Description
A rich, creamy, and nostalgic Southern dessert made from scratch with a homemade custard base, fresh bananas, and vanilla wafers. This make-ahead treat offers the perfect balance of soft cookies and cool custard.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 cups whole milk
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 large egg yolks
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 cups heavy cream, chilled
- 5–6 medium bananas, sliced lengthwise
- 1 package vanilla wafers (about 30–40 cookies)
- 1–2 tablespoons Sherry or Rum (optional)
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, whisk together sugar, flour, and salt. Slowly whisk in milk until smooth.
- Cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, until the mixture thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon (about 10-12 minutes).
- Remove from heat. Temper the egg yolks by whisking in a small amount of hot custard, then pour the yolk mixture back into the pot. Whisk vigorously for 1 minute.
- Stir in butter and vanilla extract until glossy.
- Pour custard into a large bowl, cover surface directly with plastic wrap, and cool to room temperature. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes until cold.
- In a separate bowl, whip heavy cream until stiff peaks form.
- Gently fold the whipped cream into the cooled custard until no white streaks remain.
- In a 9×13 inch dish, create layers: vanilla wafers, sliced bananas, and custard mixture. Repeat for 3-4 layers, finishing with custard.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight, to allow flavors to meld and wafers to soften.
- Serve chilled or at room temperature.
Notes
For best results, use ripe bananas that are yellow with brown speckles but still firm. Slice bananas lengthwise for better presentation. Ensure the custard is completely cold before folding in the whipped cream to prevent melting. This pudding tastes better the next day as the flavors meld and the wafers soften into a cake-like layer. Do not freeze, as the texture will suffer.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: Southern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 28
- Sodium: 180
- Fat: 15
- Saturated Fat: 8
- Carbohydrates: 42
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 5
Keywords: banana pudding, southern dessert, vanilla wafers, custard, make-ahead dessert, comfort food, homemade pudding