Old Fashioned Banana Pudding
Old Fashioned Banana Pudding is a nostalgic, rich, and creamy dessert combining layers of ripe bananas, smooth vanilla custard or pudding, and crunchy vanilla wafers. This classic treat features perfectly balanced sweetness and texture, making it a beloved favorite for family gatherings or a comforting homemade indulgence.
- Author: Lina
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes (if making custard from scratch)
- Total Time: 4 hours 25 minutes (including chilling time)
- Yield: 8-10 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-bake, layering
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Fruits
- 3–4 ripe but firm bananas
Base
- 3.4 oz instant vanilla pudding powder or homemade vanilla custard (made with egg yolks, sugar, milk, and vanilla)
- 2 cups milk (for pudding or custard preparation)
- 2–3 tablespoons sugar (optional, adjust based on sweetness preference and banana ripeness)
- 3 large egg yolks (optional, for homemade custard)
Crunchy Layer
- About 45–50 vanilla wafers
Topping
- 1 to 1 ½ cups freshly whipped cream or store-bought whipped topping
- Prepare the Pudding: Start by preparing a smooth vanilla pudding or custard base, either by cooking a mix from scratch using egg yolks, sugar, milk, and vanilla or by whisking instant vanilla pudding powder with cold milk until it thickens.
- Slice the Bananas: Peel and slice ripe bananas into even rounds to ensure each layer delivers consistent flavor and texture throughout the dessert.
- Assemble the Layers: In a serving dish, layer vanilla wafers, banana slices, and a generous scoop of pudding, repeating until the dish is full and ends with a pudding layer on top.
- Top with Whipped Cream: Spread a smooth layer of freshly whipped cream or store-bought topping over the final pudding layer to add lightness and prevent the pudding from drying out in the fridge.
- Chill and Serve: Chill the dessert in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours or overnight, allowing wafers to soften and flavors to meld perfectly before serving.
Notes
- Choose firm bananas to hold their shape better during layering and chilling.
- Distribute bananas evenly to avoid mushy or dry spots with balanced sweetness.
- Use fresh whipped cream for the best flavor and texture rather than canned toppings.
- Chill the pudding overnight for ideal flavor melding and wafer softening.
- Stir pudding gently to keep it creamy and avoid incorporating air bubbles.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
Keywords: banana pudding, old fashioned banana pudding, classic dessert, vanilla custard, layered pudding dessert, nostalgic dessert, easy banana pudding