Scratch Banana Pudding: Quick and Easy!

How long has it been since you had banana pudding made from"scratch"? If you have not been to Grandma's house lately, it has probably been a long time! Banana pudding in restaurants is made with Jell-O pudding mix so it will retain its shape and color for a longer time. It may be "healthier" and keep longer but it is not nearly as good as banana pudding made from "scratch"! We have a recipe in our family that is quick and easy and extra good.

Ingredients:

One box vanilla wafers
4 to 5 bananas
¾ cup sugar
3 egg yolks (brown eggs are better or "yard eggs" if you can get them). Brown eggs or "yard eggs" have a deeper orange color and gives the pudding a beautiful golden color. They are also richer. Pudding made with regular store eggs just looks anemic.
1 teaspoon vanilla flavoring
2 ½ level tablespoons flour
2 ½ cups milk (I do use 2% milk)

Vanilla wafers and bananas:

In a large glass bowl, alternate layers of vanilla wafers and bananas. About ¾ of a box of vanilla wafers is enough for the amount of pudding this recipe makes; however, you can use the entire box if you wish. If the grandchildren are around, they usually eat the extras! Set bowl aside. I do not cut the bananas until I am ready to assemble the pudding as they will turn dark quickly once cut.

Pudding:

In a saucepan mix the sugar and flour well. Add egg yolks, flavoring and ½ cup milk. Mix thoroughly. Add the rest of the milk and mix again. Cook on medium high heat until pudding begins to warm, and then turn to medium heat. Stir gently and constantly or pudding will stick to the bottom of the pan. If the pudding begins to stick to the bottom of the pan, turn the heat down some more. You cannot leave the stirring to do anything else while cooking. This job was usually given to the teen-age girls while the women continued putting the meal on the table.

Cook the pudding until it just begins to boil when stirring is paused (about 20 minutes). Pour immediately over vanilla wafers and bananas in the bowl. Best when served warm.

Topping:

Most recipes tell you to add meringue to the top of the banana pudding and brown, or you can use cool whip. My family never cared for the meringue so we do not use any topping. Nothing is lost from the flavor and if I need to make it pretty for guests, I just add cool whip to each serving.

This desert takes no more that 30 minutes to make and is extremely delicious! No need to figure the calorie count or fat content per serving because if you need to do that, you should not eat this! Just use sparingly and on special occasions.

From our home to yours. Enjoy!