Homemade Banana Pudding!!!

There’s nothing quite like the creamy, dreamy comfort of homemade banana pudding. It’s a dessert that brings together the richness of vanilla custard, the sweetness of ripe bananas, and the crunch of classic vanilla wafers. Making it from scratch may seem intimidating, but with the right steps, you can create a luscious dessert that’s better than any store-bought version. Here’s a step-by-step guide to crafting the ultimate homemade banana pudding.

Ingredients

For this recipe, you’ll need:

Pudding:

3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
Pinch of salt
3 cups whole milk
3 large eggs, separated
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
2 tablespoons unsalted butter

Layers:

4–5 ripe bananas, sliced
1 box (about 11 oz) vanilla wafers

Optional topping:

Whipped cream (freshly whipped is best)

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prepare the Pudding Base

In a medium saucepan, whisk together the sugar, flour, and salt.
Slowly add the milk, whisking constantly to prevent lumps.
Place the saucepan over medium heat and cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens and begins to bubble gently. This usually takes about 7–10 minutes.
In a small bowl, lightly beat the egg yolks. Temper them by slowly whisking in about 1/2 cup of the hot milk mixture. This prevents the eggs from curdling.
Pour the tempered eggs back into the saucepan and continue cooking for 2–3 minutes until the pudding is thick and silky.
Remove from heat, stir in butter and vanilla extract until fully incorporated. Set aside.