Delicious Homemade Banana Pudding with Vanilla Wafers – Step-by-Step Recipe

Welcome to your go-to guide for making a delicious banana pudding with vanilla wafers from scratch. If you’re a fan of this classic Southern dessert, you’re in for a treat! In this article, we’ll walk you through a simple yet mouthwatering recipe that will have you savoring every creamy, banana-infused bite. So grab your apron and let’s get cooking!

There’s something comforting about the combination of ripe bananas, smooth custard, and crunchy vanilla wafers. With our from-scratch recipe, you’ll be able to recreate this beloved dessert in your own kitchen. No need for store-bought pudding mix or pre-packaged cookies – we’re going to make everything from scratch for that extra homemade touch. Get ready to impress your family and friends with this delightful banana pudding!

Ingredients

To make a delicious banana pudding with vanilla wafers from scratch, you’ll need the following ingredients:

• Ripe bananas: Choose bananas that are fully ripe, with a vibrant yellow color and no green spots. The sweetness and flavor of ripe bananas are essential for a tasty pudding.
• Vanilla wafers: These crispy, vanilla-flavored cookies add a delightful crunch to the pudding. You can either buy them from the store or make your own if you’re feeling adventurous.
• Milk: Whole milk works best for a creamy and rich custard. If you prefer a lighter version, you can use low-fat milk, but the texture might be slightly different.
• Sugar: A bit of sweetness is necessary to balance the flavors of the bananas and the custard. You can adjust the amount of sugar according to your preference.
• Eggs: The custard base of the pudding is made from eggs. They add richness and a smooth texture to the dessert.
• Cornstarch: This ingredient helps thicken the custard and gives it a silky texture. It’s an important component in achieving the perfect consistency for your pudding.
• Vanilla extract: A splash of vanilla extract enhances the flavor of the custard and complements the bananas and wafers.
• Salt: A pinch of salt might seem like a small detail, but it actually helps to enhance the overall taste and balance the sweetness of the pudding.

Now that you have gathered all the necessary ingredients, let’s move on to the next section: “Instructions.”

Step 1: Making the Vanilla Wafers

Banana pudding with vanilla wafers is a classic Southern dessert that is loved by many. While you can easily buy pre-made vanilla wafers from the store, there’s something special about making them from scratch. In this step, I’ll guide you through the process of making your own delicious vanilla wafers for the perfect banana pudding.

1. Gather your ingredients

To start, you’ll need the following ingredients for the vanilla wafers:

• 1 ½ cups of all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon of baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon of salt
• ½ cup of unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup of granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract

2. Preheat your oven

Before you begin mixing the ingredients, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This will ensure that it’s ready when you’re done preparing the dough.

3. Mix the dry ingredients

In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. This will help distribute the leavening agents evenly throughout the dough, resulting in a more uniform texture.

4. Cream the butter and sugar

In a separate large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. This can be done using a hand mixer or a stand mixer. The creaming process incorporates air into the mixture, giving the wafers a tender texture.

5. Add the egg and vanilla extract

Once the butter and sugar are well combined, add in the egg and vanilla extract. Mix until everything is fully incorporated. The egg acts as a binding agent, while the vanilla extract adds a delightful flavor to the wafers.

6. Gradually add the dry ingredients

With your mixer on low speed, gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Mix until just combined. Overmixing can result in tough wafers, so be careful not to overdo it.

7. Shape and bake the wafers

Using a teaspoon or a cookie scoop, drop rounded portions of dough onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Make sure to leave enough space between each portion, as the cookies will spread while baking. Flatten each portion slightly with the back of a spoon.

Bake the wafers in the preheated oven for about

Step 2: Making the Pudding Mixture

Now that you have your homemade vanilla wafers ready, it’s time to move on to the next step: making the delicious pudding mixture for your banana pudding. This creamy and luscious mixture is what gives the dessert its signature flavor and texture.

To make the pudding, you’ll need a few key ingredients: milk, sugar, eggs, cornstarch, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. These ingredients work together to create a velvety smooth and sweet custard-like filling that will perfectly complement the bananas and vanilla wafers.

To start, you’ll want to heat up the milk in a saucepan over medium heat. While the milk is warming up, whisk together the sugar, cornstarch, and salt in a separate bowl. This helps to ensure that the dry ingredients are evenly distributed and prevent any clumps from forming in the pudding.

Next, you’ll want to whisk the eggs into the dry ingredient mixture. This helps to thicken the pudding and give it a rich and creamy consistency. It’s important to whisk the eggs in gradually and continuously to avoid any lumps or scrambled eggs in your pudding.

Once the milk is hot but not boiling, slowly pour it into the egg mixture while whisking constantly. This technique, called tempering, helps to gradually raise the temperature of the eggs without curdling them. It’s important to keep whisking throughout this process to ensure a smooth and lump-free pudding.

