Southern US · Desserts

Banana pudding

Name: Banana pudding
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 5 h 42 min
Yield: 10 servings
Cuisine: Southern US
Ingredients: 3/4 cup (150 grams) granulated sugar; 1/4 cup (30 grams) cornstarch; 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt; 3 cups (720 grams) whole milk; 4 large egg yolks; 2 tablespoons (28 grams) unsalted butter; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 1 box (11 ounces) vanilla wafer cookies; 4 medium ripe but firm bananas; 1 1/2 cups (360 grams) cold heavy cream; 3 tablespoons confectioners' sugar

Layers of vanilla custard, ripe bananas, soft vanilla wafers, and lightly sweet whipped cream.

About 5 hr 45 minTotal

About 45 minActive

$Cost

ModerateDifficulty

Makes 10 servings

Equipment

Any lidded pot of at least two quarts works; a very large pot loses heat faster.
Best value
Cuisinart MultiClad Pro 2-quart Saucepan
View at Amazon
Built for frequent use
All-Clad D3 2-quart Saucier with Lid
View at All-Clad
Another workable path: Any lidded pot of at least two quarts works; a very large pot loses heat faster.
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How we chose
Research-backed · reviewed Aug 2026
We compared two-quart stainless pans for even heat, pouring, lid fit, handle behavior, induction compatibility, durability, and value. Independent side-by-side testing informed the tier distinction; manufacturer specifications established construction and care. Kwilt has not made this soup in these pans.
Cuisinart MultiClad Pro 2-quart Saucepan: The responsive tri-ply construction and two-quart size suit a small soup while remaining useful for grains and sauces. Trade-off: Its conventional corners hold onto food more than a rounded saucier, and the finish is less refined than the All-Clad.
All-Clad D3 2-quart Saucier with Lid: The fully bonded body and rounded base make stirring and pouring easy while the lid holds a small soup warm. Trade-off: Its premium price is difficult to justify for an occasional soup if a basic lidded saucepan already covers the job.
Another workable path: Any lidded pot that comfortably holds at least two quarts works. Avoid an oversized pot if possible; the shallow soup loses heat faster while you finish the omelet.
Sources
The Kitchn saucepan comparison
Cuisinart exact model listing
All-Clad D3 product details

Ingredients

1× recipe · Makes 10 servings

3/4 cup (150 grams) granulated sugar
1/4 cup (30 grams) cornstarch
1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
3 cups (720 grams) whole milk
4 large egg yolks
2 tablespoons (28 grams) unsalted butter
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 box (11 ounces) vanilla wafer cookies
4 medium ripe but firm bananas
1 1/2 cups (360 grams) cold heavy cream
3 tablespoons confectioners' sugar

Instructions

Whisk granulated sugar, cornstarch, and salt . Gradually whisk in milk, then yolks. Cook over medium heat, whisking constantly and reaching corners, until it bubbles; boil gently 1 full minute. Remove from heat and whisk in butter and vanilla.
Press parchment directly on the custard and cool 20 minutes. Arrange a layer of wafers in a 2 1/2-quart dish, add one-third of the bananas sliced just before assembly, and spread with one-third of the warm custard. Repeat twice, ending with custard.
Press parchment on the surface and refrigerate at least 4 hours so custard sets and wafers soften into cake-like layers. Beat cold cream and confectioners' sugar to medium peaks immediately before serving.
Spread whipped cream over the cold pudding and garnish with a few wafers. Add any decorative banana slices only at service because exposed banana browns. Keep refrigerated and serve within 2 days for the best banana texture.

American SouthSouthern American dessert traditions

From the table

About this recipe

Southern banana pudding layers cooked vanilla custard, sliced bananas, and vanilla wafers that soften into tender cake-like bites; chilled versions commonly finish with softly whipped cream.

Southern banana pudding is defined by its assembled layers: vanilla custard, fresh banana, and vanilla wafers that soften into tender cake-like bites. Versions may finish with meringue or whipped cream; this chilled whipped-cream form is especially familiar and avoids a second baked topping. Ripe but firm bananas supply aroma without turning the custard gray or mushy. This Kwilt version follows the reviewed household adaptation: Preserve fully cooked custard, abundant wafers, fresh banana, and a long melding chill, choosing the familiar whipped-cream finish to keep one dependable cold assembly instead of adding meringue baking.

Sources

Dinner does not stop at the recipe