Old Fashioned Banana Pudding

 Some desserts are more than just a sweet treat—they're a memory. This Old Fashioned Banana Pudding is the epitome of Southern comfort, built from scratch with a rich, creamy custard, ripe bananas, and buttery vanilla wafers, all crowned with a cloud-like baked meringue. Forget the box mixes; this is the real deal, evoking the simple, heartfelt joy of a family gathering.

Gather Your Ingredients

For the Pudding:

• 1 cup granulated sugar

• ½ cup all-purpose flour

• ½ teaspoon salt

• 2 cups whole milk (*see note below)

• 4 large egg yolks

• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter

• 4–5 ripe bananas, thinly sliced

• 1 box (about 11 oz) vanilla wafers

🍌 Pro Tip: To prevent banana slices from browning, you can gently toss them in a teaspoon of lemon juice.

For the Meringue:

• 4 large egg whites, at room temperature

• 5 tablespoons granulated sugar

• ¼ teaspoon cream of tartar

• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

*A Note on Milk: For the creamiest, most luxurious custard, whole milk is essential. Skim or low-fat milk will result in a thinner, less rich pudding._

How to Make This Classic Dessert

Step 1: Prep and Preheat

Begin by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly butter a 9x9-inch (or similar 2-quart) baking dish. Create your first layer by lining the bottom of the dish with a single layer of vanilla wafers.

Step 2: Make the Dry Mix

In a small bowl, thoroughly whisk together the sugar, flour, and salt. This ensures your custard will thicken smoothly and evenly without any lumps.

Step 3: Cook the Custard to Perfection

1. In a medium, heavy-bottomed saucepan, whisk the 4 egg yolks until smooth.

2. Gradually whisk in the dry ingredient mixture, alternating with the milk and vanilla extract. Keep whisking until everything is perfectly combined.

3. Place the saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring constantly and scraping the bottom and corners of the pan with a spatula, until the mixture thickens into a lush, pudding-like consistency. This should take about 10-15 minutes.

4. Remove from heat and stir in the tablespoon of butter until it has melted and the custard is silky smooth.

Step 4: Build the Layers

Now for the fun part! Over the initial layer of wafers in your prepared dish:

• Arrange a layer of sliced bananas.

• Carefully pour half of the warm custard over the bananas, spreading it evenly to the edges.

• Add another layer of vanilla wafers, followed by the remaining bananas, and finally, the rest of the custard.

Step 5: Whip the Meringue

1. In the impeccably clean bowl of a stand mixer (or using a hand mixer), beat the room-temperature egg whites on high speed until they become frothy.

2. Add the cream of tartar and continue beating until soft peaks form.

3. With the mixer still running, gradually add the sugar, one tablespoon at a time. Beat until stiff, glossy peaks form that hold their shape.

4. Gently fold in the ½ teaspoon of vanilla extract.

Step 6: Top and Bake

Pile the fluffy meringue onto the pudding and spread it all the way to the edges of the dish, sealing it completely. This prevents the meringue from shrinking as it bakes. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the meringue is beautifully golden brown.

Step 7: Serve Your Masterpiece

Allow the pudding to cool on a wire rack for at least 30 minutes. It is absolutely divine served slightly warm, when the custard is still luxuriously soft and the bananas are tender. For a firmer, cooler treat, cover and refrigerate for a few hours before serving.