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Creamy Banana Pudding Recipe with Vanilla Wafers Easy Homemade Dessert

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A nostalgic yet fresh homemade banana pudding featuring silky vanilla pudding, ripe bananas, crunchy vanilla wafers, and fresh whipped cream. This easy dessert is perfect for gatherings and quick to prepare.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 ripe bananas, sliced (ripe but not overly mushy for best texture)
  • 3 cups (720 ml) whole milk (or 2% or dairy-free milk like almond or oat milk)
  • ¾ cup (150 g) granulated sugar (organic cane sugar preferred)
  • ⅓ cup (40 g) cornstarch (or almond flour for gluten-free option)
  • 4 large egg yolks (room temperature)
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 2 tablespoons (28 g) unsalted butter, softened
  • About 45 vanilla wafers (Nabisco or preferred brand)
  • 2 cups (480 ml) cold heavy whipping cream
  • 2 tablespoons powdered sugar (optional, for sweetening whipped cream)

Instructions

  1. In a medium saucepan, combine sugar, cornstarch, and salt. Slowly whisk in milk until smooth with no lumps.
  2. Cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, until mixture thickens and bubbles, about 7-10 minutes. It should coat the back of a spoon.
  3. In a separate bowl, lightly beat egg yolks. Gradually whisk in about ½ cup (120 ml) of the hot milk mixture to temper the yolks.
  4. Pour the yolk mixture back into the saucepan, whisking continuously. Cook for another 2 minutes until thick and creamy, but do not boil.
  5. Remove from heat and whisk in butter and vanilla extract until smooth and glossy.
  6. Transfer pudding to a clean bowl and cover surface with plastic wrap to prevent skin forming. Let cool to room temperature, about 30 minutes.
  7. Peel and slice bananas into ¼-inch (6 mm) rounds and set aside.
  8. In a chilled bowl, beat cold heavy whipping cream until it starts to thicken. Add powdered sugar if using and whip to soft peaks.
  9. In a serving dish, layer vanilla wafers on the bottom, then banana slices, then pudding. Repeat layers until all ingredients are used, finishing with whipped cream on top.
  10. Reserve a few wafers for garnish.
  11. Refrigerate for at least 3 hours or preferably overnight to allow flavors to meld and wafers to soften slightly.
  12. Before serving, garnish with reserved vanilla wafers and banana slices if desired.

Notes

Whisk constantly during pudding cooking to avoid lumps and scorching. Temper egg yolks carefully to prevent curdling. Use ripe but firm bananas for best texture. Chill pudding for at least 3 hours or overnight for best flavor and texture. Whip cream to soft peaks to avoid graininess. Assemble layers evenly for balanced bites. Can substitute almond flour for cornstarch for gluten-free, and coconut whipped cream for dairy-free/vegan versions.

Nutrition

Keywords: banana pudding, vanilla wafers, homemade dessert, creamy pudding, whipped cream, easy dessert, nostalgic dessert

Find it online: https://eliplate.com/creamy-banana-pudding-recipe-with-vanilla-wafers-easy-homemade-dessert/