Description
Pioneer Woman’s banana pudding combines creamy vanilla custard with layers of ripe bananas and vanilla wafers. Southern comfort shines through this classic dessert that brings sweet nostalgia to the table.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 bananas (medium, ripe, cut into ¼-inch slices)
- 36 wafers (vanilla)
- 2 cups (480 ml) milk (2%)
- ¾ cup (150 g) sugar
- ⅓ cup (40 g) flour (all-purpose)
- 2 egg yolks (large, lightly beaten)
- 1 tbsp (15 g) butter
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 egg whites (large)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/8 tsp cream of tartar
- 3 tbsps (36 g) sugar
Instructions
- Pudding Base Preparation: Whisk sugar and flour in a medium saucepan, then gradually integrate milk while whisking to create a smooth foundation.
- Heat Management: Position saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring constantly until mixture thickens and bubbles intensely, then reduce heat and simmer for 2 minutes.
- Egg Tempering Technique: Gently introduce hot milk mixture into beaten egg yolks, whisking rapidly to prevent curdling, then carefully reincorporate into the saucepan.
- Flavor Enhancement: Remove from heat and stir in butter and vanilla extract until fully melted and integrated.
- Layering Construction: Create alternating layers in a baking dish with vanilla wafers, sliced bananas, and pudding mixture, ensuring even distribution and complete coverage.
- Meringue Crafting: Whip egg whites with cream of tartar and vanilla, gradually adding sugar until achieving stiff, glossy peaks.
- Topping Application: Spread meringue uniformly over the final pudding layer, extending to dish edges to create a complete seal.
- Baking Finalization: Preheat oven to 175°C, bake for 12-15 minutes until meringue turns golden brown.
- Cooling and Serving: Allow pudding to cool completely on a wire rack for 1 hour, then refrigerate for minimum 3 hours before serving chilled.
Notes
- Prevent Lumpy Pudding: Whisk constantly while heating milk mixture to ensure a smooth, silky texture without any unwanted clumps.
- Master Egg Tempering: Add hot milk gradually to egg yolks while whisking rapidly to prevent scrambling and create a perfectly integrated custard base.
- Meringue Success Tips: Ensure egg whites are at room temperature and use a clean, grease-free bowl to achieve maximum volume and glossy peaks.
- Cooling is Crucial: Allow pudding to cool completely at room temperature before refrigerating to prevent condensation and maintain the perfect texture.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 23 g
- Sodium: 105 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 54 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg