Banana pudding (sometimes banana cream pudding) is a pudding generally consisting of layers of sweet vanilla flavored custard, vanilla wafers and/or ladyfingers and sliced fresh bananas placed in a dish and served, topped with whipped cream or meringue.[2]

Banana pudding
Banana pudding served in a bowl with vanilla wafers
TypePudding
CourseDessert
Place of originUnited States[1]
Region or stateSouthern United States[1]
Main ingredientsBananas, Vanilla Wafers or ladyfingers, custard, vanilla flavoring

It is commonly associated with Southern US cuisine, but it can be found around the country and specific areas.[3]

Ingredients and preparation

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A typical method for making banana pudding is to repeatedly layer the bananas, custard, and wafers into a dish and top with whipped cream or meringue. Over time, the wafers will absorb the custard and the layers will press together causing the flavors to intermingle.[4]

Banana pudding can be prepared using a baked or refrigerated method, with the latter being the more popular, particularly among home cooks. Moreover, many recipes have been adapted using vanilla or banana pudding instead of a true custard. Other recipes omit the wafers.

National Banana Pudding Festival

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The National Banana Pudding Festival is held at the Centerville River Park in Centerville, Tennessee. It is a 2-day event held on the first weekend of October.[5]

Similar dishes

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  • Banana cream pie is a dish of Southern cuisine that includes bananas and custard in a prebaked pie crust, topped with whipped cream
  • Trifle, a dish in English cuisine that combines fruit and custard layered with sponge cake and topped with whipped creame

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Mary Harris Frazer, The Kentucky Receipt Book (BiblioBazaar, October 9, 2008), page 221. ISBN 0-559-33134-7
  2. ^ Rosengarten, David (November 2003). "Southern Banana Pudding". The Splendid Table (American Public Media). Archived from the original on 2022-09-20. Retrieved 2022-09-17.
  3. ^ Richard Sax, Classic Home Desserts: A Treasury of Heirloom and Contemporary Recipes from Around the World (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, April 1, 2000), page 138. ISBN 0-618-00391-6
  4. ^ Tomlinson, Tommy. "Food." Our State Magazine. Web. 21 Feb. 2012. <http://www.ourstate.com/banana-pudding/ Archived 2015-07-16 at the Wayback Machine>.
  5. ^ "National Banana Pudding Festival returns for 9th year in Centerville". The Daily Herald. September 8, 2018. Archived from the original on September 11, 2018. Retrieved March 9, 2020.