Decadent Banana Cream Pudding with Meringue Topping

Ingredients

Pudding Base:
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 cup half and half
- ½ cup whipping cream
- 1 package (3.4 oz) French Vanilla Jell-O Pudding
- ¼ cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- ½ cup sour cream
- 3 ripe bananas, sliced
- 1 box Nilla Wafer cookies

Meringue Topping:
- 4 egg whites
- ¼ teaspoon cream of tartar
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons water

Instructions

1. Prepare the Pudding Base:
- In a medium saucepan, combine 1 cup of whole milk, 1 cup of half and half, and ½ cup of whipping cream. Heat over medium heat until warm but not boiling.

2. Mix the Pudding:
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the French Vanilla Jell-O Pudding, ¼ cup of powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, and 1/8 teaspoon of salt. Slowly incorporate the warm milk mixture into the bowl, whisking continuously to avoid lumps.

3. Thicken and Chill:
- Return the pudding mixture to the saucepan and cook over medium-low heat, stirring frequently, until the mixture thickens. Remove from heat and let it cool for 5 minutes before stirring in ½ cup of sour cream. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

4. Assemble the Dessert:
- In a large ovenproof dish, arrange a layer of Nilla Wafer cookies at the bottom, followed by a layer of banana slices. Pour half of the chilled pudding over the bananas. Repeat the layers with remaining ingredients, finishing with a layer of pudding on top.

5. Prepare the Meringue:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). In a clean mixing bowl, beat 4 egg whites and ¼ teaspoon of cream of tartar on medium speed until soft peaks form. Gradually add ½ cup of granulated sugar and 2 tablespoons of water, beating on high speed until stiff, glossy peaks form.

6. Apply Meringue and Bake:
- Spoon the meringue over the pudding, spreading it to cover completely and sealing the edges to avoid shrinking. Create peaks or swirls for an appealing look. Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes or until the meringue is golden brown.

7. Cool and Serve:
- Allow the dessert to cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving to set properly.

Preparation & Cooking Times

Preparation Time:
PT20M
20 minutes

Cooling Time:
PT1H
1 hour

Baking Time:
PT12M
12 minutes

Total Time
PT1H32M
1 hour and 32 minutes

Type of Dish

Dessert

Keywords

Banana Cream Pudding, Meringue Topping, French Vanilla, Banana Dessert, Homemade Pudding, Nilla Wafer, Layered Dessert, Sweet Treat, Oven Dessert, Creamy Delicacy

Recipe Yield

Feeds 4 adults

Calories

Total: 1800 calories

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