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Southern banana pudding has long stood as a symbol of comfort, tradition, and love in African American cuisine. It’s Southern comfort food at its finest, and what we proudly call soul food!

Homemade banana pudding evokes memories of warm Southern hospitality and often graces tables at family gatherings, cookouts, and holiday meals, fostering a sense of togetherness that is hard to replicate. Its presence signifies a celebration of soul food heritage, honoring the simplicity of a few high-quality ingredients transformed into a delicious masterpiece!

BBlack Folks Southern Banana Pudding Recipe

Artfully layered with cookies, ripe bananas, and creamy custard, topped off with a delightful layer of whipped cream. Growing up in the South, I’ve had the pleasure of enjoying this delightful treat throughout my life. But how do you make banana pudding the Black way?

Southern banana pudding the Black way

The secrets to making Southern banana pudding have been passed down through generations in my family, beginning with my Great-grandma Florence, an esteemed caterer who taught my dad how to achieve silky-smooth pudding using her professional stand mixer. Banana pudding became his signature dessert for our special occasions, always rich, creamy, and unforgettable. The decadent whipped topping comes from my mom’s Southern North Carolina recipe. I remember watching her expertly layer whipped cream not just on top, but in between the layers for an extra indulgent touch. This ultimate Black folks’ Southern banana pudding is more than dessert. It’s a legacy of soul food flavor and cherished family tradition. Learn more about the Black history of banana pudding HERE.

Ingredients

Bananas –You will need ripe bananas (but not overripe) to prepare this recipe. Look for firm bananas with bright yellow skin and brown spots.
Vanilla pudding– You could make homemade vanilla pudding. But Black foodies have found that “old-school soul food banana pudding” is still just as tasty and easily accessible for anyone to prepare quickly with instant pudding.
Nilla Wafers – The dessert base starts with the iconic Nilla Wafers. There’s simply no substitute for this classic cookie. For the best results (and the most authentic flavor), stick with the original!
Whole milk – is another key ingredient to a pudding. Whole milk adds rich milky flavor and smooth texture to your dessert.
Whipped cream – For an extra creamy texture, add whipped cream. Banana pudding becomes instantly more decadent and indulgent with this luscious finishing touch. For an alternative topping, try my classic old-fashioned banana pudding recipe, featuring traditional meringue!
Cream cheese – This secret ingredient enhances the flavor of the banana pudding and thickens its consistency, preventing it from becoming watery.

How to make Southern banana pudding the Black way

Making this dish may seem complicated at first due to its layers. But it’s actually quite simple to prepare once you know what ingredients are needed. Even if you’re short on time, this Southern dessert can be ready quickly!

Make the pudding and set it aside in the refrigerator.
Mix the whipped topping and set aside.
Layer the dessert with the cookies, bananas, pudding, whipped topping, and repeat!
Let the banana pudding chill in the fridge for at least 2 hours. Chilling also makes it easier to slice.

How to keep bananas from browning

If you are preparing your banana pudding ahead of time, you can prep all the ingredients and keep them separated until you’re ready to serve.

However, you should only peel and slice the bananas when ready to add them to the pudding. This will prevent the bananas from browning right away and ensure they look fresh when you serve the banana pudding at the dessert table.

How To Make Banana Pudding The Black Way

Storing leftovers

While the pudding may still be good, the bananas will brown when exposed to oxygen. Bananas oxidize more quickly than other fruits and vegetables. Despite the browning, this banana pudding recipe remains good in the refrigerator while stored in an airtight container for 3 to 5 days.