Banana Pudding Layered With Graham Cracker Crumbs

By
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Southern-cuisine expert and cookbook author Diana Rattray has created more than 5,000 recipes and articles in her 20 years as a food writer.
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Updated on 02/23/22
banana pudding
Altayb/E+/Getty Images
Prep: 2 mins
Cook: 20 mins
Total: 22 mins
Servings: 4 to 5 servings
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
340 Calories
7g Fat
65g Carbs
8g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4 to 5
Amount per serving
Calories 340
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 7g 8%
Saturated Fat 2g 10%
Cholesterol 79mg 26%
Sodium 174mg 8%
Total Carbohydrate 65g 24%
Dietary Fiber 2g 8%
Total Sugars 48g
Protein 8g
Vitamin C 6mg 31%
Calcium 154mg 12%
Iron 1mg 7%
Potassium 449mg 10%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

This pudding recipe is made with homemade vanilla pudding that sits atop layers of graham cracker crumbs and sliced bananas and then is topped with a fluffy meringue. It's a comfort food dessert that can call you back to your childhood, making it a popular homespun dessert to take to potlucks or serve at gatherings.

The beauty of this recipe is that it features simple ingredients you might already have in your pantry. While you could use a vanilla pudding mix instead of making your own, homemade gives you full control over the ingredients.

Ingredients

Steps to Make It

  1. Heat the oven to 350 F.

  2. Lightly butter an 8 x 8-inch baking dish.

  3. Separate the eggs; put the egg whites in a clean, grease-free bowl—stainless steel or glass—and set them aside for the meringue.

    Whisk the egg yolks in a saucepan or in the top of a double boiler.

  4. Combine the sugar and cornstarch in a separate bowl and mix thoroughly; add it to the egg yolks. Add the milk and whisk to blend.

  5. Cook the pudding mixture over low heat until it is thickened and creamy, stirring constantly. Remove it from the heat, add the vanilla extract, and stir to combine.

  6. In the baking dish, place alternating layers of graham cracker crumbs and sliced bananas. Top with the vanilla custard.

  7. To make the meringue, beat the egg whites until soft peaks form. Add the powdered sugar and continue to beat until stiff peaks form.

  8. Spread the meringue over the custard and bake for about 10 minutes or until the meringue is nicely browned.

Tips

  • For this recipe, you should look for fully ripened bananas that are at the peak of flavor, but not those that have a lot of black on the skin and have become over-ripe. It is best when the banana slices are soft, sweet, and no longer green. The bananas will begin to turn brown in the pudding, so it's a good idea to enjoy this dessert within a day or two of making it.
  • For a more elegant presentation, you can make this pudding in separate custard dishes or ramekins for individual servings, which is nice for a dinner party.

Recipe Variations

  • You'll often see similar recipes made with a commercial whipped topping rather than meringue, which would save you a step. Or you could substitute homemade whipped cream in place of the meringue.
  • For a Southern-style layered banana pudding, replace the graham cracker crumbs with broken vanilla wafers.