Homemade Banana Foster Pudding Recipe – Safe for Kids

If you love rich and creamy desserts, then Banana Foster Pudding is the perfect treat. This southern dessert is a blend of Banana’s Foster, Banana Cheesecake, and Banana Pudding, bringing out the best of all three. With its deep banana flavor, caramelized bananas, and a thick layer of whipped cream, every bite feels like a heavenly dessert.

The magic begins when plain banana slices are coated in a brown sugar and cinnamon mixture, then flambé with rum for an unforgettable depth of taste. The layers of homemade custard, vanilla banana custard, and vanilla wafers make it even better than a traditional recipe. Whether served in small cups or as a large dish, it’s a mouthwatering delight that can feed a crowd.

This dessert is super easy to prepare at home and doesn’t even require an oven. A mix of banana liqueur, cream, and pecans adds more flavor, while the slowly baked bread pudding and spiced cinnamon take it to the next level. Perfect for a Mardi Gras party, this New Orleans dessert is both famous and truly special. 

Whether you’re making it for a gathering or simply indulging yourself, this recipe has long been a favorite dessert in many family traditions. It’s a simple yet looks impressive dish that guarantees a wow moment with every bite!

Why You’ll Love This Banana Foster Pudding

This Bananas Foster inspired dessert is the perfect mix of rich flavors and smooth textures. With its cheesecake-like crust and soft banana pudding, every bite feels indulgent yet balanced. The layers of creamy goodness come together effortlessly, making it an impressive dish to serve in wine glasses for an elegant touch. 

What makes this pudding truly special is its simple yet rich ingredients, including pantry staples like eggs, sugar, milk, and bananas. The recipe is straightforward, with clear instructions that even a novice baker can follow, while experienced bakers will appreciate the depth of flavors.

This delicious treat is completely customizable, allowing you to modify it by adding nuts, chocolate chips, or a splash of rum to suit your taste preferences. Plus, you can make in advance and store it in the fridge for 1 or 2 days, so it’s always ready to enjoy. 

Also Read: Irresistible Crab Brulee Recipe – A Savory Delight!

Whether you’re preparing it for a great occasion, a family gathering, or a dinner party, this sweet and versatile dish is bound to impress. No matter how it’s served, it remains a comforting yet elevated dessert that will have everyone coming back for more!

Ingredients for a Perfect Banana Foster Pudding

• Egg Yolks: Using fresh, room-temperature yolks gives the pudding a rich, creamy texture and helps thicken it for that perfect custard feel.
• Sugar: A mix of granulated sugar, raw sugar, or brown sugar helps to sweeten the pudding, bringing out the banana flavor and its natural sweetness.
• Vanilla Extract: Just a splash of this adds a warm flavor, making the pudding even tastier with every bite.
• Bananas: The ripe ones are the star of the show, providing moisture and a fruity flavor that blends perfectly into the pudding.
• Milk:  Whole milk is the best choice for a creamy base that makes the pudding smooth and rich.
• Cornstarch:  Used without flour, this helps achieve that silky texture that makes the pudding thick yet light.
• Butter: Unsalted butter is preferred because it melts well, adding a rich flavor to the caramel sauce.
• Caramelized Sugar: When heated, the sugar caramelizes, creating a deep flavor and a lovely color that enhances the Banana Foster experience.

For the Crust

• 1 ¾ Cups Graham Cracker Crumbs

• ¼ Cup White Sugar
• ½ Cup Salted Butter – Melted

For the Pudding

• 1 package instant banana pudding mix

• 1 ¾ Cups cold milk

• 8 oz cream cheese, softened

For the Whipped Cream

• 1 Cup Heavy Whipping Cream

• 2 Tbsp. Powdered Sugar

• ½ tsp. Vanilla Extract

For the Banana’s Foster

• ¼ Cup Butter

• ⅔ Cup Dark Brown Sugar

• 3 ½ tablespoon Banana Liqueur

• 1 ½ tsp. Vanilla Extract

• ½ tsp. Ground Cinnamon

• 3 Bananas – Sliced

• ¼ Cup Walnuts – Chopped

Instructions

1. Whisk the egg yolks, milk, and half-and-half in a heavy-bottomed saucepan to create a smooth base for the pudding.
2. In a medium bowl, mix sugar, flour, and salt, then slowly stir it into the milk mixture while cooking over medium heat. Keep stirring constantly until it thickens, about 10 minutes.
3. Once the pudding thickens, remove from heat, then stir in vanilla and set aside to let the flavors blend.
4. In a large skillet, heat butter until melted. Add brown sugar and cinnamon and cook until it becomes bubbly. Then, add bananas and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until they soften.
5. Carefully add rum and ignite using a long match. Keep basting the bananas with the syrup until the flames subside, then let them cool slightly.
6. In a 3-quart baking dish or 9×13-inch pan, layer 1/3 of the vanilla wafers at the bottom. Then, add 1/3 of the banana mixture and 1/3 of the custard. Repeat this process two more times.
7. Cover the dish with plastic wrap and chill in the fridge for at least 4 hours to allow the flavors to develop.
8. Using an electric mixer, beat the cream until foamy. Add 2 tablespoons sugar and continue beating until soft peaks form.
9. Spread the whipped cream on top of the banana pudding and decorate with more vanilla wafers for a finishing touch.

