I had a hankering for banana pudding recently. The kind I had as a kid, with the round vanilla wafers. My mother always used instant vanilla pudding, but I liked this recipe from CHOW called Easy Vanilla Pudding. Boy, it lives up to its name and the batch size is just right for four to six servings. After making the pudding it’s just a matter of adding cookies and sliced bananas for a nostalgic treat.
The banana pudding that almost wasn’t
Making this recipe gave me a chance to use my 8 ounce ramekins. I bought them a few weeks back and I refused to let the clerk bag them. Naturally they slipped right out of my hands and broke. The store manager allowed me to grab a new set, but I felt like a clumsy dolt. You can believe I carried the unbroken set out of the store with two hands!
I really wasn’t interested in making my own vanilla wafers so I purchased them. Any type of butter cookie would work I’m sure, including the Maria cookies we used to make Natillas. Consider the container(s) you want to use to serve your pudding. The vanilla wafers I used fit perfectly into my ramekins. I placed them curved side out to fit the curve of the bowl.
You can strain the pudding, but I didn’t bother. Instead, I was diligent about whisking and scraping the pan while the pudding was cooking and used a ladle to fill the ramekins so I could avoid dipping up any lumpy bits.
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons arrowroot powder or cornstarch
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 1/4 cups milk
- 3 egg yolks, beaten
- 3 tablespoons butter, cut into small pieces
- 1 tablespoon vanilla
- vanilla wafers I used 28 to fill four 8 ounce ramekins
- 1 banana, sliced into rounds You may need another banana, depending on the size.
Instructions
- Mix the sugar, arrowroot and salt in a heavy saucepan, off the heat.
- Add about a 1/2 cup of milk and whisk together.
- Place the pan on the stove over medium heat. Continue to stir in order to dissolve the sugar.
- When you no longer feel or hear the sugar with your whisk, stir in the rest of the milk and the egg yolks.
- Whisk constantly while the pudding is heating up.
- As the pudding begins to thicken and bubble, switch to a spoon or spatula and reduce the heat as necessary.
- The pudding is finished when it drops off the spoon in ribbons that aren't quickly absorbed into the pudding. It will take 10 to 15 minutes from the time you put the saucepan on the heat.
- At this point, remove from the heat and stir in the butter and vanilla.
- To assemble the puddings, put a cookie in the bottom of each ramekin and fill halfway with pudding.
- Arrange banana slices on top of the pudding and place four vanilla wafers around the edge of the ramekin.
- Add more pudding to fill the ramekin and top with more banana slices and cookies.
- Chill for at least 2 hours before eating.
I love the addition of the butter at the end. It gives the pudding a nice creamy texture. I had a little pudding and some lumps left in the bottom of the saucepan when I finished filling the ramekins. Good thing I had more vanilla wafers to scoop it up! I hope you’re inspired to make your own pudding soon.
I’ve always loved banana pudding and its definitely a Southern dessert favorite here in Georgia. My mom would always make it in a sheet pan too. You’re individual mini puddings are such a cute idea!! Will have to try making this soon! Thanks for sharing Lydia 😉
Thanks for dropping by Julie. I’m on my way to check out your refrigerator cake, another “old fashioned” dessert 🙂
I’ve never had banana pudding with the wafers before so I’m thinking I might have to make up a batch soon just to say I’ve tried it.
Thanks for sharing at The Weekend Social #19
Ricki
All I can say is YUMMMMM….. I just wanted to let you know that I will be featuring this post tomorrow on Tuesdays with a Twist on my blog, please stop by and check it out. Thank again and have a great week. 🙂
Thank you, Debra. I enjoy linking up with Tuesdays with a Twist. 🙂
CONGRATS Lydia!! Your fantastic Banana Puddings are this week’s feature at MUNCHING MONDAYS!!!! How delicious. Hope to see you this week and make sure to spread the great news 🙂 Warmest, Nic
Thank you so much! I’m looking forward to this week’s party 🙂
Not sure I could eat just one cup 😉 Thanks for sharing on Blogger Brags!
I have such a weakness for good banana pudding-let alone individual ones! Looks delicious! Thank you so much for linking up at Tasty Tuesday! Your recipe has been pinned to the Tasty Tuesday Pinterest board! Please join us again next week!
I love the individual servings! So fun. Pinned. Thanks for being part of our party. Please come and show off on Monday at 7 pm. We would love it. http://loulougirls.blogspot.com/
Happy Saturday! Lou Lou Girls
These banana puddings look great! Thank you for sharing with us at Simple Supper Tuesday.
These look soo nice and I bet they taste amazing too 😡 So hungry right now :))
They were delicious! I couldn’t wait for them to set and licked the bowl 🙂
Wow, brings back so many memories. Just adore banana pudding with vanilla wafers. We are definitely going to have to make these this summer. What a great treat. Thanks for linking up at Tasty Tuesdays.
My little dude will love this! Making this it this weekend! Thanks for sharing on Whatever Wednesday on Thank You Honey!
I just made some banana pudding this past weekend at request of my son! It’s delicious, but I’m interested in the homemade pudding recipe. I’ll have to look into that…I just use the instant. Thanks for sharing over at the Homeacre Hop. Please join us again this week!
Mary 🙂
http://www.homegrownonthehill.com
I hope you give it a try, Mary. It’s easy to do and I usually have all the ingredients on hand. Let me know how it turns out 🙂
Hi Lydia,
Banana Pudding is a favorite here at the cottage and we would love your recipe. I really love the individual servings and will be pinning this post. Thanks so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday and have a great day!
Miz Helen
How fabulous and I love Banana Pudding. I just need to buy some little cups. Thanks tons for linking to Inspire Me.
I remember my mother making this in a sheet cake pan. We never complained 🙂 Thanks for dropping by!
They look so yummy, definitely going to try this out!! Thanks for linking up to Stumble Into the Weekend!
Love me some banana pudding!
Dropping by from Let’s Get Real. This looks great. I’ve never made my own pudding, have always used instant. I don’t think my mother ever did either. Will have to give it a try. Pinning.
Please let me know how it goes, Julie. Thanks for dropping by 🙂
Oh, I haven’t had this dish in years and years! This really brings back memories. I’d definitely buy, rather than make, my vanilla wafers too. Good stuff — thanks.
The entire household enjoyed them, John. Thanks so much for dropping by and taking the time to comment 🙂
Banana pudding with Nilla Wafers was all I wanted when I was in the hospital after having all three of my babies. It always looked strange because I checked three boxes under dessert on my meal order – bananas, pudding, wafers. But in my mind it was one dessert. 🙂
I applaud your good taste in hospital food, and pudding 🙂