Banana Puding
Creamy homemade banana pudding layered with fresh bananas, vanilla wafers, and whipped cream, served in cozy individual portions.
Ingredients
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ⅓ cup cornstarch
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- 3 cups whole milk
- 4 large egg yolks, room temperature
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 3 large ripe bananas, sliced into ¼-inch rounds
- 50 vanilla wafer cookies
- Whipped topping, for garnish
- Crushed vanilla wafers and banana slices, for garnish
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, whisk together granulated sugar, cornstarch, and kosher salt.
- Gradually whisk in whole milk until the mixture is smooth.
- Place the saucepan over medium heat and cook, whisking constantly, until the mixture thickens and comes to a gentle boil. This will take about 6 to 8 minutes.
- While the pudding heats, in a medium bowl, lightly whisk the egg yolks.
- Once the milk mixture is hot and thickened, slowly pour about 1 cup of the hot pudding into the egg yolks, whisking constantly to temper the eggs.
- Pour the egg yolk mixture back into the saucepan with the remaining pudding and continue to whisk over medium-low heat for another 2 to 3 minutes, until thickened and bubbling.
- Remove from heat and stir in unsalted butter and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Transfer the pudding to a clean bowl and press a piece of plastic wrap directly onto the surface to prevent a skin from forming. Let cool at room temperature for about 30 minutes, then refrigerate until chilled (at least 2 hours or up to overnight).
- Once pudding is fully chilled, assemble the banana puddings. In each glass dish, place a layer of vanilla wafer cookies at the bottom.
- Add a spoonful of pudding on top, smoothing it out with a small spatula.
- Layer banana slices over the pudding, followed by more cookies.
- Repeat with another layer of pudding, more banana slices, and cookies until the glass is nearly full, finishing with a final layer of pudding.
- Top with whipped topping, then sprinkle with crushed vanilla wafers and garnish with a banana slice and a whole cookie if desired.
- Serve immediately or chill until ready to serve. Best served the same day for freshest bananas and cookies with a bit of crunch.