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Southern Strawberry Banana Pudding

A delightful layered dessert combining vanilla wafers, bananas, strawberries, and silky vanilla pudding, perfect for gatherings and easy to prepare ahead of time.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 4 hours
Servings: 12 servings
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Southern
Calories: 320
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Vanilla Pudding
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 3 large egg yolks
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 3 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 1/4 teaspoon fine salt
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
For Assembly
  • 1 box vanilla wafers
  • 4 to 5 pieces ripe bananas Use ripe but firm bananas
  • 2 cups sliced strawberries
  • 2 cups whipped cream or whipped topping

Method
 

Make the Vanilla Pudding
  1. Whisk yolks, sugar, cornstarch, and salt in a medium bowl.
  2. Warm milk and cream in a saucepan until steaming, do not boil.
  3. Temper the eggs by slowly whisking half the hot milk into the yolk mixture, then pour everything back into the pan.
  4. Cook over medium heat, whisking until thick bubbles pop and the mixture coats a spoon, about 3 to 5 minutes.
  5. Off heat, whisk in butter and vanilla. Press through a sieve for extra smooth pudding.
  6. Cover the surface with plastic wrap to prevent skin. Cool to room temperature, then chill until cold.
Assemble the Pudding
  1. Lay wafers in your dish.
  2. Spread a layer of cold pudding, then add slices of bananas and strawberries.
  3. Repeat the layers, finishing with pudding and a generous layer of whipped cream.
  4. Crumble a few cookies on top and add some strawberry slices for color.
  5. Chill for at least 4 hours, or overnight for the softest cookie layers.

Notes

Make ahead by assembling the dessert a night before serving. Cover and refrigerate, adding the final whipped cream and decorative fruit hours before serving. Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For added flavor, macerate strawberries in sugar and lemon juice before layering.