Classic Banana Pudding Recipes

Steps:

• Bring the half-and-half to a simmer in a medium saucepan set over medium heat. Meanwhile, whisk the granulated sugar, cornstarch, vanilla, egg yolks and salt together in a medium bowl. Slowly whisk about 1 cup of the warm half-and-half into the egg mixture, then pour back into the saucepan, whisking constantly. Continue to cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, until mixture comes to a boil and thickens, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and whisk in the butter.
• Spread half the crushed cookies in the bottom of a 2-quart square or oval dish, top with half the pudding and half the banana slices. Repeat the layers ending with banana. Press a piece of plastic wrap directly against the banana slices and refrigerate until cold, about 30 minutes.
• Whip the cream and confectioners? sugar in a large chilled bowl with an electric mixer on medium-high speed or by hand with a whisk until stiff peaks.
• Spread the whipped cream over the pudding and refrigerate until the pudding is firm, at least 2 hours or overnight. Serve with crumbled wafer cookies on top.

Steps:

• Heat 2 1/2 cups of the milk in a large saucepan over medium heat until steaming.
• Whisk 3/4 cup of the sugar, the cornstarch and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a large bowl. Whisk in the egg yolks and the remaining 1/2 cup milk.
• Whisk half of the hot milk into the egg mixture until smooth, and then gradually whisk the egg-milk mixture into the milk in the saucepan. Cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, until the mixture boils. Reduce the heat to medium-low, and let the mixture come to a simmer. Continue to cook, whisking constantly, until it has thickened to a puddinglike consistency, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from the heat and whisk in the butter and vanilla.
• Layer a third of the pudding, half the banana slices and half the vanilla wafers in a 9-inch square baking dish. Layer with half the remaining pudding, all the remaining banana slices and all the remaining wafers. Top with the last of the pudding. Cover with plastic wrap pressed directly on the pudding surface, and refrigerate overnight to soften the cookies.
• Position a rack in the upper third of the oven, and preheat to 350 degrees F. Bring the egg whites to room temperature. Beat the egg whites and cream of tartar in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment on medium speed until frothy. Increase the speed to medium-high, and slowly sprinkle in the remaining 1/2 cup sugar a tablespoon at a time, whipping for 15 seconds after each addition, until glossy firm peaks form. Spread the meringue on top of the pudding with an offset spatula so it reaches the edges of the pan. Bake until golden brown, 12 to 15 minutes. Serve warm or chilled.

Steps:

• Beat pudding mix and milk 2 minutes.
• Blend in condensed milk until smooth.
• Stir in vanilla and fold in most of Cool Whip.
• Layer wafers, bananas, and pudding mixture in glass serving bowl.
• Top with bananas, wafers, and remaining Cool Whip.
• Serve chilled.

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, mix sugar, flour and salt. Whisk in milk. Cook and stir over medium heat until thickened and bubbly. Reduce heat to low; cook and stir 2 minutes longer. Remove from heat., In a small bowl, whisk eggs. Whisk a small amount of hot mixture into eggs; return all to pan, whisking constantly. Bring to a gentle boil; cook and stir 2 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in vanilla. Cool 15 minutes, stirring occasionally., In an ungreased 8-in. square baking dish, layer 25 vanilla wafers, half of the banana slices and half of the pudding. Repeat layers., Press plastic wrap onto surface of pudding. Refrigerate 4 hours or overnight. Just before serving, remove wrap; crush remaining wafers and sprinkle over top.