Delicious Banana Pudding
Creamy banana pudding layered with vanilla wafers and ripe bananas, topped with meringue, offering a rich, sweet treat perfect for gatherings and dessert lovers alike.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Melt butter in the top of a double boiler.
- Stir in brown sugar, flour, and salt.
- Gradually stir in evaporated milk and water.
- Cook until thickened, stirring constantly, about 15-20 minutes.
- Beat egg yolks until thick and lemon colored.
- Stir some of the hot mixture into the yolks; then add the remaining hot mixture, stirring constantly.
- Cook for 2 minutes longer or until thickened.
- Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract.
- Cool the pudding mixture.
- Lightly grease a 1-3/4 quart casserole dish.
- Line the bottom and sides with vanilla wafers.
- Slice bananas to cover the wafers, then repeat layers.
- Pour the pudding mixture over the layered wafers and bananas.
- Beat egg whites until soft peaks form.
- Gradually add 2 tablespoons sugar to the egg whites.
- Beat until stiff peaks form.
- Cover the pudding with the egg whites.
- Place in a 425°F oven for 5 minutes or until delicately brown.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider using dark brown sugar instead of light brown. If you're out of evaporated milk, you can substitute it with a mixture of regular milk and cream in equal parts. Use fresh bananas for the best taste, and try adding a sprinkle of cinnamon for extra warmth. If you prefer a lighter version, consider making a meringue topping instead of the traditional egg whites.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the banana pudding chilled, garnished with additional banana slices or a sprinkle of crushed vanilla wafers on top. It pairs beautifully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a delightful dessert experience. This classic dessert is perfect for family gatherings and can be a hit alongside other American recipes like Chocolate 4-Layer Dessert.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftover banana pudding in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place individual servings in the microwave for about 20-30 seconds until warmed through. If the meringue becomes soggy, you can always whip up a fresh batch to top it again.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Delicious Banana Pudding contains roughly 644 calories, with 3g protein, 52g carbohydrates, and 45g fat. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1057mg per serving (46% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use different types of milk in this recipe?
Yes, you can use whole milk or a combination of milk and cream if you don't have evaporated milk. This will give a similar creamy texture, although evaporated milk offers a unique richness that is hard to replicate.
How can I prevent the bananas from browning?
To prevent bananas from browning, you can toss them in a bit of lemon juice before layering them in the dish. This will help maintain their freshness and color, making your banana pudding look more appealing.
Is it necessary to use meringue on top?
While the meringue adds a beautiful finish and texture to the pudding, it is not strictly necessary. You can skip it and simply serve the pudding as is, or top it with whipped cream for a simpler alternative.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).