Southern Banana Pudding
I used a 26cm x 20cm (approx. 2.4litre casserole dish) for this recipe. Scale it up or down depending on how much you want to make. This made around 10 serves.
Ingredients:
Custard:
- 1 can sweetened condensed milk (395 g)
- 3 cups (750 ml) cold milk
- 4 Tbsp vanilla custard powder (add more if it needs thickening – we find it the thicker the better!)
- 1 cup (250 ml) fresh cream, whipped till just thickened/holding peaks (helps keep custard light/airy)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt (optional)
Layers:
- 200gm packet of Ladyfingers. I find they soak up the custard better if sliced in half. It’s messy, but they don’t have to be perfect. Save the crumbs created to sprinkle on top! You can use layers of whole lady fingers, but it will possibly need more custard and longer to soak in/soften the fingers.
- 4-5 small-medium bananas, sliced thin (ripe but firm)
Optional topping:
- Extra whipped cream
- Crumbled ladyfingers or favourite biscuit
- Light dusting of cinnamon
- Ice cream
Instructions:
Make the custard:
1. In a saucepan mix the custard powder and ¼ cup of the milk to a smooth paste. Add the remaining milk and heat gently, stirring constantly until the custard boils and thickens. Turn off heat.
2. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla and condensed milk. Allow the custard to cool until just warm, then gently fold in the whipped cream.
Assemble:
1. Spread a thin layer of custard in the bottom of your dish. Add a layer of ladyfingers, then a layer of sliced bananas. Cover with custard. Repeat layering. I have found this layering works well:
custard-ladyfingers-banana-custard-ladyfingers-banana-ladyfingers-finish with a thick custard layer on top so all the fingers are covered.
3. cover with cling wrap (I lay it on top of the custard to stop a skin forming.
4. Chill!
Refrigerate for at least 4 hours, 6 hrs worked great for me or you can leave it overnight. The ladyfingers will soften and the flavours will meld beautifully. If using whole ladyfingers, I would say overnight is best.
Notes:
- Cut bananas just before using to avoid browning.
- if the custard is too lumpy for any reason, you can spoon it through a sieve
- Best enjoyed within 24hrs.