Creamy Caramel Banana Pudding Delight

🕒 Prep: 15 min
🔥 Cook: 10 min
🍽 Serves: 6
★★★★★
Be the First to Review!

This Creamy Caramel Banana Pudding Delight is a luscious dessert that brings together the comforting flavors of caramel and banana in a silky pudding. Perfect for any occasion, it's both a crowd-pleaser and a personal favorite for cozy nights in.

Ingredients for Creamy Caramel Banana Pudding Delight

Bananas provide natural sweetness and a creamy texture. Make sure they're ripe for the best flavor. Granulated sugar is the base for our caramel, offering the perfect sweetness to balance the bananas. Unsalted butter adds richness and a smooth texture to the caramel. Water helps dissolve the sugar, ensuring a smooth caramel sauce. Whole milk and heavy cream are the foundation of the pudding, giving it a velvety texture. Cornstarch thickens the pudding, ensuring it sets nicely. A pinch of salt enhances all the flavors. Vanilla extract adds a lovely aroma and rounds out the flavor profile. Vanilla wafer cookies add a delightful crunch and a layer of flavor. Finally, whipped cream is the perfect finishing touch, making each bite light and airy.

Tips & Tricks

  • For a deeper caramel flavor, let the sugar caramelize a little longer, but be careful not to burn it.
  • If the pudding isn't thickening, cook it for a few more minutes while whisking constantly.
  • Use a glass or ceramic dish for layering to show off the beautiful layers of pudding, bananas, and wafers.

Serving Suggestions

This pudding is delightful on its own, but for an extra touch, serve it with a drizzle of caramel sauce and a sprinkle of crushed nuts for added texture. Pair with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an indulgent treat.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use low-fat milk instead?
Whole milk is recommended for the best texture, but you can use low-fat milk if you prefer. The pudding may be slightly less creamy.
How long does this pudding last in the fridge?
It will keep well for up to 3 days in the refrigerator, making it a convenient make-ahead dessert.

Creamy Caramel Banana Pudding Delight Recipe Walkthrough

Start by melting the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Once it's melted, add the sugar and water. Stir this mixture continuously until it caramelizes to a golden brown color — this takes patience, but it's worth it. You'll know it's ready when it smells like caramel heaven.

Next, carefully whisk in the milk and heavy cream. Don't worry if the caramel seizes up a bit; just keep whisking until it all dissolves into a smooth sauce. Let this mixture simmer gently.

In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch and salt with a splash of cold milk until smooth. This slurry will prevent lumps from forming in your pudding. Gradually whisk it into the caramel mixture.

Keep cooking and whisking the pudding until it thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon. This is the magical moment when your pudding comes together. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.

To assemble, layer the pudding with banana slices and vanilla wafers in a serving dish. This layering creates a beautiful presentation and ensures every bite has a bit of everything. Chill the pudding in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours to set.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • Rich, buttery caramel flavor that balances perfectly with sweet bananas.
  • Easy-to-follow recipe with a stunning presentation.
  • Makes for a great make-ahead dessert, ideal for entertaining.

Ingredients

3 ripe bananas, sliced
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1/4 cup water
2 cups whole milk
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup cornstarch
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups vanilla wafer cookies
1/2 cup whipped cream for topping

Step-by-step Instructions

1. In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter, then add sugar and water, stirring until it caramelizes to a golden brown.
2. Slowly whisk in the milk and heavy cream, letting it simmer until the caramel is dissolved.
3. In a small bowl, mix cornstarch and salt with a splash of cold milk until smooth, then add to the caramel mixture.
4. Continue to cook, whisking constantly, until the pudding thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
5. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract.
6. Layer the pudding with banana slices and vanilla wafers in a serving dish.
7. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours before serving.
8. Top with whipped cream and additional banana slices before serving.

Ratings and Comments

Thank you for your rating!