Creamy Banana Pudding Trifle

Who can resist the classic, cool, creamy concoction of banana pudding and vanilla wafers? I’ll admit that I usually much prefer chocolate desserts, but this banana pudding trifle has nearly convinced me to change my mind. Not only does it make you feel like a rockstar for making banana pudding from scratch, but it is such a refreshing, delicious, crowd-pleasing dessert, that all the extra work (which really isn’t hard at all!) is worth it.

The depth of flavor from using roasted bananas morphs this popular pudding dessert into a whole new level. Rich, silky and absolutely tasty, this treat can be made up to two days in advance and actually benefits from a longer refrigeration time – helping the pudding set up and the flavors meld together. I brought this to a potluck BBQ and let me just tell you that kids and adults alike went crazy for it.

I think this dessert has a magical way of bringing out the kid in all of us. Lucky for whoever makes this, the presentation is pretty and elegant enough to serve toddlers or totterers. That is, until you dish it up, because despite my best efforts, it looked like complete slop when it was served. Oh well. It still tasted absolutely heavenly.

One Year Ago: Parker House Rolls
Two Years Ago: Fusilli alla Caprese

Creamy Banana Pudding Trifle
Printable Version with Picture
Printable Version

*Serves up to 12

*Note: this pudding can be made up to 2 days in advance!

INGREDIENTS:
Pudding:
7 slightly underripe large bananas (you want them slightly green on the ends – no spots!)
1 1/2 cups sugar
8 large egg yolks
6 tablespoons cornstarch
6 cups half-and-half
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
3 tablespoons lemon juice
1 (12-ounce) box vanilla wafers

Whipped Topping:
1 cup heavy cream, chilled
1 tablespoon powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

DIRECTIONS:
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees and make sure an oven rack is in the upper-middle position. Place three unpeeled bananas on the baking sheet and bake until the skins are completely black, about 20 minutes. Let the bananas cool for 5 minutes.

While the bananas are roasting, whisk 1/2 cup sugar, egg yolks, and cornstarch together in a medium bowl until smooth. In a large saucepan, bring the half-and-half, remaining sugar and salt to a simmer over medium heat. Once simmering, whisk 1/2 of the hot half-and-half mixture into the egg yolk mixture, whisking quickly and constantly so the egg yolks don’t overcook and form little lumps. Slowly whisk the tempered egg yolk mixture back into the saucepan. Cook, whisking constantly, until the mixture is thick and large bubbles are popping at the surface, about 2-3 minutes. Remove the pudding from the heat and stir in the butter and vanilla.

Transfer the pudding to a food processor (if your food processor is small, puree half the pudding with the roasted bananas and lemon juice and then transfer it all to a large bowl and whisk in the rest of the pudding). Add the warm, peeled roasted bananas and 2 tablespoons lemon juice and puree until the mixture is smooth. Scrape the pudding into a large bowl and place plastic wrap directly on the surface of the pudding to avoid a skin forming. Refrigerate until the pudding is mostly cool, about 1 1/2 hours.

Cut the remaining bananas into 1/4-inch slices and toss in a bowl with the remaining 1 tablespoon lemon juice. Spoon 1/4 of the pudding into a 3-quart trifle dish and top with a layer of cookies, layer of sliced bananas, and another layer of cookies, making sure cookies go all the way to the edges of the dish. Repeat twice, ending with the pudding. Place another sheet of plastic wrap directly touching the surface and refrigerate until the wafers have softened, at least 8 hours or up to 2 days.

To garnish, whip the cream, sugar and vanilla to stiff peaks in a medium bowl. Top the banana pudding with the whipped cream. Serve!

Recipe Source: adapted slightly from Cook’s Country Aug/Sept 2010