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Few desserts capture Southern nostalgia the way homemade banana pudding does. Layered with velvety vanilla custard, sweet bananas, crunchy vanilla wafers, and a billowy baked meringue, this made-from-scratch classic tastes like something straight from a Sunday family table. No shortcuts — just true, traditional comfort.

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🍌 Southern-Style Banana Pudding (From Scratch)

🧂 Ingredients

For the Custard

Ingredient	Amount
Granulated sugar	1 cup
All-purpose flour	½ cup
Salt	½ tsp
Whole milk	2 cups
Ripe bananas, sliced thin	4–5
Vanilla wafers	1 box
Pure vanilla extract	1 tsp
Unsalted butter	1 tbsp
Large egg yolks	4

Tip: Lightly toss your banana slices with lemon juice or keep them covered to prevent browning.

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For the Meringue

Ingredient	Amount
Egg whites (room temperature)	4
Granulated sugar	5 tbsp
Cream of tartar	¼ tsp
Vanilla extract	½ tsp

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👩‍🍳 Instructions

1️⃣ Preheat & Prepare

Heat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×9-inch baking dish and cover the bottom with a layer of vanilla wafers to form the foundation.

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2️⃣ Combine Dry Ingredients

Whisk the sugar, flour, and salt together in a bowl. This will be the thickening base for your custard.

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3️⃣ Cook the Custard

In a heavy saucepan, beat the egg yolks. Slowly incorporate the dry mixture, alternating with the milk and vanilla.
Cook over medium heat, stirring nonstop, until the mixture thickens into a smooth pudding.
Blend in the butter and mix until melted and fully combined.

Keep the heat steady and stir constantly to prevent scorching.

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4️⃣ Layer the Pudding

Arrange banana slices over the wafers. Pour half of the warm custard across the bananas.
Add another layer of wafers and bananas, then spread the remaining custard on top.

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5️⃣ Prepare the Meringue

In a spotless, grease-free bowl, whip the egg whites until soft peaks form. Add cream of tartar.
Slowly beat in the sugar, one tablespoon at a time, until the whites reach stiff peaks.
Fold in the vanilla extract gently.

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6️⃣ Top & Bake

Spread the meringue over the entire surface, touching the edges of the dish to keep it from shrinking.
Bake for 12–15 minutes, or until beautifully golden.

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7️⃣ Cool & Enjoy

Let the pudding cool on the counter.
Serve warm for that classic cozy feel, or chill it for a refreshing, cool treat.