Banana pudding is a popular dessert in the United States, particularly in the South. Many people are familiar with it because it appears frequently on Nilla Wafer® boxes. There are several variations on the dessert. These variations can mean that you can make the dessert with almost no cooking, or you can go all out and make your own pudding and bake it with a layer of meringue on top.
The name “banana pudding” is misleading because the pudding does not actually contain bananas. Instead, vanilla pudding is used as a layer between sliced bananas and vanilla wafers in recipes. These are the most basic ingredients for banana pudding, which you can layer in individual serving cups or in a larger dish like a pie or casserole dish. You can add a layer of whipped whipping cream to the top, or at least a dollop of whipped cream on each serving, if you want to add a little extra flair.
More complicated banana puddings include a layer of meringue on top, which is then baked for a few minutes to brown the whipped egg whites. This is an exciting presentation, and it is sometimes referred to as the “classic” way of presenting the desert. For some, the idea of fluffy white meringue atop layers of bananas, wafers, and vanilla custard or pudding conjures up images of fluffy white meringue sitting atop layers of bananas, wafers, and vanilla custard or pudding. If you plan to bake your pudding, avoid using overly ripe bananas, as they will become mushy after a few minutes in the oven.
There’s also a lot of debate about whether or not you should make your own pudding. Using instant pudding or store-bought pudding is frowned upon if you really want to be authentic. However, there are some excellent store-bought puddings that taste very similar to homemade puddings. The Kozy Shack® brand has a lot of fans because it doesn’t have a lot of fillers or extra ingredients. One advantage of making your own pudding is that you can control the amount of sugar in it to a degree, which may help you make a healthier dish.
Instead of vanilla wafers, graham crackers are used in one version of banana pudding that many people enjoy. You could also use wafer-thin chocolate cookies. If you’re short on time, spoon made or store-bought rice pudding into individual bowls and layer sliced bananas on top. This is a simple dessert or a quick snack for kids. Instant banana pudding is also available, though it isn’t considered an authentic version of the dessert.