This week Grammy J came over to have a special day with little momma and teach her how to make Grammy J’s famous Homemade Banana Pudding recipe. Now let me just say that I’m not a fan of banana desserts in general, but when I tried Grammy J’s banana pudding—well, let’s just say it changed my life. Now I’m a huge banana pudding fan, but only if it’s Grammy J’s homemade banana pudding. She has ruined me for life I tell you. I can’t even eat Banana Pudding at Red Rock—our favorite restaurant—because it doesn’t compare to Grammy J’s banana pudding.
This recipe was passed down to Grammy J from her mother and these pictures make my heart happy, watching Grammy J pass the tradition down to her only granddaughter. Oh yes and I have to mention the matching aprons I got Emmy and Grammy J because I’m obsessed with this Thimblepress Mother’s Day Collection at Target. I knew Grammy J and little momma had to have them for their Banana Pudding Day. You can shop the aprons and some of my favorite kitchen products here.
So let’s talk Banana Pudding! Here is what you will need to make Grammy J’s Homemade Banana Pudding Recipe:
2/3 cup sugar
3 Tbsp cornstarch
1T butter
1 1/2 tsp real vanilla (if you use imitation vanilla we can’t be friends and also your banana pudding won’t be any good—just keepin it real)
1 tsp salt
3 cup whole milk
3 egg yolks slightly beaten (separate the egg whites and set aside if you want to make a meringue topping for the pudding)
2 bananas
Vanilla Wafers to layer – Grammy J says you have to buy the right brand and Sunshine brand are the best.
*This recipe is also the same recipe her mom used for vanilla cream pie and coconut pie. Basically you can pour it in a pie shell and add coconut and do a meringue topping for pie and it’s pure amazingness. We always at least double the banana pudding recipe because let’s be honest, one batch isn’t enough. Here are the step by step instructions for Grammy J’s Homemade Banana Pudding.
1. Separate the egg yolks.
2. Whisk the eggs until slightly beaten.
3. Stir together the dry ingredients in a sauce pan – cornstarch, sugar, and salt.
4. Add in the milk.
5. Turn the stove on low. Now listen up – Grammy J says this is the most important part – You can not leave the stove even for one second. You have to sit and stir the pudding, not letting it stick to the bottom of the pan, until the mixture thickens and starts to boil. It could take up to 30 min or longer if you double it and yes, it’s worth it. Pull up a chair, pour a glass of wine, and turn your favorite tv show on. You’ve got this.
Little momma’s got this.
Still stirring. I love this picture so much.
6. You will literally stir the mixture while it cooks on low for a very long time. Eventually, you will notice it start to thicken, then it will start to bubble. Once it bubbles, you want to let it for 1 min—no longer—then take it off the heat. You will pour half the mixture into the eggs then stir well.
7. Now you pour the egg and 1/2 of the milk mixture you just stirred back into the pan to add it to the rest of the milk mixture. Stir well.
8. Add the real vanilla and butter to the mixture and stir well.
Now you will layer wafers, bananas, then several spoonfuls of the pudding. Make sure you cover the bananas well with the pudding. Keep layering until you run out of the pudding then top with Nilla wafers.
Cover and let the Banana Pudding chill overnight. Right before serving, add bananas and sprinkle with sugar. You also can use egg whites to make a meringue topping if you prefer that look.
Enjoy y’all! Let me know if you’re brave and you make this. I promise you won’t regret it! And a big thanks to Grammy J for coming over and sharing this tradition with us. Next up is your meatloaf Grammy J. You know how I feel about your meatloaf.
If you prefer to just read the instructions you cook here they are:
Mix together sugar, salt and cornstarch in sauce pan. Slowly add milk and stir constantly over low to medium heat. Continue stirring till mixture comes to a boil, this will take some time, boil 1 minute then remove from heat and add half of the mixture to slightly beaten eggs, stir and combine both mixtures over heat and boil 1 more minute. Remove from heat and add butter and vanilla. Let cool, then start layering vanilla wafers, bananas and pudding, ending with wafers. (don’t use artificial vanilla flavored waffles). Sunshine or Nabisco are the best.
