Hi Bold Bakers! WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS RECIPE: All pudding lovers will agree that nothing else is so perfect as this 10-Minute Microwave Banana Pudding Recipe! Not only does it taste creamy and rich, but it also looks absolutely gorgeous with all those lovely layers! Already have an account?
With ONLY 10 minutes of cooking, using a few tools and ingredients, you’ll have a delicious Microwave Banana Pudding recipe prepared for friends and family. We’ve been baking for a long time, and we’ve come to realize our kind of dessert is one that checks off all the marks of flavor, texture, appearance, and convenience. If you’re like us and want something that incorporates all of these components, you’re in luck! Our Microwave Banana Puddingrecipe has got everything from sweet and creamy vanilla pudding, crunchy Homemade Nilla Wafers, and ripe bananas topped with airy whipped cream. It’s a lovely mixture of vanilla and banana flavors and looks fantastic when layered together in a glass bowl.
IMPORTANT NOTE: This recipe was improved and updated on 7/2/2024, to include NEW STEP-BY-STEP photography, explanations of key ingredients, and more Pro Chef Tips.
Table Of Contents
What Is Microwave Banana Pudding?
Banana Pudding, also known as banana cream pudding, is a pudding that consists of layers of vanilla custard, Nilla Wafers, and sliced bananas topped with whipped cream.
Popular methods of preparing this pudding are baking or refrigerating – though the latter is easier for many beginner bakers. The only difference in our recipe is that everything can be made conveniently in the microwave (no need to bake in oven!) It’s very similar to an English trifle with its many layers. This delectable dessert was first recorded in a Massachusett-based Good Housekeeping issue in 1888. However, Banana pudding picked up in popularity in the 1940s when Nabisco, the company that created box vanilla wafers, placed an official banana pudding recipe on their boxes. Ever since, it has become a crowd favorite, especially in Southern America – there’s even a two-day National Pudding Festival in Centerville, Tennessee that occurs on the first weekend of October!
Tools You Need To Make Banana Pudding:
Measuring cups and spoons Mixing bowls Whisk Plastic wrap Stand mixer with a whisk attachment (alternatively, medium bowl and a handheld electric mixer) Silicone spatula
Ingredients You Need To Make Banana Pudding:
Eggs Egg yolks Provide richness and a smooth texture to the custard. Act as a thickening agent when combined with heat and cornstarch. Use good quality large eggs, and make sure to only use the yolks! Save egg whites to make Homemade Nilla Wafers for this recipe. Or freeze them for future indulgence including Lemon Meringue Cake, , Meringue Roulade, or Swiss Meringue Buttercream! Granulated sugar Granulated sugar, or white sugar, will give the perfect amount of sweetness. It also helps to stabilize the structure of the custard. Cornstarch Cornstarch, or cornflour, is a great ingredient for thickening your custard. Helps prevent curdling of the egg yolks during cooking. Salt Enhances the overall flavor of the pudding by balancing sweetness and other flavors. Just a pinch will do the trick! Whole milk Whole milk provides the liquid base for the custard and adds richness and creaminess to the pudding. We use some full-fat milk for our recipes. Butter Butter adds extra richness to the flavor of your custard. For even incorporation, dice before using. Vanilla extract Vanilla extract enhances the rest of your ingredients. Make Homemade Vanilla Extract for a challenge! Heavy cream Also known as heavy whipping cream, this cream will give your pudding that creamy texture. Powdered sugar Powdered sugar is white sugar ground into a fine powder. Try making your own Powdered Sugar! Bananas You can’t have Banana Pudding without delicious, ripe bananas! Nilla Wafers These cookies are the quintessential flavor of a banana pudding. You can use store-bought Nilla Wafers or make them from scratch using my Homemade Nilla Wafers recipe.
How To Make Microwave Banana Pudding
To Make the Custard:
To Assemble the Pudding:
Gemma’s Pro Chef Tips:
Every microwave is different so times may vary. Our microwave is 1200 watts, and the timing for this recipe is based on this. Your microwave may need more or less time. Be sure to microwave the custard for a full minute after it bubbles up to fully cook and activate the cornstarch. The cornstarch will prevent the eggs from curdling, but it is still best to strain the mixture after it is cooked for the smoothest results. Use our Homemade Nilla Wafers recipe to elevate your Banana Pudding! To prevent browning, slice the bananas just before you assemble the pudding and make sure the slices are completely covered with pudding.
Can I Make Banana Pudding Ahead Of Time?
You can definitely make Microwave Banana Pudding ahead of time! You can make the pudding 24 hours in advance. However, I recommend waiting to assemble the pudding on the day you want to serve it. This is because sliced bananas tend to turn brown very quickly, so it’s better to assemble them a few hours before.
How To Store Microwave Banana Pudding
Though I recommend enjoying your Banana Pudding the day of, you can store your leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 72 hours. Transfer your pudding into an airtight container, and place plastic wrap directly on the surface of the pudding, getting into the crevices to ensure a tight seal. Then, close your container with the lid.
Why is my Banana Pudding runny? The last thing you want is for your creamy Homemade Banana Pudding to turn out runny. You may have overmixed your ingredients. To fix runny Banana Pudding, you can pop your custard in the microwave a bit longer or add in just a bit more cornstarch. Be sure not to microwave your pudding for too long or add too much cornstarch or else your pudding may turn out too thick and not have that nice and creamy texture. Why is my Banana Pudding lumpy? Your pudding may be lumpy due to curdling. Curdling occurs when the egg is cooked too fast or too long, causing the proteins to coagulate and then separate. To smooth out lumpy pudding, whisk your mixture a bit more to break down any clumps. Can I freeze my Banana Pudding? Just like many foods and desserts, you can freeze your Banana Pudding. But, the question becomes whether or not it will taste good after defrosting. Unfortunately, because of the moisture levels in the pudding alongside the browning of the banana, the consistency and color will no longer be the same after freezing. I recommend leaving leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days before discarding them. If you really want to save it, you can freeze it in an airtight container for up to a month. What should I do if I don’t have a stand mixer or electric hand mixer? Though using a stand mixer or electric hand mixer will make your job a lot easier, there’s nothing a little elbow grease can’t fix. You can use a whisk to whisk ingredients (all wet and dry). Make sure to thoroughly combine.
More Pudding Recipes:
South African Malva Pudding Bailey’s Chocolate Pudding Brownie Bread Pudding Microwave Sticky Toffee Pudding 10-Minute Chocolate Pudding
And don’t miss more everyday baking recipes in my NEW Bigger Bolder Baking Every Day Cookbook! IMPORTANT NOTE: This recipe was improved and updated on 7/2/2024, to include NEW STEP-BY-STEP photography, explanations of key ingredients, and more Pro Chef Tips.
