Classic Southern Banana Pudding Recipe - Easy to Make and Enjoy

A Classic Southern Dessert - Banana Pudding Recipe

Banana pudding is the quintessential Southern dessert. This creamy, cool, and delicious pudding is a staple at potlucks, church socials, family gatherings, and holiday meals across the South. With ripe bananas, sweet vanilla pudding, creamy milk, and crispy vanilla wafers, this classic recipe is simple to make but always a hit. Read on for a step-by-step banana pudding recipe, as well as tips for making it best!

The History of Banana Pudding

While the origins of banana pudding are not entirely clear, it became popular in the early 20th century when vanilla wafers and vanilla pudding first became readily available. Bananas were exotic and expensive ingredients back then, so banana pudding was considered a special treat. Over time, as bananas became more accessible, the dessert moved from upscale restaurants to more everyday home cooking.

Banana pudding recipes started appearing in Southern cookbooks in the 1920s and 30s. The earliest published recipe is often attributed to a 1917 article called "Banana Pudding" in the New York Times by Marian Manners. This early recipe included ripe bananas, sugar, lemon juice, and whipped cream. The classic Nilla wafer version we know today came later.

By the 1950s, banana pudding was a staple dessert in the South. Church cookbooks and community recipes all had their own creative takes on this classic. Banana pudding became a standard at potlucks, cookouts, family reunions, school lunches, and church homecomings. Today, banana pudding remains a cherished Southern tradition.

Tips for Making the Best Banana Pudding

While old-fashioned banana pudding is simple to prepare, there are a few tips to ensure yours is top-notch:

• Use very ripe bananas. The riper and softer the bananas, the better the flavor will be. Bananas should be generously spotted brown with no green.
• Make the pudding from scratch. Box pudding mix cannot compare to rich, velvety homemade pudding.
• Chill it well before serving. Banana pudding needs time for the flavors to meld and the wafers to soften.
• Toast the Nilla wafers. A quick toast in the oven makes the wafers crispy.
• Don't skimp on the whipped cream. Sweet whipped cream tops it off perfectly.
• Garnish with sliced bananas. Fresh banana slices add color and more banana flavor.

Keep these tips in mind, and your homemade banana pudding will be amazing!

Classic Banana Pudding Recipe

This traditional banana pudding recipe comes together in three simple steps - making the pudding, assembling the pudding and bananas in a dish, and chantilly cream topping. Read through the instructions first to understand the simple process before starting. The hands-on time is only about 20 minutes - most of the time is chilling!

Ingredients

• 3 cups milk
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 3 egg yolks
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 6 bananas, sliced
• 1 12-ounce box vanilla wafers
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar
• 1 tablespoon vanilla

Instructions

1. Make the pudding: Whisk together milk, sugar, and flour in a medium saucepan. Cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, until thick and bubbly, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat.

2. Whisk egg yolks in a small bowl. Gradually whisk about 1/2 cup hot milk mixture into yolks, then pour back into saucepan. Return to heat and cook 2 minutes more, stirring constantly, until thickened. Remove from heat and stir in butter and 1 tablespoon vanilla. Cover with plastic wrap directly on surface and chill at least 2 hours.

3. Assemble pudding: Spread a small amount of pudding in a 2-3 quart casserole dish. Top with some vanilla wafers, then bananas, then more pudding. Repeat layering to fill dish. Cover and chill at least 4 hours, but preferably overnight.

4. Before serving, make the whipped cream: Beat heavy cream, powdered sugar, and 1 tablespoon vanilla with electric mixer until stiff peaks form. Spread or pipe whipped cream over entire banana pudding. Top with a few more wafer crumbs if desired. Slice and serve chilled.

Make Ahead Tips

The pudding itself can be made 1-2 days in advance. The assembled pudding dish holds well in the fridge for 1-2 days before serving. Whip cream right before serving for best results.

Variations

While traditional banana pudding is tough to beat, feel free to put your own spin on it with these fun options:

• Chocolate wafers - Use Nabisco Famous Chocolate Wafers for a chocolate-lover's twist.
• Toasted coconut - Fold toasted coconut flakes into the whipped cream for added flavor and crunch.
• Pretzel crumb crust - Crush pretzels and mix with butter and sugar, then press into the dish before layering pudding for added crunch.
• Fresh strawberries - Layer sliced fresh strawberries along with the bananas for a fruit-filled dessert.
• Whipped cream cheese frosting - For an extra creamy pudding, use whipped cream cheese frosting instead of chantilly cream.

Don't be afraid to put your own spin on this classic dessert - get creative and enjoy!

Storing and Serving Banana Pudding

Properly stored banana pudding will keep well in the fridge:

• Pudding alone: 3-4 days
• Assembled pudding: 1-2 days

Whip cream right before serving or else it may weep and water down the pudding. Always serve banana pudding well-chilled for the best flavor and texture.

Banana pudding is the perfect potluck or picnic dessert - it travels well when kept cold. Use a trifle dish or individual cups for easy single servings. For parties, spoon into a serving dish and let guests scoop out portions.

Leftovers will keep in the fridge for another 1-2 days. The pudding may become a bit watery but will still taste great!

Enjoy This Southern Specialty

Creamy, sweet banana pudding is a timeless Southern classic for a reason. Both kids and adults love this dessert that comes together with simple pantry ingredients. While traditional banana pudding with Nilla wafers and whipped cream is hard to beat, feel free to customize it to your liking.

Whip up this easy banana pudding for your next get-together. Just be sure to save yourself a portion before it all disappears!

FAQs

How long does homemade banana pudding last?

The pudding itself will last 3-4 days in the fridge. Once assembled in a dish with bananas and wafers, it will last 1-2 days in the fridge.

Can you freeze banana pudding?

Yes, banana pudding freezes well for up to 2-3 months. Do not add whipped cream until ready to serve.

Is banana pudding better if made ahead?

Yes! Allowing the banana pudding to chill overnight helps the flavors develop and the wafers soften. The next day flavors will be even better.

Can you use boxed pudding in banana pudding?

You can, but homemade pudding is thicker, richer and has the best flavor. Boxed pudding may make it more runny.

What can I use instead of Nilla wafers?

Graham crackers, vanilla cookies, shortbread cookies, or gingersnaps all work well. You can also use chocolate wafers or crushed pretzels.