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Nilla Wafer Banana Pudding with Vanilla Bean and Homemade Whipped Cream Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.4 from 103 reviews
  • Author: Alvarez
  • Prep Time: 20 mins
  • Cook Time: 15 mins
  • Total Time: 1 hr 30 mins
  • Yield: 8-10 servings
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

This Nilla Wafer Banana Pudding is a rich, creamy dessert featuring layers of delicate homemade vanilla pudding, ripe banana slices, and crunchy Nilla Wafers. The pudding is made from scratch with eggs, milk, and sweetened condensed milk for depth of flavor, folded with freshly whipped cream infused with real vanilla bean seeds. Chilled overnight, this nostalgic classic is elevated to a gourmet treat perfect for gatherings or comforting at home.

Ingredients

Scale

Pudding Ingredients

  • 3 large eggs
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 3 cups milk (preferably 2%)
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk

Whipped Cream

  • 1 1/3 cups cold heavy cream
  • 6 tablespoons powdered sugar
  • Seeds from 2 vanilla bean pods, split and scraped

Assembly

  • 1 (8-ounce) box Nilla Wafers
  • 4 large bananas, sliced into 1/4-inch rounds

Instructions

  1. Make pudding: In a medium bowl, whisk the eggs until smooth. In a large saucepan over medium heat, whisk together sugar, flour, and kosher salt. Gradually add the milk while whisking to combine everything smoothly. Cook the mixture, stirring occasionally, until it thickens and begins to bubble. Reduce heat to low and continue cooking for 2 more minutes to fully activate the thickening.
  2. Temper eggs: Remove the pan from heat. Slowly pour about a cup of the hot milk mixture into the eggs, whisking vigorously to prevent the eggs from scrambling. Then pour the egg mixture back into the saucepan, stirring constantly.
  3. Finish pudding: Return the saucepan to medium heat and bring the mixture back to a gentle boil. Reduce heat to low and cook while stirring for an additional 2 minutes until pudding is thick and smooth. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract. Let the pudding cool for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent skin forming.
  4. Add sweetened condensed milk: Gently fold in the sweetened condensed milk into the pudding. Continue cooling the pudding to room temperature to prepare for assembly.
  5. Make whipped cream: In a stand mixer bowl fitted with a whisk attachment, combine cold heavy cream, powdered sugar, and the scraped vanilla bean seeds. Beat on high speed until stiff peaks form.
  6. Combine pudding and whipped cream: Gently fold the whipped cream into the cooled pudding in two additions, ensuring a light, airy texture is maintained.
  7. Assemble the pudding: In a large trifle dish or glass serving bowl, layer Nilla Wafers (reserving some for topping), sliced bananas, and the pudding mixture. Repeat layers to fill the dish.
  8. Chill and serve: Cover the assembled pudding with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight to allow flavors to meld and wafers to soften. Just before serving, crush more Nilla Wafers on top as a crunchy garnish.

Notes

  • This homemade banana pudding recipe offers a gourmet twist on a nostalgic childhood favorite, elevating it with fresh vanilla bean seeds and rich whipped cream.
  • Chilling overnight is crucial for the pudding to set properly and for the flavors to fully develop.
  • Use ripe but firm bananas to prevent overly mushy layers in the pudding.
  • For a lighter version, you can substitute half-and-half for the heavy cream, but whipped cream might be less stable.
  • If you don’t have vanilla bean pods, extra vanilla extract can be used, though it won’t have the same aromatic depth.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cup (approximate)
  • Calories: 350
  • Sugar: 33g
  • Sodium: 120mg
  • Fat: 18g
  • Saturated Fat: 11g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 6g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 42g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Protein: 6g
  • Cholesterol: 125mg

Find it online: https://mycopyrecipe.com/nilla-wafer-banana-pudding-with-vanilla-bean-and-homemade-whipped-cream-recipe/