Once all the milk is incorporated, pour the mixture back into the saucepan and return it to the heat. Cook the pudding over medium heat, stirring constantly, until it thickens and coats the back of a spoon. This usually takes about 5-7 minutes.

Finally, remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract. The vanilla extract adds a wonderful aroma and flavor to the pudding, enhancing the overall taste of the dessert.

Now that your pudding mixture is ready, it’s time to assemble the layers of your banana pudding. But before we move on to that, let’s take a moment to appreciate the effort and love you’ve put into making this delicious homemade dessert. You’re doing a fantastic job! So, let’s keep going and bring this banana pudding to life.

Step 3: Assembling the Pudding

Now that you have made your own vanilla wafers from scratch and prepared the delicious pudding mixture, it’s time to bring everything together and assemble your banana pudding. Get ready to indulge in a heavenly dessert that will leave you craving for more!

Here’s how you can assemble the pudding:

1. Layer the vanilla wafers: Take a deep serving dish or individual dessert cups and start by placing a layer of the homemade vanilla wafers at the bottom. Make sure the wafers are evenly spread and cover the entire surface.
2. Add sliced bananas: Slice some ripe bananas into thin rounds and layer them on top of the vanilla wafers. The natural sweetness and creaminess of the bananas will complement the flavors of the pudding perfectly.
3. Pour the pudding mixture: Now, it’s time to pour the prepared pudding mixture over the wafers and bananas. Slowly and evenly distribute the mixture, ensuring that it covers the entire surface and seeps into the layers below.
4. Repeat the layers: Repeat the layering process by adding another layer of vanilla wafers, followed by sliced bananas, and then pouring more of the pudding mixture. You can create as many layers as you prefer, but make sure to end with a final layer of pudding on top.
5. Refrigerate and chill: Once you have assembled the layers, cover the dish or cups with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight. This chilling time allows the flavors to meld together and the wafers to soften, resulting in a luscious and creamy texture.
6. Garnish and serve: Just before serving, you can garnish your banana pudding with a sprinkle of crushed vanilla wafers or a dollop of whipped cream. This adds an extra touch of sweetness and a delightful crunch to the dessert. Serve chilled and enjoy!

Step 4: Chilling and Serving

Once you have assembled your delicious homemade banana pudding with vanilla wafers, it’s time to chill it and get ready to savor the delightful flavors. Here’s what you need to do:

1. Refrigerate: Carefully place your completed banana pudding in the refrigerator. It’s important to allow the pudding to chill for at least 4 hours or, even better, overnight. This time is crucial as it allows the flavors to meld together and the wafers to soften, creating a truly scrumptious dessert.
2. Garnish: Before serving, you have the option to add a little extra flair to your banana pudding. One popular garnish option is to sprinkle some crushed vanilla wafers on top. This adds a delightful crunch and enhances the overall presentation. Another option is to add a dollop of whipped cream, which adds a creamy and indulgent touch.
3. Serve: After the chilling time is up, it’s finally time to enjoy your homemade banana pudding. Grab some dessert bowls or plates and carefully spoon out generous portions of the pudding. Be sure to include layers of the vanilla wafers and sliced bananas in each serving. The combination of creamy pudding, sweet bananas, and crispy wafers is simply irresistible.
4. Storage: If you happen to have any leftovers (which is rare because this pudding is so delicious!), make sure to store them properly. Transfer the remaining pudding to an airtight container and place it back in the refrigerator. It can be enjoyed for up to 2-3 days, but trust me, it won’t last that long!

Conclusion

Now that you have all the necessary information, you are ready to create a delicious banana pudding with vanilla wafers from scratch. By following the step-by-step guide provided in this article, you can recreate the classic Southern dessert using homemade ingredients.

Start by making the vanilla wafers from scratch, ensuring that you gather all the necessary ingredients and follow the detailed instructions for mixing, shaping, and baking the wafers. Once the wafers are ready, move on to making the pudding mixture by heating up the milk and whisking together the other ingredients. After the mixture has thickened, stir in the vanilla extract.

The final step is assembling the pudding by layering the homemade vanilla wafers, sliced bananas, and the prepared pudding mixture. Remember to refrigerate the assembled pudding for at least 4 hours or overnight to allow the flavors to meld together and the wafers to soften.

When you are ready to serve, feel free to garnish the chilled pudding with crushed vanilla wafers or whipped cream for an extra touch of flavor and presentation. Enjoy this homemade banana pudding with vanilla wafers as a delightful and comforting dessert that will surely impress your friends and family.

Go ahead and put your culinary skills to the test. Have fun creating this delicious treat and savor every bite of your homemade banana pudding with vanilla wafers!