Homemade Nilla Baked Banana Pudding Recipe

Looking for the old southern style recipe for homemade banana pudding from scratch? This is the original Nilla Baked Banana Pudding Recipe that my mother-in-law makes! So sweet and yummy! For more recipes like this one see my Desserts page.

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Every southern family has some form of homemade banana pudding recipe. It can be as simple as an instant pudding mix or a slow stovetop pudding mix, both topped with whipped cream.

In our house, the best banana pudding recipe is the old-fashioned made from scratch baked version with Nilla Wafers and topped with toasted meringue. 

This recipe originated on the back of a Nilla Wafer box. This classic dish has layers of Nilla Wafer cookies, made from scratch pudding, and yummy banana slices.

The best part is the lightly sweet meringue and its tall peaks toasted in the oven. Not a fan of meringue? Then simply top with your favorite whipped cream topping. Here is our version of this southern classic dessert! 

Can you use instant pudding mix in this recipe?

Yes! You can use instant pudding mixes in this recipe instead of making the pudding from scratch.

Cooked Instant Pudding and Pie Filling Version:

• 1 (possibly 2) large box(es) of Banana Cream Pudding and Pie Filling
• 3 cups of milk

Instructions:

• Add the mix and milk to a medium saucepan
• Bring pudding to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly
• Boil for around 5 minutes then let the pudding cool. It will thicken as it cools.
• Assemble the dessert by layering it with banana slices and cookies (see my recipe).

No-bake Instant Pudding Version:

• 1 (possibly 2) large box(es) of Banana Cream Instant Pudding
• 2 cups of milk

Instructions:

• Pour mix and milk into a large mixing bowl
• Whisk together for 2 minutes.
• The pudding will be soft and set within 5 minutes
• Assemble the dessert by layering it with banana slices and cookies (see my recipe).

For my recipe, 2 boxes of instant pudding may be needed to fill the dish. To be safe use two boxes. I would rather have too much pudding than not enough to create the recipe.

Nilla Baked Banana Pudding Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cup sugar, divided
• 2/3 cup all-purpose flour
• Dash salt
• 6 large eggs, separate egg yokes, with egg whites in a separate bowl
• 4 cups milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Aprox 45 NILLA Wafers, divided or any vanilla wafer cookies
• 5 ripe bananas, sliced (about 3 1/2 cups), divided

Instructions:

1. Add 1 cup of sugar, flour, and salt on top of a double boiler. Blend in 6 egg yolks and milk. Set aside egg whites in a bowl. Cook mixture, uncovered, over boiling water, stirring constantly until thickened. Around 5-10 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in vanilla.

2. Spread a small amount of warm pudding on the bottom of a 1 1/2-quart baking dish. Cover with a layer of vanilla wafer cookies and then a layer of banana slices. Pour 1/3 of pudding over bananas. Repeat to make 3 layers ending with pudding on top.

How to make the Meringue Topping

3. Using a stand mixer, beat egg whites until soft peaks form. Gradually add the remaining 1/2 cup sugar and beat until stiff peaks form. Spoon on top of the pudding, spreading evenly to cover the entire surface of the pudding.

4. Place in the oven at 425˚ degrees for 5-7 minutes until lightly browned. Cool and refrigerate. Keep refrigerated after serving.

More Dessert Recipes you May Like

• Foolproof 2 Ingredient Can Frosting Fudge
• Brookie Bars Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Brownie Recipe
• Perfect Eggless Edible Cookie Dough Recipe

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