| Banana pudding | |
| Country: | United States[1] |
| Region: | Southern United States |
| Course: | Dessert |
| Type: | Pudding |
| Main Ingredient: | Bananas, Vanilla Wafers or ladyfingers, custard, vanilla flavoring |
Banana pudding (sometimes banana cream pudding) is a pudding generally consisting of layers of sweet vanilla flavored custard, vanilla wafers and/or ladyfingers and sliced fresh bananas placed in a dish and served, topped with whipped cream or meringue.[2]
It is commonly associated with Southern US cuisine, but it can be found around the country and specific areas.[3]
A typical method for making banana pudding is to repeatedly layer the bananas, custard, and wafers into a dish and top with whipped cream or meringue. Over time, the wafers will absorb the custard and the layers will press together causing the flavors to intermingle.[4]
Banana pudding can be prepared using a baked or refrigerated method, with the latter being the more popular, particularly among home cooks. Moreover, many recipes have been adapted using vanilla or banana pudding instead of a true custard. Other recipes omit the wafers.
The National Banana Pudding Festival is held at the Centerville River Park in Centerville, Tennessee. It is a 2-day event held on the first weekend of October.[5]