When it comes to desserts this Southern Banana Pudding is a classic and easy recipe that is completely homemade, feeds a crowd and is super addicting!
Want to know what holds the key to my heart? This Banana Pudding! There is something about banana desserts that has always just drew me in and I’ve fallen in love with.
There are so many variations of banana pudding from ones that are made with boxed pudding mixes, etc. This recipe is made with homemade vanilla pudding that is layered with sliced bananas and vanilla wafers.
I have been making this recipe for SO MANY YEARS and has always been the only way that I have ever made it and the way that I continue to make it because you guys, it just is just that darn good.
WHAT INGREDIENTS DO YOU NEED?
- Milk
- Eggs
- Egg yolks
- Cornstarch
- Sugar
- Vanilla
- Butter
- Bananas
- Whipped topping
- Vanilla wafers
I first published this recipe back in 2015 and it was in serious need of an update and any chance that I can make this homemade banana pudding you really don’t have to ask me twice.
My middle son has chose this as his most favorite dessert that I make, he is like me, a banana lover. Some people ask if this will have that true banana flavor because it’s not made with banana pudding itself.
The answer to that questions is 100x yes. The layers of the banana with the vanilla pudding really enhances the banana flavor itself and does not make this recipe overpowering at all and has just the right balance of flavors.
HOW DO YOU MAKE BANANA PUDDING?
- In sauce pan mix together your milk, sugar, cornstarch, salt, eggs and egg yolks.
- Heat on medium whisking almost constantly until bubbly and thick.
- Remove from heat and stir in your butter and vanilla until butter is melted.
- Cover pan with Saran Wrap making sure that wrap is pressed onto pudding to prevent film from forming and then place in refrigerator and let cool to room temp.
- Once cooled in a 9″x13″ baking dish layer 1/2 box vanilla wafers and then layer with 1 1/2 banana.
- Spoon 1/2 of your pudding mixture over the top and then continue layers one more time. Finish your layers with remaining sliced bananas then top with whipped topping and crushed vanilla wafers.
- Place in fridge at least 2-3 hours before serving.
This recipe is literally great. I always feel so good making it not because it’s homemade but because I’m addcited. I know that I said that already, but it’s the truth.
I could eat this banana pudding recipe all day every day if I had the chance to. Now that probably wouldn’t be good for me, but I’m sure you all know how that goes.
Some other homemade pudding desserts that we love around here include:
- Homemade Dark Chocolate Pudding Pie
- Chocolate Eclair Cake
- Homemade Peanut Butter Pudding
- Coconut Cream Pie
I will tell you a little secret, if you are in a pinch you CAN use boxed vanilla or French vanilla pudding for this recipe. It wouldn’t be homemade which I seriously recommend doing for this recipe.
But sometimes we all get a little busy and you crave this just like I do so if you are in a time crunch and want to do it that way I would make 2 boxes of the pudding according to the package directions.
Now this banana pudding is perfect all year round. It seems that bananas aren’t really one of those seasonal fruits like watermelon or berries so banana recipes are good all the time.
We often bring this to gatherings such as Thanksgiving of Christmas because can you believe it or not I am not the biggest fan of holiday pie recipes, so I love having other options around and I have found out that other people love a variety of desserts just lime myself.
So if you are looking for that perfect homemade banana pudding recipe then this one is just what you need. It makes a huge batch which can easily be cut in half and everyone adores it!
If you like this recipe you might also like:
Southern Banana Pudding
Ingredients
- 4 cups milk
- 1 1/3 cup sugar
- 6 Tbs cornstarch
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 eggs
- 2 egg yolks
- 4 Tbs butter
- 4 tsp vanilla extract
- 4 large bananas sliced
- 1 container whipped topping or homemade
- 1 large box vanilla wafers reserve 1/2 cup crushed wafers for topping
Instructions
- In sauce pan mix together your milk, sugar, cornstarch, salt, egg and egg yolk.
- Heat on medium whisking almost continuously until bubbly and thick.
- Remove from heat and stir in your butter and vanilla until butter is melted.
- Cover with Saran Wrap pressing the wrap onto top of pudding to prevent film from forming and place in refrigerator and let cool to room temp.
- Once cooled in a 9"x13" baking dish layer 1/2 box of vanilla wafers and then layer with 1 1/2 of your bananas.
- Spoon 1/2 of your pudding mixture over the top then continue layers one more time. Finish your layers with sliced bananas then top with whipped topping and crushed vanilla wafers.
- Place in fridge at least 2-3 hours before serving.
Nutrition
Tornadough Alli is not a nutritionist or dietitian, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and nutritional value is important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and values can vary depending on which brands were used.
PIN IT FOR LATER!
