Desserts
Southern Banana Pudding
Layers of vanilla custard, ripe bananas, and wafers chilled until spoon-soft.
- Prep Time
- 25 minutes
- Cook Time
- 10 minutes
- Total Time
- 4 hours 35 minutes
- Servings
- 10
Banana pudding is the potluck dessert people request by name. A real cooked custard makes all the difference against the sweetness of the wafers.
It needs time in the refrigerator, which makes it an ideal make-ahead dessert.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Make-ahead dessert
- No baking required
- Classic potluck favorite
- Feeds a crowd
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1/3 cup cornstarch
- 4 egg yolks
- 3 cups whole milk
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp butter
- 5 ripe bananas, sliced
- 1 box vanilla wafers
- 2 cups whipped cream
Substitutions: Shortbread cookies work in place of wafers.
How to Make It
- 1
Cook the custard
Whisk sugar, cornstarch, yolks, and milk over medium heat until thickened, about 8 minutes.
- 2
Finish
Off heat, stir in butter and vanilla, then cool 15 minutes.
- 3
Layer
Alternate wafers, bananas, and custard in a trifle dish.
- 4
Chill
Cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours, then top with whipped cream.
Recipe Tips
- Use bananas with a few brown speckles for the best flavor.
- Press plastic wrap onto the custard to prevent a skin.
What to Serve With It
- Homemade Peach Cobbler — Juicy cinnamon peaches under a golden, buttery cobbler crust.
- Southern Fried Chicken — Buttermilk-brined chicken with a craggy, deeply seasoned crust that stays crisp long after it leaves the skillet.
- Sweet Potato Pie — Silky spiced sweet potato custard in a flaky, all-butter crust.
Storage & Reheating
- Refrigerator
- Best within 2 days.
- Freezing
- Not recommended.
- Reheating
- Serve chilled.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I keep the bananas from browning?
Toss the slices with a little lemon juice and keep them fully covered in custard.
Recipe Card
Southern Banana Pudding
Layers of vanilla custard, ripe bananas, and wafers chilled until spoon-soft.
- Prep
- 25 minutes
- Cook
- 10 minutes
- Total
- 4 hours 35 minutes
- Servings
- 10
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1/3 cup cornstarch
- 4 egg yolks
- 3 cups whole milk
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp butter
- 5 ripe bananas, sliced
- 1 box vanilla wafers
- 2 cups whipped cream
Instructions
- Whisk sugar, cornstarch, yolks, and milk over medium heat until thickened, about 8 minutes.
- Off heat, stir in butter and vanilla, then cool 15 minutes.
- Alternate wafers, bananas, and custard in a trifle dish.
- Cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours, then top with whipped cream.
Notes
Make it the night before for the softest wafers.
You Might Also Love
Desserts
Homemade Peach Cobbler
Juicy cinnamon peaches under a golden, buttery cobbler crust.
Chicken
Southern Fried Chicken
Buttermilk-brined chicken with a craggy, deeply seasoned crust that stays crisp long after it leaves the skillet.
Desserts
Sweet Potato Pie
Silky spiced sweet potato custard in a flaky, all-butter crust.