Old Fashioned Banana Pudding

Published: Apr 11, 2025 Last Updated: Apr 12, 2025 by Marye

Homemade banana pudding recipe is made from scratch with lots of old-fashioned flavor and maybe a splash of bourbon. Creamy vanilla custard, sweet bananas, and crunchy vanilla wafers are layered to make a comforting dessert.

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 10

Total Time 20

Jump to Recipe

Originally published on October 14, 2014. This post was last updated on April 11, 2025, for editorial improvements.

A bowl of banana pudding with title text overlay.

Table of Contents

🧾 Ingredients
🔪 Instructions
📖 Recipe
📖 Variations
💭 Tips
👩‍🍳 FAQs
📚 Related recipes
📞 The last word
💬 Comments

I have been looking for this recipe for a while. This is the best banana pudding recipe I've ever had! I've made many varieties of banana pudding. This one is amazing! I always use the variation of folding meringue in with custard and use fresh whipped cream in layers. It's so good!

Kim

This is the old-fashioned banana pudding your Grandma proudly served in her best Pyrex—super creamy vanilla custard, homemade from scratch (no boxed mix in this kitchen, thank you kindly). Around here, it shows up at every single holiday, potluck, funeral, or Tuesday that needs comfort, but it’s a non-negotiable at Easter and Christmas.

And if you’re in a rush? I see you. Here’s an easy banana pudding with sweetened condensed milk version with your name on it.

🧾 Ingredients

🔪 Instructions

This old-fashioned banana pudding recipe is really simple to make - there's no need to use a boxed mix!

Collage of images showing steps for making banana pudding.

Alright, —grab that apron and let’s make some magic. Start by mixing flour and sugar together in a big Pyrex bowl - I like to use a whisk for this. Now, slowly whisk in the evaporated milk until it’s smooth. Pop it in the microwave and zap it ‘til it thickens up, stopping to whisk every minute or so—no multitasking, keep an eye on it like it owes you money.

Now comes the part where we don’t scramble the eggs: add a bit of that hot goodness to the yolks while whisking like your life depends on it, then ease it all back into the milk mixture. Cook it till it’s thick and creamy (about 2 more minutes - don't let it boil). Remove from the microwave and stir in the butter and vanilla, and try not to lick the spoon (or do—I won’t judge). Now layer those vanilla wafers like you’re building something sacred, top with banana slices, and pour on that warm, creamy pudding like the Southern queen (king?) you are. Retro perfection in a bowl.

📖 Recipe

📖 Variations

Sometimes I whip the egg whites up into a stiff, sweetened meringue and then carefully fold it into the cooled custard right before putting it all together.

You end up with a lighter mouth feel with all the flavor and deliciousness of the pudding. Kinda like a mousse.

Try it that way once and if you don't like it just use the meringue as a topping next time instead of folding it in. Or, use the egg whites for something else.

Some southern banana pudding recipes use chessmen cookies instead of the 'Nilla Wafers.
This is the best banana pudding if you're looking for the classic recipe but try my Nutter Butter Banana Pudding if you're feeling adventurous.
Sliced strawberries, peaches, or raspberries are a delicious change from bananas.
Use graham crackers instead of the vanilla wafers.

💭 Tips

Expert Tip: An old-fashioned secret to making the best banana pudding recipe is evaporated milk. I have tried half and half, heavy cream, whole milk, and combinations of those ingredients and nothing makes a pudding creamier than evaporated milk. You can substitute 3 cups of milk if you want to - but I am telling you the evaporated milk works best.

I don't recommend low-fat milk and I've never tried non-dairy milks.
Dip bananas in a tiny bit of lemon juice to keep them from turning brown. If you don't like the sour lemon you can dip the slices in 7-Up!
For the best result use ripe bananas but not so ripe they're turning into liquid or mushy. They should still be firm. Save the extra ripe ones for Hawaiian banana bread.
You can save the egg whites and whip them until stiff peaks form to make meringue for the top or just save them for another use.

👩‍🍳 FAQs

Why do my bananas turn black in banana pudding?

Bananas will darken when exposed to air unless they've been dipped in lemon juice.

Why is my banana pudding watery?

Usually, it's watery because the custard hasn't been allowed to thicken enough when cooking or too much liquid has been used. It may also be watery if it's been in the fridge a few days and the bananas have started to deteriorate.

Is this recipe served warm?

That's up to you! Some people do serve it warm and some prefer it chilled. When chilled it tends to be thicker and when warm it tends to have a thinner texture.

Two servings of banana pudding in bowls on the table.

Who doesn't love bananas? Here are some of my favorite banana desserts!

Southern Banana Pudding Cheesecake is a creamy New York cheesecake with big banana pudding flavor.
Banana Cake with gooey walnut filling is covered in a whipped cream cheese frosting that's light and fluffy. Best banana layer cake recipe ever!
Try this no bake banana pudding pie!

📞 The last word

Classic banana pudding is the ultimate comfort food!

It's one of those classic Southern recipes that finds its way to nearly every Texas table around just about any holiday.

As long as a glazed ham, some hot out of the oven rolls, and a creamy rich banana pudding are on the table it doesn't much matter what else fills it out.

Don't just make this for Christmas dinner.

Make it for that night when you changed a flat in the cold, found out you had the wrong size spare, and trudged three miles through sleet to get help.

Save this family favorite for a night when you want to watch a chick flick and cry. Save it for a night when the family is doing a 120000000 piece puzzle of Einstein's brain or playing Monopoly.

This easy banana pudding recipe is like your favorite sweats. Comfortable, warm, and cozy -not elegant or spectacular.

Finished banana pudding in serving glasses.

More Southern Dessert Recipes

About Marye

Meet Marye Audet, a wizard in the kitchen and a storyteller at heart. Marye is like your eccentric but fun aunt who knows all the secret recipes and isn't afraid to spill them. She's been around the culinary block more than once, turning simple ingredients into mouthwatering masterpieces. With a sprinkle of humor and a dash of wit, she makes cooking feel like a piece of cake (which she can also teach you to bake perfectly). When she's not conjuring up delicious dishes, you might find her sharing laughs with her family, reading by the fire, or scribbling down her next big recipe idea. Marye believes that a good meal and a hearty laugh are the best parts of life. Marye's a NY Times Bestselling author with 10 cookbooks under her belt and her recipes have been featured in Good Housekeeping, Country Living, Today, House Beautiful, Texas Living, Food & Wine, and many more.

Comments

4.50 from 44 votes (38 ratings without comment)

Old Fashioned Banana Pudding

🧾 Ingredients

🔪 Instructions

📖 Recipe