Recipe: Banana Pudding Sundaes

updated Jan 22, 2020
summer
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Credit: Jeff Roffman
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(Image credit: Jeff Roffman)

There’s one fatal flaw of an ice cream sundae that keeps it from being fodder for front porch fare: it melts! A simple solution is to swap the ice cream for cool creamy vanilla pudding and build a beautiful little parfait that can be eaten on the front porch, stoop, or balcony without fear of ice cream puddles.

(Image credit: Jeff Roffman)

All About the Pudding

The hardest work you’ll do for this recipe is in making the vanilla pudding. Luckily, pudding is a dessert that only requires heating up the stove for about 10 minutes. Make the pudding at least two hours before you’d like to serve it, or up to three days in advance.

Then you’ll only need to pick up some bananas, chocolate wafer cookies, and sprinkles. Maraschino cherries are optional, but highly recommended.

Get the Classic Recipe: How To Make Banana Pudding

Front Porch Eats

As soon as summer obliges, the front porch transforms into our favorite room in the house. It becomes the gathering place for casual get-togethers, lingering conversation at sunset, and meals meant for sharing. The recipes in this series were made with that in mind. So the next time you head to your porch, stoop, or patio, give one of these dishes a try.

Banana Pudding Sundaes

Serves 8

Nutritional Info

Ingredients

For the pudding:

  • 1/2 cup

    granulated sugar

  • 1/4 cup

    cornstarch

  • 1/2 teaspoon

    fine salt

  • 2

    large eggs

  • 1

    large egg yolk

  • 2 cups

    whole milk

  • 1/2 cup

    heavy cream

  • 2 teaspoons

    vanilla extract

For building:

  • 3 slightly

    underripe bananas

  • 1 tablespoon

    freshly squeezed lemon juice

  • 1

    (9-ounce) package chocolate wafer cookies

  • 1 cup

    cold heavy cream

  • 2 tablespoons

    granulated sugar

  • Sprinkles

  • 8

    maraschino cherries

Instructions

  1. Place the sugar, cornstarch, and salt in a medium saucepan. Whisk together, breaking up any clumps in the sugar or starch. Add the eggs and egg yolk to the sugar mixture and whisk until completely smooth. Whisk in the milk and cream.

  2. Heat the mixture over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens and bubbles around the edges, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and whisk in the vanilla extract.

  3. Pour the custard into a 9x13-inch baking dish and spread into an even layer. Place a layer of plastic wrap directly onto the custard and chill for at least 2 hours or up to 3 days before building the trifle.

  4. Peel the bananas and slice into 1/4-inch-thick rounds. Place in a medium bowl, add the lemon juice, and toss to combine.

  5. Fill 8 custard cups or ramekins each with 1/4 cup pudding. Top each with 2 to 3 chocolate wafer cookies and a few slices of banana. Repeat layering until all the pudding has been used. Refrigerate while whipping the cream.

  6. Whip the cream in a stand mixer or with a hand mixer on medium speed until foamy. While whisking, add the sugar gradually, and continue whipping to stiff peaks.

  7. Top the banana puddings with the whipped cream, some sprinkles, and a cherry before serving.

Recipe Notes

  • Make ahead: The vanilla pudding can be made up to 3 days in advance.
  • Storage: Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days.