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Old Fashioned Homemade Banana Pudding

Old-Fashioned Banana Pudding

Nothing brings back sweet memories quite like a creamy, old-fashioned homemade banana pudding. This comforting classic layers silky custard, fresh bananas, and tender vanilla wafers for a timeless dessert everyone loves.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Chilling Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 35 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 8 people
Calories 270 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 Saucepan
  • 1 Whisk
  • 1 Mixing Bowl
  • 1 Serving dish

Ingredients
  

For the Pudding

  • 2 cups whole milk or creamy milk alternative
  • 0.5 cup sugar
  • 3 egg yolks
  • 3 tbsp cornstarch for thickening
  • 2 tbsp butter for richness
  • 1 tsp alcohol-free vanilla extract
  • 1 pinch salt

For Assembly

  • 3 ripe bananas sliced
  • 1 box vanilla wafers or plain cookies, about 50-60 cookies

Instructions
 

Prepare the Custard

  • In a saucepan, whisk together sugar, cornstarch, and a pinch of salt. Stir in milk and egg yolks. Cook gently over medium heat, stirring constantly, until thickened and silky. Remove from heat, then stir in butter and vanilla extract.

Layer and Assemble

  • In your serving dish, add a layer of vanilla wafers, followed by a layer of banana slices. Pour some warm custard over the top. Repeat the layers, ending with custard.

Chill and Serve

  • Let your pudding cool to room temperature, then cover and chill for several hours until set. Serve cold for best flavor and texture.

Notes

  • Use ripe, spotty bananas for maximum flavor.
  • Keep stirring the custard to avoid lumps.
  • Let the pudding chill thoroughly for the best texture.
  • For variations, add whipped cream, toasted coconut, nuts, or a hint of cinnamon or nutmeg as toppings.
  • Store leftovers covered in the fridge for up to 3 days. Assemble just a few hours before serving for perfect texture.