Recipe: Southern Banana Pudding

AuthorMarla Meridith
DifficultyIntermediate

Southern Banana Pudding recipe. What makes this dessert so extra special is the rich and creamy homemade vanilla pudding layered with vanilla wafers and sliced bananas. Thats all topped off with pillows of meringue.

The Best Southern Banana Pudding recipe, a special dessert! MarlaMeridith.com
Yields1 Serving
Prep Time5 minsCook Time35 minsTotal Time40 mins
vanilla pudding
 3/4 cup granulated sugar
 1/3 cup cornstarch
 4 cups whole milk
 4 large egg yolks
 1 tsp vanilla bean paste
 1/4 teaspoon salt
 2 tbsp unsalted butter
meringue topping
 4 large egg whites
 1/2 cup granulated sugar
 1/4 tsp cream of tartar
 1/2 box vanilla wafers
 3-4 bananas, depending on size
 ground cinnamon or nutmeg for dusting
1

Preheat the broiler with the rack in the middle.

2

Make the pudding: In a saucepan over medium heat, whisk the 3/4 cup sugar, cornstarch, milk, egg yolks together. Stir constantly, until mixture just begins to bubble about 10-15 minutes. Reduce the heat to a simmer and whisk for another minute. Remove from the heat and whisk in the vanilla, salt and butter. Transfer to a bowl to cool.

3

Make the meringue: Simmer 1 inch of water in a saucepan. Place the egg whites, 1/2 cup of sugar and cream of tartar in a heat proof stand mixer bowl. Place this bowl over the simmering water and whisk continuously until the sugar is dissolved and the mixture is hot about 3 minutes. Place the bowl in the stand mixer fitted with the whisk and beat until stiff peaks form about 5-7 minutes.

4

Line an oven safe pie dish or 13x9 inch pan with a layer of vanilla wafers. Place 1/2 banana slices over that. Pour 1/2 of the custard over the cookies and bananas. Layer with more cookies, bananas and pudding. Finally, layer on the meringue with a spatula, spreading with flicks of the wrist to make peaks.

5

Broil for 3-7 minutes until the peaks of the meringue are a nice golden brown. Dust with cinnamon or nutmeg if desired. Ready to serve at any temperature.

Ingredients

vanilla pudding
 3/4 cup granulated sugar
 1/3 cup cornstarch
 4 cups whole milk
 4 large egg yolks
 1 tsp vanilla bean paste
 1/4 teaspoon salt
 2 tbsp unsalted butter
meringue topping
 4 large egg whites
 1/2 cup granulated sugar
 1/4 tsp cream of tartar
 1/2 box vanilla wafers
 3-4 bananas, depending on size
 ground cinnamon or nutmeg for dusting

Directions

1

Preheat the broiler with the rack in the middle.

2

Make the pudding: In a saucepan over medium heat, whisk the 3/4 cup sugar, cornstarch, milk, egg yolks together. Stir constantly, until mixture just begins to bubble about 10-15 minutes. Reduce the heat to a simmer and whisk for another minute. Remove from the heat and whisk in the vanilla, salt and butter. Transfer to a bowl to cool.

3

Make the meringue: Simmer 1 inch of water in a saucepan. Place the egg whites, 1/2 cup of sugar and cream of tartar in a heat proof stand mixer bowl. Place this bowl over the simmering water and whisk continuously until the sugar is dissolved and the mixture is hot about 3 minutes. Place the bowl in the stand mixer fitted with the whisk and beat until stiff peaks form about 5-7 minutes.

4

Line an oven safe pie dish or 13x9 inch pan with a layer of vanilla wafers. Place 1/2 banana slices over that. Pour 1/2 of the custard over the cookies and bananas. Layer with more cookies, bananas and pudding. Finally, layer on the meringue with a spatula, spreading with flicks of the wrist to make peaks.

5

Broil for 3-7 minutes until the peaks of the meringue are a nice golden brown. Dust with cinnamon or nutmeg if desired. Ready to serve at any temperature.

Notes

Recipe: Southern Banana Pudding

~ Marla Meridith

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