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Old Fashioned Banana Pudding Trifle With Vanilla Wafers

Banana Pudding Trifle

This old-fashioned banana pudding trifle is one of those desserts that feels instantly familiar. Layers of creamy pudding, fresh bananas, and crisp vanilla wafers come together in a dish that is simple, comforting, and perfect for sharing.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Chilling Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 35 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 8 people

Equipment

  • 1 Saucepan
  • 1 Whisk
  • 1 Trifle dish or large glass bowl

Ingredients
  

  • 4 cups whole milk
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • ⅓ cup cornstarch
  • 6 large egg yolks
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 2 teaspoons alcohol-free vanilla
  • 6 bananas ripe but still firm, sliced
  • 1 box vanilla wafers
  • 2 cups whipped cream

Instructions
 

  • Warm the milk and cream in a saucepan until steaming, but not boiling. In a separate bowl, whisk the sugar, cornstarch, and egg yolks until smooth, then slowly whisk in a little of the warm milk mixture to temper the eggs.
  • Pour the tempered mixture back into the saucepan and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the pudding thickens. Remove from the heat and stir in the butter and alcohol-free vanilla until glossy and smooth.
  • Let the pudding cool slightly, then begin layering in a trifle dish or large glass bowl. Start with vanilla wafers, then add banana slices, followed by a generous layer of pudding. Repeat the layers until the dish is full.
  • Top the trifle with whipped cream and a few extra wafer pieces if you like. Cover and chill for several hours so the cookies soften and the flavors come together.

Notes

Use bananas that are ripe with a few brown speckles, but not overly soft. They will taste sweeter and hold their shape better.
Stir the pudding constantly while it cooks so it stays smooth and does not scorch on the bottom of the pan.
For the best texture, assemble the trifle a few hours before serving rather than too far in advance. This gives the wafers time to soften without becoming mushy.