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📍 Alabama

Banana pudding

· Dessert

A layered dessert of vanilla custard, banana, and vanilla wafers, topped with meringue or whipped cream.

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Banana pudding: A layered dessert of vanilla custard, banana, and vanilla wafers, topped with meringue or whipped cream.
Photo: Alabama Extension · CC0 · via Wikimedia CommonsPhoto resized, converted to WebP and cropped for display.
⏱ 160 min🍽 8 servings📊 Easy🏷 Commonly associated🌱 Vegetarian
Preparation
25 min
Cooking
15 min
Waiting and resting
120 min

History

Banana pudding is a much-loved dessert throughout the American South, including Alabama, made popular in the early 20th century when bananas became affordable and cookie brands spread the recipe. It alternates layers of custard, banana slices, and vanilla wafers that soften until creamy.

Ingredients

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Preparation

  1. 1

    Heat the milk without letting it boil.

  2. 2

    Beat the yolks with the sugar and cornstarch; add some of the hot milk to temper.

  3. 3

    Return everything to the pot and cook, stirring, until it thickens into a custard; stir in the vanilla.

  4. 4

    In a baking dish, alternate layers of wafers, banana slices, and custard.

  5. 5

    Repeat the layers and finish with custard.

  6. 6

    Let cool slightly, cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours. Add whipped cream before serving.

Cooking tips

  • Cover the custard directly against its surface while chilling to prevent a skin forming.

References to consult

References provide information about the dish, its context or a technique. Quantities in this version may differ from those in the source.

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