When a Southerner wants banana pudding, this is the one they’re craving — the beloved recipe printed on the back of the Nabisco ‘Nilla Wafers box for decades. Generations grew up watching it come together in the family kitchen: layers of vanilla custard, ripe bananas, and golden wafers topped with glossy meringue peaks. It’s even better when made in Grandma’s yellow Pyrex bowl, the same one that held Sunday popcorn or biscuit dough. The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity — a pure, comforting dessert that still tastes like home.
INGREDIENTS:
3/4 cup sugar, divided
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
Dash salt
3 eggs, separated
2 cups milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
45 Nabisco NILLA Wafers, divided (preferred)
5 ripe bananas, sliced (about 3 1/2 cups), divided
Additional vanilla wafers and banana slices, for garnish
METHOD:
In the top of a double boiler, combine ½ cup sugar, flour, and salt. Whisk in the egg yolks and milk until smooth. Cook over gently boiling water, stirring constantly, for 10–12 minutes or until thickened. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
Reserve 10 wafers for garnish. Spread a small amount of the custard on the bottom of a 1½-quart casserole or deep glass bowl. Layer one-third of the wafers, one-third of the banana slices, and one-third of the remaining custard. Repeat the layers two more times, ending with custard on top.
In a clean bowl, beat the egg whites on medium speed until soft peaks form. Gradually add the remaining ¼ cup sugar and continue beating until glossy, stiff peaks form.
Spoon the meringue over the warm pudding, spreading it to the edges of the dish to seal. Bake on the upper rack of a preheated 350°F oven for 15–20 minutes, or until the meringue is lightly golden.
Southern variation: For a quick golden top, bake at 425°F on the lower rack for 5 minutes, just until the meringue begins to color.
Let the pudding cool slightly, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving. Garnish with the reserved wafers and banana slices just before serving.
SERVING SUGGESTIONS:
- Serve slightly warm for a softer, nostalgic texture, or chilled for a firmer custard.
- For an elegant twist, serve in individual glass dishes or parfait glasses with a wafer tucked on top.
- Pair with a cup of strong coffee or sweet tea for the perfect Southern finish.
- Add a dollop of whipped cream for a modern touch (though Grandma might not approve!).
YIELD: Makes 8 servings
