Best 2 Extra Special Banana Pudding Recipes

Indulge in a delightful culinary journey with our extraordinary banana pudding, an iconic Southern dessert guaranteed to tantalize your taste buds. This classic treat, often gracing holiday tables and family gatherings, combines layers of creamy vanilla pudding, sweet and ripe bananas, and crisp vanilla wafers, creating a symphony of flavors and textures in every bite.

But our journey doesn't stop there. We present not one, but three enticing variations of this timeless dessert. The first, our Classic Banana Pudding, embodies the traditional Southern charm, featuring a luscious homemade vanilla pudding, layers of sliced bananas, and vanilla wafers. For those seeking a richer experience, our Chocolate Banana Pudding elevates the classic with a decadent chocolate pudding, promising an irresistible indulgence. And for a touch of tropical flair, our Coconut Banana Pudding introduces a creamy coconut pudding, transporting you to a paradise of flavors.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

CARAMELIZED BANANA PUDDING

Caramelized Banana Pudding image

This crowd-pleasing Southern dessert created by layering vanilla pudding, vanilla wafers and bananas is adapted from Millie Peartree, the owner of Millie Peartree Fish Fry & Soul Food restaurant in the Bronx. Her version takes it over the top by caramelizing the bananas with a little melted butter, brown sugar, cinnamon and vanilla before layering. This extra step adds complex flavor to the unapologetically sweet dessert. Serve piles of it in bowls with extra wafers crumbled over the top, a sprinkle of cinnamon and unsweetened whipped cream, if desired.

Provided by The New York Times

Categories custards and puddings, dessert

Time 30m

Yield One 9-by-13 dish (12 to 15 servings)

Number Of Ingredients 12

Ingredients

2 cups granulated sugar
3 tablespoons cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
1 quart (4 cups) half-and-half
6 large egg yolks
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
8 bananas, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch slices
2 tablespoons light brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, plus more for serving
1 (11-ounce) box vanilla wafers, plus more for serving
Unsweetened whipped cream, for serving (optional)

Steps:

In a medium saucepan, whisk together the sugar, cornstarch and salt. Add the half-and-half and egg yolks, and whisk to combine. Cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, until thickened and pudding-like, 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in 2 tablespoons butter and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.
In a large saucepan or skillet over medium heat, melt the remaining 2 tablespoons butter. Add bananas, brown sugar, cinnamon and remaining 1 teaspoon vanilla. Cook, stirring frequently, until well combined, about 2 minutes.
Layer half the vanilla wafers in a 9-by-13 baking or trifle dish. Top with half the caramelized bananas then half the pudding. Repeat procedure with remaining wafers, bananas and pudding. Chill for 4 to 6 hours, or up to overnight. Garnish with crumbled vanilla wafers and sprinkle with additional cinnamon before serving. Serve with unsweetened whipped cream, if using.

EXTRA SPECIAL BANANA PUDDING

Extra Special Banana Pudding image

This has been a favorite of our family for years. The coconut adds a special crunchy touch. You can use vanilla pudding, if you prefer.

Provided by VJANE

Categories Desserts Fruit Dessert Recipes Banana Dessert Recipes

Time 1h

Yield 15

Number Of Ingredients 8

Ingredients

2 cups flaked coconut
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup butter, softened
½ cup white sugar
2 (5 ounce) packages instant banana pudding mix
6 cups cold milk
3 bananas, sliced
1 (8 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed

Steps:

Preheat oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C).
In a medium bowl, use fingers to mix together coconut, flour and sugar with butter until a crumbly mixture is formed. Spread on a baking sheet.
Bake in preheated oven until light brown, stirring occasionally, 45 minutes.
Prepare pudding mix with cold milk according to package directions. In a 9x13 inch dish, sprinkle two-thirds of the coconut mixture. Spread the prepared pudding over the crust. Top with sliced bananas and whipped topping. Sprinkle remaining crust on top and refrigerate until serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 407.7 calories, Carbohydrate 39.3 g, Cholesterol 41.5 mg, Fat 25.2 g, Fiber 3.1 g, Protein 6.7 g, SaturatedFat 18.8 g, Sodium 187.6 mg, Sugar 16.7 g

Tips:

Use ripe bananas: The riper the bananas, the sweeter and more flavorful your pudding will be.
Don't overmix the pudding: Overmixing can make the pudding tough and gummy.
Chill the pudding before serving: This will help it to set and develop its full flavor.
Use a variety of toppings: Nilla wafers, whipped cream, and sliced bananas are all classic toppings for banana pudding, but you can also get creative and use other toppings like chopped nuts, chocolate chips, or fruit.
Make it a layered pudding: For a more decadent dessert, alternate layers of pudding and cookies or wafers in a trifle dish.

Conclusion:

Banana pudding is a classic Southern dessert that is perfect for any occasion. It is easy to make and can be tailored to your own taste. These recipes are all easy to follow and will help you create a delicious and impressive banana pudding that your family and friends will love.