I love to make this recipe when I know I am having people over for a gathering or a dinner party. There’s just enough vanilla flavor in the creamy recipe for it to stand out without being too cloyingly sweet, so it gives balance to every spoonful of the layered dessert. Vanilla pudding might seem boring, but the rich flavor and gorgeous texture of this from-scratch version are components that make it anything but. How can you not love it? I grew up on instant pudding and pre-made pudding packs as a kid, so there’s a special place in my heart for this particular dessert, in all of its many forms. I know that some people don’t like pudding, but I’ll say it: those are some crazy people. The crust is replaced by my all-time favorite cookie – the humble vanilla wafer.įresh banana slices provide just the right amount of flavor, and the creamy homemade vanilla pudding is the glue that brings it all together, with a rich base that’s somewhere between a traditional custard made with eggs, and a cooked pudding made with flour, or other types of thickeners like cornstarch.

Just look at those gorgeously simple layers, and the un-fussy presentation. It has all the classic flavors of a banana cream pie, but it’s easier to make. That’s why this old fashioned recipe is a pure revelation. One of the toughest things about getting that recipe right is preparing the perfect pie crust, no easy feat for the less baking-inclined among us. When it comes to making banana cream pie – a truly delicious one – it takes a good amount of time to whip up everything from the topping to the crust. I ate three slices and I was not ashamed. It was creamy and rich, flavorful, and completely addictive. When I tasted it, the flavors of the banana and the homemade pudding filled my mouth with goodness. My ex’s mom would spend hours making the banana cream pie, preparing every component from scratch. Apparently, this kind of cream pie was a huge deal for them to make and enjoy every year during the holiday season. It was Christmas dinner at an old boyfriend’s house, years ago. I remember the first time I had banana cream pie. Let me start by extending a warm welcome to all who want to venture down this flavorful and oh-so-tasty road with me. Who doesn’t love the delicious combination of bananas and pudding?

Vanilla wafers