Homemade Banana Pudding

There's nothing like a good banana pudding. I love many desserts, but mmmmm, banana pudding, with those Nilla wafers? To die for!

Now, of course you can make the pudding with the instant stuff. There's absolutely nothing wrong with that, and it's delicious. But there's nothing like creating your own custard, seeing it form and set right in front of your eyes, and the taste? There's definitely a difference!

Banana pudding is one of my husband's favorite desserts. Every big holiday he requests it, and a few years ago I was determined to make it from scratch. I searched so many recipes. I picked and pulled various recipes and techniques, and thought I would get creative and make my own variation without first trying some of these recipes.  The result? A wonderful tasting, banana pudding flavored soup with bananas and wafers floating in it. It was NOT a success.
I look back now and laugh. I was determined to get it right, and I finally did! This recipe has been declared a winner by my family, and my husband loves me just a little more now that I can make his favorite!



Ingredients:

• 2 cups milk, either 2% or whole milk
• 2/3 cups white granulated sugar
• 3 tablespoons cornstarch
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 large egg
• 1 egg yolk
• 2 tablespoons butter or margarine
• 3 large bananas
• Nilla Wafers
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• 3 tablespoons powdered sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:

Start by preparing your serving dish with a light spray. I use a trifle bowl.

In a medium saucepan combine the milk, sugar, cornstarch, salt, egg, and egg yolk.

Whisk them until well combined and then place the pan over medium heat.

While it's cooking away, you have to whisk it pretty constantly so it doesn't burn or curdle.

Just when it starts forming and getting thick, remove it from the heat.
Otherwise it will continue to thicken and will be deemed too rich.
You want a nice, light custard of a pudding.

Now add your butter and vanilla extract.
Continue to whisk until the butter has melted.

Now pour the pudding through a mesh strainer over a bowl.
This will insure no chunky pieces, just a nice and smooth pudding.
Place the bowl in the refrigerator and chill for a few moments while you build the bananas and wafers.

Slice the bananas in thin slices about 1/8 inch thick and layer on the bottom of your dish.
Since I use a glass dish, I try to make the sides pretty with layers of wafers and bananas too.

Now spoon out your first layer of pudding. Spread the pudding to the edges.

Now, for the second layer of wafers and bananas.

Spoon in your final layer of pudding, then top with the last layer of wafers and bananas.
Cover with wrap and refrigerate for about 4 hours to set.

Just before you're ready to serve, you can start make your whipped cream.
In a large bowl combine the milk, powdered sugar and vanilla extract.

Mix at a medium to high speed for a few minutes.

Right when you start seeing it thicken up and form peaks, it's ready!

Yumm! There is NOTHING like homemade whipped cream!

Now spread your whipped cream over the top of your pudding.

Garnish with crushed and whole wafers.

The proof is in the pudding! This one's a winner! Enjoy!

Disclosure: This is not a sponsored post. All thoughts are my own.