Homemade vanilla custard layered with sliced bananas, buttery shortbread cookies, and fresh whipped cream. A no-shortcut Southern classic — the dessert that makes any gathering feel like a celebration.
Ingredients
Homemade Vanilla Pudding
- 2 cups whole milk
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 3 Tbsp cornstarch
- ¼ tsp salt
- 2 large egg yolks
- 2 Tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 tsp pure vanilla extract Whipped Cream
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 2 Tbsp powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract For Assembly
- 4 ripe bananas, sliced
- 2 cups shortbread cookies, broken into pieces
Instructions
Make the Pudding In a medium saucepan, whisk milk, sugar, cornstarch, and salt until smooth. Cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, until thickened and bubbling.
In a small bowl, whisk egg yolks. Slowly pour ½ cup hot pudding into yolks to temper.
Whisk yolk mixture back into saucepan. Cook 1 additional minute.
Remove from heat and stir in butter and vanilla. Cover surface with plastic wrap and cool completely.
Make the Whipped Cream Beat heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla until stiff peaks form. Combine Gently fold whipped cream into cooled pudding until light and fluffy.
Assemble In a trifle dish or jars, layer cookies, bananas, and pudding mixture. Repeat layers until filled.
Chill at least 2 hours before serving.