Ingredients:
For the Pudding:
3 cups whole milk
1 cup heavy cream
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup cornstarch
1/4 teaspoon salt
5 large egg yolks
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
For the Layers:
1 box (about 12 oz) vanilla wafer cookies
4 large ripe bananas, sliced
For the Whipped Topping:
1 cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions:
Make the Pudding:
In a medium saucepan, combine the whole milk, heavy cream, granulated sugar, cornstarch, and salt. Whisk together and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture begins to thicken and comes to a gentle boil.
Temper the Egg Yolks:
In a separate bowl, whisk the egg yolks. Slowly add a little bit of the hot milk mixture to the yolks, whisking constantly to prevent curdling. Once the yolks are tempered, slowly pour the yolk mixture back into the saucepan with the remaining hot milk mixture, whisking constantly.
Cook the Pudding:
Continue cooking over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the pudding thickens further (about 2-3 minutes). Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract and unsalted butter until smooth.
Cool the Pudding:
Let the pudding cool for about 10 minutes. Cover the surface of the pudding with plastic wrap to prevent a skin from forming. Allow it to cool to room temperature, then refrigerate until fully chilled (about 2 hours).
Assemble the Banana Pudding:
In a trifle dish or a large serving bowl, layer the ingredients starting with a layer of vanilla wafer cookies at the bottom. Add a layer of sliced bananas, followed by a layer of pudding. Repeat the layers, finishing with pudding on top.
Make the Whipped Cream:
In a chilled mixing bowl, beat the heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla extract until soft peaks form. Spread or pipe the whipped cream over the top layer of pudding.
Chill and Serve:
Cover the pudding and refrigerate for at least 4 hours (or overnight) to allow the flavors to meld and the wafers to soften. Before serving, you can add extra wafer cookies or banana slices on top for decoration.
Why You’ll Love This Banana Pudding:
This classic, creamy dessert is a perfect balance of sweet, velvety pudding, ripe bananas, and crunchy vanilla wafers. Topped with fresh whipped cream, it’s a decadent, comforting treat that everyone will love. Whether for a family dinner, holiday gathering, or special occasion, this banana pudding is sure to be a crowd-pleaser!