Cozy Southern Banana Pudding Recipe

Growing up, Sunday dinners were never complete without a big dish of creamy banana goodness sitting on the sideboard. My Southern Banana Pudding recipe brings back those cherished memories with every rich, vanilla-scented bite.

You do not need a special occasion to enjoy this comforting classic, just a love for sweet layers and fluffy meringue. I can’t wait to show you how simple it is to create this masterpiece right in your own kitchen.

What Makes This Southern Banana Pudding a Keeper for Years to Come

The combination of warm, homemade custard and crisp wafers creates a texture that is absolutely unforgettable. It is the kind of dessert that feels like a warm hug after a long day.

You will appreciate that this recipe uses simple pantry staples to create something truly spectacular. There is no need for fancy equipment or hard-to-find ingredients to achieve bakery-quality results.

This dish feeds a crowd easily, making it the perfect choice for potlucks and family reunions. Watching everyone go back for seconds is always the highlight of my evening.

If you enjoyed this nostalgic treat, you will want to try my Cozy Blood Orange Marmalade Recipe next, plus the Savory Clementine Viennese Whirls Recipe delivers the same bold flavors. Both recipes share the same simple approach that makes weeknight cooking stress-free.

Everything You Need for Perfect Southern Banana Pudding

Here are the simple pantry staples required to make this classic dessert:

• Sugar: Sweetens both the rich custard filling and the fluffy meringue topping.
• All-purpose flour: Acts as the thickening agent to give the pudding its sturdy yet creamy consistency.
• 2% milk: Provides the liquid base for the custard, creating a smooth and rich texture.
• Large egg yolks: These add richness and color to the pudding mixture while helping it thicken.
• Butter: Stirred in at the end to give the pudding a glossy finish and silky mouthfeel.
• Vanilla extract: Infuses the entire dish with a warm and aromatic flavor profile.
• Vanilla wafers: The crunchy foundation that softens perfectly as it absorbs the pudding.
• Ripe bananas: Sliced thinly to provide fresh fruit flavor in every single spoonful.
• Large egg whites: Whipped to stiff peaks to create the iconic golden meringue topping.
• Cream of tartar: Stabilizes the egg whites to ensure your meringue stays high and fluffy.

My Method for Southern Banana Pudding

Let’s get baking with these simple steps:

1. Start by preheating your oven to 350°F so it is ready for the meringue step later. In a large saucepan, combine your sugar and flour, then whisk in the milk until the mixture is completely smooth and free of lumps. Cook this over medium-high heat while stirring constantly until it becomes thick and bubbly, then reduce the heat and cook for two more minutes.
2. Remove the pan from the heat and gently stir a small amount of the hot mixture into your beaten egg yolks to temper them. Pour the tempered yolk mixture back into the saucepan and bring it to a gentle boil while stirring constantly. Cook for another two minutes, remove from heat, and stir in the butter and vanilla extract until glossy.
3. Grab an ungreased 8-inch square baking dish to begin assembling your layers. Place one-third of the vanilla wafers on the bottom, followed by one-third of the sliced bananas, and pour one-third of the warm pudding over the top. Repeat this layering process two more times until all ingredients are used.
4. For the meringue, beat the egg whites, vanilla, and cream of tartar on medium speed until soft peaks begin to form. Gradually add the remaining sugar one tablespoon at a time on high speed until stiff, glossy peaks stand up on their own. Spread this fluffy mixture over the hot filling, making sure to seal the edges against the baking dish.
5. Bake the pudding for 12 to 15 minutes until the meringue peaks are beautifully golden brown. Allow the dish to cool on a wire rack for one hour to set. Finally, refrigerate for at least three hours before serving to allow the flavors to meld perfectly.

My Best Tips for Perfect Southern Banana Pudding

To keep your bananas from turning brown before layering, brush them lightly with a bit of lemon juice. This simple trick ensures your Southern Banana Pudding looks as fresh as it tastes.

Make sure your pudding mixture is still hot when you spread the meringue on top. The heat helps cook the bottom of the meringue and prevents it from weeping later.

Tempering the eggs is the most critical step to avoid scrambling them in the hot milk. I always add the hot liquid very slowly while whisking vigorously to keep the Southern Banana Pudding texture smooth.

Best Ways to Enjoy Southern Banana Pudding

I prefer serving this dessert chilled in small glass bowls to show off the beautiful layers. A chilled serving allows the wafers to soften perfectly into the custard for the ideal Southern Banana Pudding texture.

You can pair this sweet treat with a cup of strong coffee to balance the richness. It is also wonderful served alongside fresh berries for a pop of color and tartness.

For more cozy recipes and simple meal ideas, follow me on Pinterest.

Southern Banana Pudding Recipe

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• Author: Amelia Bryan
• Total Time: 55 min
• Yield: 8 servings
• Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

A classic Southern dessert featuring layers of homemade vanilla custard, fresh bananas, and wafers, topped with a golden meringue.

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Ingredients

• 3 medium ripe bananas, cut into 1/4-inch slices
• 2 cups 2% milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (for pudding)
• 36 vanilla wafers
• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 large egg yolks, lightly beaten
• 3/4 cup sugar (for pudding)
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1/8 teaspoon cream of tartar
• 2 large egg whites, room temperature
• 3 tablespoons sugar (for meringue)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (for meringue)

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Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F. In a large saucepan, mix together the sugar and flour. Whisk in the milk until the mixture is smooth. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens and bubbles. Reduce heat and cook for an additional 2 minutes.
2. Remove the pan from the heat. Carefully stir a small amount of the hot milk mixture into the beaten egg yolks to temper them. Return the yolk mixture to the saucepan, stirring constantly. Bring to a gentle boil and cook for 2 more minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the butter and vanilla.
3. In an ungreased 8-inch square baking dish, arrange a layer using one-third of the vanilla wafers, one-third of the bananas, and one-third of the pudding. Repeat these layers two more times.
4. For the meringue, beat egg whites, vanilla, and cream of tartar on medium speed until soft peaks form. Gradually beat in the sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, on high speed until stiff peaks form. Spread the meringue evenly over the hot pudding, ensuring it seals against the edges of the dish.
5. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the meringue is golden brown. Cool on a wire rack for 1 hour. Refrigerate for at least 3 hours before serving.

Notes

For best results, serve chilled. Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

• Prep Time: 35 min
• Chilling Time: 3 hr
• Cook Time: 20 min
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Southern American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 serving
• Calories: 293
• Sugar: 38g
• Sodium: 121mg
• Fat: 7g
• Saturated Fat: 3g
• Unsaturated Fat: 0g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 53g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 5g
• Cholesterol: 58mg

Keywords: Southern Banana Pudding, classic banana pudding, homemade custard dessert, Southern desserts, meringue topping