If you’re looking for a homemade dessert recipe that’s equal parts easy and delicious, you just found it with this banana custard recipe. It uses all of seven ingredients (not counting the optional but highly recommended fresh mint) and involves only five minutes of prep to prepare a banana custard pudding you’ll adore.
In fact, the only challenging part of this custard with banana is waiting for it to chill properly. We can’t tell you how to spend the hour this custard needs to cool down in the fridge, but we can tell you the wait is worth it. Let’s not wait any longer to get to the recipe, though.
Ingredients for Banana Custard Pudding
- Sugar: Yes, there is a good deal of sugar in this recipe and yes, that’s pretty much why it’s so amazing.
- Cornstarch: Be precise with your measurement of the cornstarch to ensure the banana custard has just the right consistency.
- Salt: The little portion of salt helps balance the sweetness, letting the other ingredients express themselves.
- Milk: This recipe is best when made with whole milk, but 2% is fine if that’s what you have.
- Egg yolks: The yolks should be lightly beaten and whisked until they are even and smooth. Be sure not to create a stiff consistency.
- Vanilla extract: This potent elixir is every bit as important for the flavor of this dessert as the banana itself.
- Banana: This custard calls for one medium-sliced banana. Note that you want a firm banana, not an overly ripe and mushy one.
- Fresh mint: A few fresh mint leaves are an optional garnish that adds a welcome pop of color and enhances flavor, too.
Directions
Step 1: Combine ingredients and simmerÂ
In a small saucepan combine the sugar, cornstarch and salt. Then add in the milk, stirring until the mixture is smooth. Cook the liquid, stirring often, over medium-high heat until it has thickened and grown bubbly.
As soon as it bubbles, reduce the heat to low, then cook and stir for two minutes longer. Remove the milk mixture from the heat. Stir a small amount of the hot filling into the egg yolks, combining these well, then return the yolks and milk blend to the pan, stirring constantly. Bring things to a gentle boil, then cook and stir for two minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and gently stir in vanilla.
Step 2: Chill the custard and serve
Cover the sweetened milk mixture and chill it for at least one hour. Just before serving, fold in the thinly sliced banana and portion it into bowls. Garnish these with fresh mint if desired.
Banana Custard Pudding Variations
- Freeze it into pops: You can make a wonderful summertime treat by preparing this custard and instead of serving it in bowls, scoop it into popsicle molds. Let them freeze overnight (or at least for three hours) and enjoy.
- Drizzle on chocolate: Sure, fresh mint is a great garnish but you know what else works well, chocolate sauce. A few stripes of sweet chocolate syrup make a wonderful topper for this banana custard pudding.
- Halve the sugar: For a less sweet and healthier take on this banana pudding, cut the sugar in half. It will still be a treat
How to Store Banana Custard Pudding
This banana custard pudding will keep in the fridge for up to three days but is best within two days. Either way, it needs to be sealed in an airtight container.
Can you freeze banana custard pudding?
Yes, you can freeze this banana custard pudding, as mentioned above, but you should only do so if you plan to consume it as a frozen treat. Thawed out, this banana custard will be mushy and unpleasant.
Banana Custard Pudding Tips
What should I serve with this banana custard pudding?
This custard pairs beautifully with a slice of pie, such as classic apple pie or peach pie, but it’s also great when served with tea or coffee. In fact, the robust, toasty taste of a strong cup of coffee is the perfect counterpoint to this rich, sweet pudding.
How do I stop my bananas from browning in my pudding?
This banana custard is best made and enjoyed right away, as sliced bananas start to brown fast, and will do so even in the fridge. If you are making a large batch and are sure you will have leftovers, consider lightly brushing the banana slices in lemon juice before folding them in, as this will slow their browning considerably.
Is this a healthy dessert recipe?
While fresh bananas are quite nutritious, this is still a decadent treat, not a healthy food. There are nearly 35 grams of sugar per serving, which is why some people like to sacrifice the sweetness by cutting down on the sugar.
