4.0 from 4 votes

Who doesn’t love a good old fashioned Southern dessert? Well Southern Banana Pudding is a classic southern dessert that is so easy to make and is so good. It is made with layers of homemade vanilla pudding, sliced fresh bananas, and those sweet Nilla wafer cookies. I top mine with whipped cream but feel free to top with meringue or just vanilla wafers.

The best thing about this recipe is this banana pudding is made with homemade pudding. I make homemade pudding because it has a more authentic taste than the box pudding and it is not hard to make and take only a little time. So get your ingredients and let’s make this delicious Southern Banana Pudding together!

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How to Make Southern Banana Pudding

How to Pick Fresh Bananas

The key to the best tasting Southern Banana Pudding is fresh bananas. Make sure to use the following guideline when selecting bananas.

Appearance:

Color: The peel should be bright yellow for a ripe banana. A few brown spots indicate it’s perfectly sweet and ready to eat. Green tips mean it’s a bit underripe, but still good for cooking or baking.
Texture: The peel should be firm, not soft or mushy. Stay away from bananas with bruises, cracks, or splits.
Stem: The stem should be intact and firmly attached.

Smell:

Fresh Banana: A ripe banana will have a sweet, slightly tropical scent.
Overripe Banana: An overripe banana will smell overly sweet, fermented, or even slightly alcoholic.

Feel:

Ripe Banana: A ripe banana will yield slightly to gentle pressure but shouldn’t feel mushy.
Underripe Banana: An underripe banana will feel firm and may be difficult to peel.

Video Tutorial for Southern Banana Pudding

Step 1: Ingredients

Ingredients for Southern Banana Pudding:

Bananas – The star of the show! They provide the sweet, creamy base flavor and a soft, luscious texture.
Nilla Wafers – These vanilla-flavored cookies add a subtle sweetness and a satisfying crunch that contrasts with the pudding’s creaminess.
Milk – The foundation of the custard, providing body and richness.
Butter – Enhances the custard’s flavor and creates a smooth, velvety texture.
Half and Half – A mix of milk and cream that gives the custard a luxurious texture and a balanced richness.
Egg Yolks – Help thicken the custard and create a smooth, creamy consistency.
All-Purpose Flour – Acts as a thickener for the custard, preventing it from being too runny.
Sugar – Sweetens the pudding and balances the other flavors.
Salt – Enhances the sweetness of the pudding and balances the overall flavor profile.
Vanilla Extract – Adds a warm, comforting flavor that complements the bananas and custard.
Almond Extract – Some recipes use a touch of almond extract for a subtle nutty note that enhances the vanilla flavor.

Step 2: Make the Homemade Pudding

The secret to what makes this recipe so good is the homemade vanilla pudding. Using homemade pudding gives it such a rich authentic taste.

In a pot add the milk, half and half and egg yolks and whisk until well combined. Using medium heat bring to temperature. Now add the sugar, salt and flour. Next, whisk together all the ingredients until well combined. Cook for thirteen minutes stirring continuously. After thirteen minutes turn off the heat and add the butter, vanilla extract and almond extract.

Step 3: Cut the Bananas

Cut the fresh bananas slightly diagonal in to half inch pieces.

Step 4: Layer Your Dish for the Banana Pudding

Layer the Nilla Wafers and bananas in the pan, putting a layer of cookies first then bananas. Ensure to evenly distribute both the Nilla Wafers and the bananas for even taste and texture throughout your pudding.

Cover the layers with half of the pudding then repeat these steps. After the second layer has been laid, place in banana pudding in the refrigerator and chill for at least one hour.

This Southern Classic Banana Pudding recipe is my all time favor. I have enjoyed every since I was a kid and loved it every since. It is the perfect dessert for holidays, summer days and all year round.

How to Store Banana Pudding

If you manage to have any leftover banana pudding, make sure to store it in an airtight container. Banana pudding can last for up to 3 day in the refrigerator when stored properly.

Try These Other Great Recipes

Banana Pudding Recipe

Recipe by Soul Food Cooking

4.0 from 4 votes

Course: DessertCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Medium

Servings

servings

Prep time

minutes

Cooking time

minutes

Ingredients

4 Bananas
1 box Nilla Wafers
3 Cups Milk
4 Tbsps Butter
1 Cup Half and Half
8 Egg Yolks
2/3 Cup All-Purpose Flour
1 Cup Sugar
1/2 tsp Salt
1- ½ tsps Vanilla Extract
1/2 tsp Almond Extract

Directions

In a pot add the milk, half and half and egg yolks and whisk until well combined.
Using medium heat bring to temperature. Now add the sugar, salt and flour.
Whisk together all the ingredients until well combined.
Cook for thirteen minutes stirring continuously.
For a thicker custard-like consistency cook for a few minutes more.
After thirteen minutes turn off the heat and add the butter, vanilla extract and almond extract.
Stir until butter is melted.
Cut the bananas.
Layer the cookies and bananas in the pan.
Cover with half the pudding then repeat.
Place in the refrigerator and chill for at least one hour.

Soul Food Cooking

The Best Southern Banana Pudding Recipe – From the Queen of Soul Food Cooking