Irresistible Southern Banana Pudding Recipe to Savor

Few desserts capture the heart of Southern comfort cooking quite like banana pudding. Creamy, cool, rich, and layered with nostalgia, this beloved classic has been a staple at family gatherings, potlucks, holiday tables, church suppers, and backyard cookouts for generations. There is something unmistakably comforting about the mix of velvety homemade vanilla custard, slices of ripe bananas, and soft-yet-slightly-crispy vanilla wafers that come together to create one of the most effortlessly satisfying desserts of all time.

This Irresistible Southern Banana Pudding takes everything you love about the tradition and elevates it just slightly—more creaminess, deeper vanilla flavor, a richer custard, and beautifully layered textures. This version proudly honors the old-fashioned roots by using a real stovetop custard instead of instant pudding mix, giving you a dessert that tastes like it came straight out of a Southern grandmother’s handwritten recipe collection.

Whether you’re preparing it for a family dinner, a barbecue, Easter Sunday, Thanksgiving, a church gathering, or just because you crave something sweet and soul-soothing, this banana pudding delivers every single time. Let’s walk through everything you need to know to make the very best version you’ve ever tasted.

What Makes Southern Banana Pudding Special?

Banana pudding is much more than a dessert—it’s an heirloom. In the South, the recipe is passed down through generations, each family having its own cherished way of layering, whipping, whisking, or topping. But true Southern banana pudding always includes:

✔ Homemade vanilla custard
✔ Fresh ripe bananas
✔ Classic vanilla wafers
✔ Whipped cream or meringue
✔ Time to chill and soften perfectly

Unlike many quick versions, Southern banana pudding emphasizes slow-cooked custard, because the warm custard poured over wafers creates that signature softened texture that distinguishes it from every other pudding dessert.

Ingredients for Irresistible Southern Banana Pudding

For the Homemade Vanilla Custard

• 2 cups whole milk
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 3 large egg yolks
• ½ cup sugar
• 3 tbsp cornstarch
• 2 tbsp butter
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt

For the Layers

• 4–5 ripe bananas, sliced
• 1 (11–12 oz) box vanilla wafers
• Whipped cream or meringue for topping

Optional Garnishes

• Crushed vanilla wafers
• Caramel drizzle
• Banana slices (for serving)

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Make the Custard

1. In a saucepan, whisk sugar, cornstarch, and salt.
2. Add egg yolks, milk, and heavy cream; whisk until smooth.
3. Cook over medium heat, stirring often, until mixture thickens (about 8–10 minutes).
4. Remove from heat and stir in butter and vanilla until creamy.
5. Cool slightly, but do not chill completely.

2. Prepare Your Dish

6. In a trifle dish, 9×13 pan, or individual cups, add a base layer of vanilla wafers.
7. Add a layer of sliced bananas.
8. Pour warm custard over the bananas and wafers.

3. Repeat

9. Continue layering wafers, bananas, and custard until everything is used.
10. Finish with custard and smooth the top.

4. Add Whipped Cream

11. Spread or pipe whipped cream across the top.
12. Dust with crushed wafers if desired.

5. Chill

13. Refrigerate for at least 3–4 hours, but overnight is best for deep flavor and soft layers.

Irresistible Southern Banana Pudding

A creamy, classic Southern banana pudding layered with homemade vanilla custard, fresh bananas, and vanilla wafers.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 25 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 35 minutes mins

Servings: 10 servings

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American, Southern

Calories: 290

Ingredients

  

Custard

• 2 cups whole milk
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 3 egg yolks
• 0.5 cup sugar
• 3 tbsp cornstarch
• 2 tbsp butter
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 pinch salt

Layers

• 4-5 bananas sliced
• 1 box vanilla wafers 11–12 oz
• 2 cups whipped cream

Equipment

• Saucepan
• Mixing bowls
• Whisk
• 9×13 dish or trifle bowl

Method

 

1. Whisk sugar, cornstarch, and salt in a saucepan.
2. Add egg yolks, milk, and cream; whisk until smooth.
3. Cook over medium heat until thickened, stirring constantly.
4. Remove from heat and stir in butter and vanilla.
5. Layer vanilla wafers in a dish.
6. Add sliced bananas on top.
7. Pour warm custard over the layers.
8. Repeat layers and finish with custard.
9. Top with whipped cream and crushed wafers if desired.
10. Chill for at least 3–4 hours before serving.

Notes

Best served after chilling overnight for perfect texture.

Why This Recipe Works

✔ Homemade Custard = Superior Flavor

Instant pudding can’t compare. The cooked custard is warm, silky, and richer than anything from a box.

✔ Wafers Absorb Just the Right Amount

The warm custard softens the cookies without letting them get soggy. Instead, they become cake-like and lovely.

✔ Fresh Bananas Add Natural Sweetness

Use ripe—but not mushy—bananas for the best flavor and texture.

✔ Layering Ensures Every Bite Is Perfect

This recipe is designed to produce balanced textures and flavors in every spoonful.

Expert Tips

Use Whole Milk

The fat makes the custard set up luxuriously.

Don’t Overcook Your Custard

Stop once it thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon.

Stack Your Layers Generously

Banana pudding isn’t shy. The more layers, the better the final texture.

Chilling Is Essential

Minimum 3 hours, but overnight levels up the flavor dramatically.

Bananas Last Longer Under Custard

The custard seals them from air, preventing browning.

Delicious Variations

1. Meringue-Topped Banana Pudding

Instead of whipped cream, top with fluffy toasted meringue for the vintage Southern finish.

2. Caramel Banana Pudding

Add caramel drizzle between layers for a dessert that’s even more decadent.

3. Chocolate Banana Pudding

Add a thin layer of chocolate ganache between custard layers.

4. No-Cook Version

Use instant vanilla pudding if you’re in a rush—but the homemade version is unmatched.

5. Banana Pudding Cheesecake Cups

Add a small spoonful of cheesecake filling to each layer for a bakery-style twist.

Historical Heritage of Southern Banana Pudding

Although banana pudding is cherished across America, the South holds a particularly deep connection to it. Bananas became widely available in the late 1800s, and Southern cooks quickly folded them into custards and layered desserts. By the mid-1900s, banana pudding had become a Sunday supper tradition.

It remains one of the most comforting, nostalgic desserts of all time—simple, familiar, and universally adored.

Serving Suggestions

• Serve chilled with extra bananas on top.
• Add crushed vanilla wafers right before serving for crunch.
• Pair with sweet tea, iced coffee, or caramel lattes.
• Serve in mason jars for parties or picnics.

How to Store

• Refrigerate tightly covered for 3–4 days.
• Do not freeze—bananas break down and the texture becomes watery.