Old Fashioned Banana Pudding

Course Dessert

Cuisine American, Southern

Keyword best-banana-pudding-recipe, old-fashioned-banana-pudding

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 20

Chill Time 4

Total Time 4 40

Servings servings

Calories 384kcal

Author Melissa Sperka

In a medium-size mixing bowl, whisk together the evaporated milk, granulated sugar, flour and salt until dissolved.
On the stove top in a heavy bottomed saucepan over medium-high, warm the evaporated milk mixture.
In the same mixing bowl, whisk the egg yolks with the half and half. Whisk into the warmed evaporated milk mixture.
Cook stirring constantly for 10-15 minutes over medium heat until the flour has cooked and the custard has thickened. Once thickened remove from the heat and whisk in 2 Tbsp butter and 1 Tbsp of pure vanilla. Stir to combine, then set aside.
Layer the bottom of an 11x7-inch oven safe dish with vanilla wafers. Top with banana slices. Cover with 1/2 of the vanilla pudding custard. Repeat layers ending with pudding.
Whip the 6 reserved egg whites with the vanilla extract and cream of tarter. Gradually beat in the granulated sugar.
Whip for 3-5 minutes or until stiff peaks form. Spread the meringue on top of the banana pudding.
Set the oven temperature to broil. Place the banana pudding into the oven and bake to toast the meringue until lightly golden brown. Rotate the dish as needed for even browning.
Garnish the edge with vanilla wafers, if desired.
Store tightly covered chilled in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Vanilla Wafers: You could use sugar cookies or shortbread cookies in place of vanilla wafer. Pepperidge Farm Chessmen Cookies are a popular alternative.

Lemon Juice: If you're concerned about oxidation and browning of the bananas, you can toss the banana slices with a small amount of fresh lemon juice prior to assembling.

Whipped Cream: Old fashioned banana pudding is typically covered with meringue as seen in this recipe. You may opt to use Cool Whip or fresh whipped cream, instead.

Trifle Bowl: You can layer this banana pudding recipe in a trifle bowl, too. In order to have enough, double the ingredients depending on the size of the bowl.