bananas give this pudding its signature flavor!
- Whipped Topping: I like to top my pudding with some stabilized whipped topping, like Cool Whip, so it stays looking beautiful. If using regular whipped cream, wait until just before serving to add it so it doesn’t melt away.
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Tips for Success
- This is a great make-ahead dessert. It needs at least 4 hours in the fridge for the pudding to set, but it will do well for a few days, too!
- Don’t use over-ripe bananas for this recipe or they will quickly brown. If you are planning on making it a couple of days ahead of time, you can add lemon juice to the banana slices to slow down the browning process.
- If your pudding looks runny, it likely needs to be cooked for longer. I recommend keeping the pan on the heat when adding the egg mixture. If your pudding is still runny when you take it out of the fridge, it may just need some extra chilling time.
- To prepare individual banana pudding cups, simply layer the cookies, bananas, and pudding into small dishes or coupes.
How to Store
Store leftover homemade banana pudding tightly covered with plastic wrap pressed to the surface to prevent a skin from forming. The pudding will keep well for up to 4 days, after which the wafers will start to soften up and disintegrate. I do not recommend freezing this pudding.
Serving Suggestions
I like to serve my homemade banana pudding with a drizzle of chocolate sauce or caramel sauce. It’s also great with some warmed peanut butter or almond butter drizzled over top.
Banana Pudding Recipe
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Ingredients
- ½ cup granulated sugar 100 grams
- ⅓ cup cornstarch 37 grams
- 2½ cups whole milk 568 grams
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 3 egg yolks 42 grams
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract 8 grams
- 3 tablespoons salted butter 42 grams, cold
- 4 drops yellow food coloring optional
- 11 ounces Nilla Wafers 312 grams (1 box)
- 2 large bananas thinly sliced (plus more for garnishing, optional)
- 8 ounces whipped topping 227 grams (1 tub), such as Cool Whip
Recommended Equipment
- Kitchen Scale (optional)
- 8×8-inch Baking Pan
Instructions
- Add the sugar, cornstarch, milk, and salt to a double boiler (or a heatproof bowl set over a saucepan) placed over medium heat.½ cup granulated sugar, ⅓ cup cornstarch, 2½ cups whole milk, ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- Whisk frequently until the mixture begins to thicken, about 10-15 minutes.
- Place the egg yolks in a separate bowl.3 egg yolks
- Add about ½ cup of the thickened milk mixture to the egg yolks and whisk to temper the eggs.
- Add the tempered eggs to the milk mixture and continue to whisk until thickened, about 3-5 minutes. It may look slightly thinner than pudding at this point, but it will thicken further in the refrigerator. (See notes for further explanation).
- Remove from the heat then whisk in the vanilla extract, butter, and food coloring (if using) until the butter has melted.2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract, 3 tablespoons salted butter, 4 drops yellow food coloring
- Arrange an even layer of vanilla wafers on the bottom of an 8×8-inch baking dish.11 ounces Nilla Wafers
- Top the vanilla wafers with banana slices. Pour half of the pudding over the cookies and banana slices.2 large bananas
- Smooth the pudding in an even layer, then top with more cookies and banana slices.
- Pour the remaining pudding on top in an even layer.
- Let cool for 15 minutes, then cover with plastic and refrigerate for at least 4-6 hours.
- Top with whipped topping before serving. Crush any remaining cookies and use to garnish along with additional banana slices.8 ounces whipped topping
Last step! Don’t forget to show me a pic of what you made! Upload an image or tag me @thecookierookie on Instagram!
Becky’s tips
Nutrition Information
