Completely Homemade Banana Pudding

Banana Pudding Recipe 

This is not a beginner recipe but feel free to add certain boxed products with some of the scratch made and it will still be delicious. For instance you can use boxed vanilla wafers or even boxed pudding but nothing tastes as good as making it from scratch! 

Vanilla Wafers

1.     Pre-Heat Oven to 350. Place one rack on upper third and lower third of the oven.

2.     3.5 ounces of sugar (vanilla sugar better), 4 ounces butter (room temp) and 1 large egg. Cream together sugar and butter on medium speed for two minutes scraping down the bowl half way through. Once the mixture is a creamy light yellow add the egg until completely incorporated. Turn your mixer on low.

3.     Add 1 tablespoon of milk (whole not skim) and 4 Teaspoons of real vanilla extract Slowing into the mixture. Allow to fully incorporate.

4.     7 Ounces all-purpose flour, ¾ teaspoon baking powder, ½ teaspoon salt. Shift all these dry ingredients together. Slowly add this to the mixer allow to incorporate and scrape down the bowl.

5.     Allow to chill in a cold refrigerator for 10 minutes.

6.     Line two half-sheet pans with parchment paper and then scoop with a 1 tsp. scoop 5x7 scoops. Use the heel of your hand to slightly smash them down.

7.     Then place in oven for 18 minutes flip pan around half way through for even browning.

8.     Place on a cooling rack an allow to cool for at least a half an hour.

Vanilla Pudding

1.     Combine ¾ cup of sugar and 3 tablespoons of cornstarch and ¼ tsp kosher salt in a pan. Mix until combined.

2.     When combine mix in 2 whole eggs and 1 egg yolk whisking constantly for 30 seconds on low heat.

3.     Follow the eggs with 2 cups of whole milk slowing whisking constantly.

4.     Now bring the heat to medium low and bring the mixture to 172-180 degrees. Then remove from heat.

5.     Then add three tablespoons of chilled butter cut into 6 equal pieces one at a time slowing adding the fat into the mix. Then add a ½ tsp. of vanilla extract.

6.     Place in dish and cover and refrigerate 2 hours.

Assembly

1.     Take 4 oz. of banana liqueur and slowly pour onto 45 vanilla wafers. Allow then to soak for 10 minutes

2.     Take 3 bananas and cut into ¼ inch rounds. Toss with 1 tablespoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice.

3.     Take one cup of very cold heavy whipping cream along with two tablespoons sugar in a mixing bowl fitted with the whipping attachment. Whip till stiff peaks form.

4.     Use a 1.5 quart glass bowl starting with a small layer of pudding as a foundation no more than a third of a cup. Then add vanilla wafers don’t overlap them too much then add the bananas doing the same.

5.     Keep building until you have three layers on bananas three layers of cookies four layers of pudding on then topped with whipped cream.

6.     Then place in the refrigerator up to 30 minutes.