Variations

• Spices: Adding a sprinkle of cardamom, ginger, cinnamon, or nutmeg gives the pudding an extra flavor boost, making each bite warm and aromatic.
• Salt: A pinch of salt helps bring out flavors, making the pudding even tastier without overpowering the sweetness.
• Different Fruits: If you want a fun twist, you can swap the bananas with mango, peach, or plum for a new take on the classic dessert.
• Alcohol: For an extra kick, mix in 1 ½ tablespoons of Scotch, rum, or brandy to the custard or Bananas Foster for a richer and deeper flavor.

Tips for Recipe Success

• Ripe Bananas: are key for a deep banana taste. Use overripe ones with brown spots as they are the sweetest and mash easily for a smooth pudding.
• Whisk Constantly: while cooking to prevent the eggs from curdling. This step is super important, especially after you add the egg yolks to keep the texture creamy.
• Test for Thickness: by checking if the pudding coats the back of a spoon. Run your finger through it—if the line stays clear, it’s just right.
• Be Cautious with Sugar: and mix it well with melted butter until it fully dissolves. This helps to avoid clumps and ensures the mixture caramelizes evenly.
• Optional Flambé: For an adventurous touch, add a splash of dark rum and flambé the bananas. It’s a fun twist, but be careful with the flames!
• Store Properly: by keeping any leftovers covered in the fridge for up to 3 days. The bananas may darken, so it’s best to enjoy within a couple of days for the best taste and best look.

Directions

Step 1

Begin your baking adventure by preheating your oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Then beat in the eggs one at a time until well incorporated.

Step 2

Carefully blend in the cubed bread, cream, milk, banana liqueur, cinnamon, and vanilla until just combined. With a gentle touch, fold in the nuts and banana slices, preserving those delicious fruit chunks throughout the mixture.

Step 3

Finally, pour everything into a greased 9×13 inch baking dish and place in the preheated oven. Bake for 90 minutes until the pudding is golden brown and set in the middle. I’ve learned through many attempts that patience is key—resist the urge to open the oven door before the time is up!

Nutrition

Here is the nutritional information for Banana Foster Pudding in a table format:

Nutrient	Amount
Calories	541 kcal
Carbohydrates	74 g
Protein	5 g
Fat	25 g
Saturated Fat	14 g
Polyunsaturated Fat	3 g
Monounsaturated Fat	6 g
Trans Fat	0.4 g
Cholesterol	120 mg
Sodium	253 mg
Potassium	364 mg
Fiber	2 g
Sugar	55 g
Vitamin A	790 IU
Vitamin C	5 mg
Calcium	107 mg
Iron	1 mg

Notes

• Mashing Bananas: properly is key. Make sure they are fully mashed so they blend smoothly into the pudding without chunks for the perfect texture.
• Thickening: the mixture takes patience. While cooking, whisk constantly over low heat until it thickens like custard and coats the back of a spoon to get the right consistency.
• Banana Timing: is important. When you cook the banana slices in caramel, give them a quick toss to coat them evenly. Overcooking can make them mushy, which affects the final dish.
• Optional Add-ins: To give it a classic Bananas Foster twist, add a splash of dark rum and flambé the bananas for a rich caramel flavor. Be careful with the flames!
• Layering: matters. Let the pudding cool slightly before adding the caramelized bananas to keep the layers distinct and prevent them from mixing too much.
• Storage: You can store your banana pudding in the fridge for up to 3 days, but for the best taste and best look, try to enjoy it within 1-2 days.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is banana foster bread pudding?

This quirky spin on a traditional dessert blends two New Orleans classics—bananas foster and bread pudding—into one decadent treat. It has a silky, rich, and buttery texture, filled with the wonderful and typical bananas foster flavors of bananas, rum, and custard.

What is the difference between banana flambé and Foster?

Bananas Foster is a dessert dish that incorporates the flambé method of cooking, where alcohol is added to the food and ignited. Because of this, it is often referred to as Bananas Foster flambé since the signature flame effect enhances both its flavor and presentation.

Is banana foster safe for kids?

While most of the alcohol in the rum will cook off during cooking, not all of it disappears. The residual amount in the sauce may not be ideal for younger children, so it’s up to parents to make the decision on whether they feel comfortable with their kids eating it. To be safe, it’s best to not serve it to little ones.

Can a pregnant woman eat banana foster?

Doctors usually do not recommend eating bananas during pregnancy because they contain furocoumarin, a chemical found in fruits and vegetables that helps protect them from insects. This substance may harm the baby in the womb and affect the mother, so it’s best to avoid it.