Classic Fluffy Banana Pudding Recipes

BANANA PUDDING IV

Steps:

• In a large bowl, beat cream cheese until fluffy. Beat in condensed milk, pudding mix, cold milk and vanilla until smooth. Fold in 1/2 of the whipped topping.
• Line the bottom of a 9x13 inch dish with vanilla wafers. Arrange sliced bananas evenly over wafers. Spread with pudding mixture. Top with remaining whipped topping. Chill.

SOUTHERN BANANA PUDDING

Steps:

• In a small mixing bowl, whisk together sugar, cornstarch, and salt.
• Add ½ cup milk and egg yolks, and whisk until combined. Set aside.
• In a large saucepan over medium eat, heat 2½ cups milk until steaming.
• Whisk about a cup of the steaming milk into the egg yolk mixture, adding only a couple tablespoons at a time, until the full cup is combined.
• Pour tempered yolk mixture into the skillet with the remaining hot milk, whisking to combine.
• Cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, until mixture comes to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, and cook until thickened, about 3-4 minutes.
• Remove from heat. Whisk in butter and 1½ teaspoons vanilla extract. Set aside.
• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Assemble: Arrange the vanilla wafers in a layer in the bottom of a 9"x13" baking dish. Arrange the sliced bananas on top of the cookies. Pour the pudding on top of bananas and spread evenly, all the way to the edges, completely covering the bananas. Set aside.
• In a large mixing bowl, beat egg whites with cream of tartar until frothy.
• Add in sugar and beat until meringue makes stiff peaks and turns glossy. Beat in remaining ½ teaspoon vanilla.
• Spread meringue on top of banana pudding, making peaks with the back of a spoon. Bake for 12-15 minutes until peaks have slightly browned and meringue is set on top.

CLASSIC FLUFFY BANANA PUDDING

Steps:

• 1. Combine sweetened condensed milk and cold water in large mixing bowl, add dry pudding mix and beat on medium speed for 3 mins or until smooth and then chill for a few mins.
• 2. Whip heavy cream into stiff peaks and then fold cream into pudding mixture.
• 3. In a large glass bowl, spread 1/2 cup of pudding on bottom of dish (or enough to cover the bottom)and top with a layer of vanilla wafers, followed by layer of bananas and then a pretty thick layer of pudding. Continue with layers, finishing with pudding on top. To crush wafers for the topping, I used a large zip lock bag and crush enough to cover top of pudding and your desired thickness of crushed wafers. Chill for 5 hrs and enjoy!

CARAMELIZED BANANA PUDDING

Steps:

• Place the butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon in a large skillet over medium heat. Constantly stir as the butter and sugar melt down. Add the bananas and cook until softened and slightly caramelized, about 3 minutes. *If you prefer a little more texture in your banana pudding, only cook the bananas for about 1-2 minutes.* Remove from heat and set aside.
• Combine the milk, heavy cream, sugar, and salt in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Whisk until all the sugar has dissolved, then bring to a gentle simmer, whisking occasionally. Working quickly as the milk mixture begins to simmer, whisk the egg yolks and cornstarch together in a medium heatproof bowl until very thick and smooth. Very slowly stream in about 3/4 cup (180ml) of the simmering milk to slightly warm the egg yolk mixture. Then, in a very slow stream, whisk the egg yolk mixture into the pan. While continuously whisking, cook until the mixture is thick and big bubbles begin bursting at the surface, about 1 minute. Remove the pan from heat and whisk in the vanilla extract and butter. Makes about 4 cups of pudding.
• Use an ungreased 9-inch or any 2.5 quart baking dish. Line half of the vanilla wafers on the bottom. Evenly top with half of the caramelized bananas. Give the pudding a quick stir. If it has thickened considerably and isn't pourable, whisk in a splash of milk to help thin out. Pour half of the warm pudding on top. Use a spoon to evenly spread around. Evenly top with remaining vanilla wafers, then the remaining caramelized bananas. Pour the rest of the pudding on top and spread into an even layer. Set aside, covered or uncovered, at room temperature or in the refrigerator as you make the whipped cream.
• Using a hand mixer or a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, whip the heavy cream, confectioners' sugar, vanilla extract, and cinnamon on medium-high speed until medium peaks form, about 3-4 minutes. Medium peaks are between soft/loose peaks and stiff peaks. Spread evenly on top of the pudding.
• Cover the pudding tightly and refrigerate for at least 4 hours and up to 24 hours. The vanilla wafers will soften during this time. They may taste too soggy after 1 full day and the bananas will begin to release some liquid, so for best taste and texture, serve within 24 hours.
• To serve, spoon into individual bowls. Cover and store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. I don't recommend freezing this because of the high volume of liquid in the pudding, whipped cream, and bananas. The caramelized bananas won't thaw very nicely either.

GRANDMA'S BANANA PUDDING

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Line the bottom of a baking dish with some wafers. Combine sugar, flour, and salt in a bowl.
• Beat yolks in a heavy saucepan over medium heat. Add flour mixture alternately with milk and vanilla extract, stirring constantly. Bring to a simmer and cook until slightly thickened, 8 to 10 minutes. Add butter; continue stirring until thickened to a pudding-like consistency, 5 to 7 minutes more.
• Layer a portion of banana slices over the wafers and cover with pudding. Repeat layers with remaining bananas, wafers, and pudding.
• Beat egg whites in a glass, metal, or ceramic bowl, gradually adding cream of tartar, until soft peaks form. Add sugar and continue beating on high speed until stiff peaks form. Fold in vanilla extract. Spoon meringue over the pudding.
• Bake in the preheated oven until meringue browns, 15 to 20 minutes. Let cool before serving.