Ashley
I made this a few days ago and am OBSESSED!! Easily the best and so simple! The whole fam loved it. Thank you!!
Theresa
Why wouldn’t you use banana extract instead of vanilla, is there a reason?
Tornadough Alli
The banana extract is not needed I this recipe, the banana really stand out on there own. You could use it if you like, but when we do homemade version and not using the banana pudding we don’t add any extra banana. I would say make it with and without the banana extract and see what you prefer.
Ashley
Does this usually fair well being made the night before, and placed in the fridge overnight? Iโm just concerned about the bananas getting too brown. I love seeing all the positive reviews it makes me really excited to make this for tomorrow!
Melanie
I made this for a teacher luncheon at my daughterโs school and everyone loved it! One of the teachers told me it was the best banana pudding they had ever eaten!
Tornadough Alli
This is so amazing to hear Melanie! I appreciate you coming and commenting and letting me know how it turned out. This has to be one of my favorite recipes ever and since it’s homemade it’s even better!
Shon
When you say egg and egg yolk…explain please
Tornadough Alli
Egg means whole eggs (yolk and white) and egg yolk is the just the egg yolk separated from the white.
Candi
I have a corn allergy so I canโt use corn starch is there anything that I could sub?
Tornadough Alli
So in doing some research it looks like arrowroot works, the equivalent to cornstarch is different as about 2 tsp equals 1 Tbs of cornstarch, also flour and tapioca work too.
Jane
All I can say is……Holy Crap this is good! This is the first time I’ve tried making this with home-made pudding. I’ve made it in the past with the packaged instant pudding and was never happy – the next day the pudding would start to “weep”. I will be honest and admit I was muttering under my breath as to how long it took to cook the pudding but it was totally worth it!! This pan won’t last long and I know for sure I will be making this again!
Karen
It didnt thicken, I’m disappointed!
Tornadough Alli
That’s really weird that it didn’t thicken, I’ve made this a million times and never had that issue. I would suggest probably heating it longer and continue to stir while doing so. Sorry you had issues.
Alison Brunk
What kind of whipped topping do you use?
Tornadough Alli
We use off brand great value from Walmart, but you can use Cool Whip if you like.
Alison Brunk
This is a hefty question! But I am making this dessert for Fathers Day this weekend and need to take it in the car with me for 2 hours tomorrow morning. I have a cold carrier and ice packs for the ride, but just wondering the best plan of attack. Do you recommend me making the pudding tonight and letting it sit in the fridge, then assembling it in the morning? Or should i assemble the whole thing tonight and leave it in the fridge overnight? Just don’t want the bananas inside to get brown by tomorrow
Tornadough Alli
Hey Alison, I think I would assemble in the morning for best results. Although the banana bananas dont get super browned, I think it would be better the more fresher you make it, so chill the pudding first then assemble before travel.
Beth
Made this last night at a friendโs house and the pan was LICKED CLEAN. We all recently moved from FL to NY and this was like a little piece of home. Thank you, thank you!
Tornadough Alli
That makes me so happy, I could literally eat this whole pan by myself, I’m completely addicted.
Megan
Has anyone tried to make this with almond milk? And weโre you successful? ๐
Holly
I just made it with almond milk and Iโm in love ๐
Tornadough Alli
Yay! I’m so happy it worked for you with almond milk! I’m 100% trying that for sure.
Jamielyn
This looks incredible! So creamy and delicious. Banana pudding is one of my favorites!
Allyson Reed Zea
This is like my all time favorite dessert recipe! total classic and totally delicious!
Rachael Yerkes
Best dessert! We make sure to have this at all the family parties and it always gets wiped clean!
Amy Locurto
We love banana pudding, so I can’t wait to try your recipe!
Carolyn
Hello delicious gooeyness! What a fun dessert to dig into!
Christine | Mid-Life Croissant
I’ve never made my own pudding! My kids would absolutely love this. So glad to hear everyone is feeling better and you were spared. It’s not good when mom goes down for the count. Not good at all. Thanks for linking up to #SaucySaturdays.
Tornadough Alli
Thanks dear luckily this mama was spared. I never used to make my own until I realized how unbelievably easy it is. My 8 yo absolutely adores this pudding.
Jennifer Stewart
From scratch is best! I make this all the time for church but have to use the powdered stuff because making it for 100 is not easy. But if I could I would make from scratch all the time:)
Tornadough Alli
Oh I’m sure. Powder is so much easier and tastes greats too. But nothing beats the good old from scratch!
Haley
I love old fashion banana pudding! Haley from http://haleysvintage.com
Tornadough Alli
I do too!! Thanks for stopping by!
Michelle @ A Dish of Daily Life
Sounds like great comfort food to me! I bet my kids will love this! Thanks for sharing it with us at #FoodieFriDIY!