Banana pudding is more than just a simple bowl of pudding. Banana pudding is a dessert that combines several flavors in one bite and is similar to cake, pudding and pie all in one. Homemade banana pudding can be made using homemade pudding or instant pudding. The key to banana pudding is the layering of different ingredients and the flavors they lend to this dessert.
Line the bottom of your square baking pan with vanilla wafers, covering the bottom of the pan from side to side.
Slice the bananas about 1/3-inch wide per slice. Lay banana slices in a single layer over the vanilla wafers in the bottom of the baking pan.
Spoon vanilla pudding over the vanilla wafers and banana slices. Use half the pudding for your layer.
Repeat the first three layers on top of the pudding by adding another layer of vanilla wafers, banana slices and the remainder of the pudding.
Top the pudding dessert with a thick layer of meringue. Spread the meringue over the top layer of pudding with a spatula, occasionally lifting the spatula to form small peaks on top of the dessert. Cover the entire top of the dessert to the sides of the pan with the meringue.
Tip
Substitute instant banana-flavored pudding for vanilla pudding for extra banana flavor.
Garnish your banana pudding with chocolate shavings to add a bit of chocolate taste.
Bake the banana pudding layers in the oven at 375 degrees long enough to brown the meringue
Serve banana pudding chilled; chilling sets the layers so the dessert doesn't fall into a mess after scooping out the first serving.
References
Writer Bio
Mary Ylisela is a former teacher with a Bachelor of Arts in elementary education and mathematics. She has been a writer since 1996, specializing in business, fitness and education. Prior to teaching, Ylisela worked as a certified fitness instructor and a small-business owner.