Welcome to the world of creamy, dreamy desserts! This Toasted Coconut Banana Pudding Delight combines the rich flavor of ripe bananas with the tropical twist of toasted coconut. Perfect for a sunny day or whenever you need a sweet escape, this dessert is both indulgent and refreshing.
Bananas bring natural sweetness and a creamy texture to the pudding. Choose ripe ones for the best flavor. Sugar sweetens the pudding base, while cornstarch thickens it to the perfect consistency. A pinch of salt balances the sweetness. Whole milk adds richness, and when combined with egg yolks, it forms the base of our custard. Unsalted butter gives a smooth finish, and vanilla extract adds a warm, inviting aroma. Sweetened shredded coconut, toasted to golden perfection, adds texture and a nutty flavor. Heavy cream whipped with powdered sugar and a dash of coconut extract creates a luscious topping. Finally, vanilla wafers add a delightful crunch and structure to the dessert layers.
This pudding pairs beautifully with a light fruit salad on the side. For a more decadent experience, serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. It’s also lovely with a glass of iced tea for a refreshing contrast.
Start by grabbing a medium saucepan. Mix together the sugar, cornstarch, and salt right in there. Slowly pour in the milk, giving it a good whisk to combine everything smoothly. Place the pan over medium heat and keep stirring. You’ll want to hang around for this part because it needs constant attention until it thickens and starts to bubble.
Meanwhile, separate four egg yolks into a bowl. Once your milk mixture is ready, slowly whisk half of it into the yolks. This step is crucial to avoid curdling. After that’s mixed, pour it all back into the saucepan. Cook for just a couple more minutes, keeping that spoon moving to prevent sticking.
Take it off the heat and stir in the butter and vanilla extract until the butter melts completely. Let it cool slightly before you start layering. In your chosen serving dish, layer slices of banana with vanilla wafers, then pour over some of the pudding. Repeat these layers until everything is used up.
For the topping, whip the heavy cream with powdered sugar and coconut extract until you see those soft peaks forming. Spread it over your pudding layers, and then sprinkle the toasted coconut on top. The final touch is to let it chill in the fridge for at least 2 hours so the flavors meld and the pudding sets beautifully.