Rita Reviews

living my best possible southern life

Individual Banana Pudding Cups

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Individual-Banana-Pudding

I shared this recipe originally on Labor Day back in 2017 but I thought it would be a great recipe for a girlfriend’s Valentine’s Day or maybe other event you have going on during February. It is something that is perfect any time of the year honestly. Although I will admit that I hate banana pudding! I make it because everyone else enjoys them.

Since this was originally a hot weather recipe I wanted to share ow I store these when I take them for picnics and other events. By making individual cups I am able to serve it much more effectively. I store them in a cooler that has a thin layer of placed in the bottom. Then I use those flat ice packs, the ones that are like a sheet of paper to cover the ice. I put the cups into a drink carrier (you know those cardboard ones that holds four six pack cans) and then place those on top of the ice packs. I do have to trim the drink carriers if my cooler is smaller. It makes everything much easier.

Individual Banana Pudding

Print Recipe
Prep Time:30 minutes
Cook Time:15 minutes
Total Time:45 minutes

Ingredients

For the Pudding

  • 2/3 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup cornstarch
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 4 egg yolks
  • 3 cups milk
  • 2 tbsp softened butter
  • 1 tbsp vanilla you can use 1 1/2 teaspoons of vanilla bean paste instead if you would like.

For the Whipped Cream

  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 2 tbsp granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Assembly Ingredients

  • 24 whole vanilla wafer cookies You may not need this many, it depends on the size of your jars. Smaller jars you will use less, larger jars you will use more.
  • 30 vanilla wafer cookies, coarsely crushed You may not need this many, it depends on the size of your jars. Smaller jars you will use less, larger jars you will use more.
  • 2 bananas, peeled and sliced You may not need this many, it depends on the size of your jars. Smaller jars you will use less, larger jars you will use more.

Instructions

For the Pudding

  • In a medium saucepan, stir sugar, cornstarch, and salt together. In a separate bowl, combine egg yolks and milk and whisk together. Over medium heat, gradually whisk the milk and egg mixture into the cornstarch mixture. Cook on medium heat stirring constantly until thickened and boiling. Boil for one minute then remove the pan from the heat. Stir in softened butter and vanilla.
  • Cool the pudding to room temperature. An ice bath will speed this up if needed.

For the Whipped Cream

  • Add the heavy whipping cream, sugar and vanilla to the bowl of an electric mixer with the whisk attachment fitted. Turn mixer to medium speed for a minute, then increase speed to high and the cream thickens. Whisk until cream has thickened to soft peaks, about 2 more minutes.

To Assemble

  • Arrange eight 1-cup jars on a tray or baking sheet.
  • Gently fold 1/3 of the whipped cream into the cooled pudding, being careful not to stir the air out of the whipped cream. Pour the pudding into a gallon size Ziploc bag, squeeze the air out, and seal the bag. Cut a 1/2 inch hole in one of the corners. Pipe a small dollop of pudding into the bottom of each jar.
  • Press three whole vanilla wafer cookies into each jar in a single layer. Pipe another layer of pudding to cover the cookies, then three slices of banana.
  • Add a tablespoon or so of crushed cookies over the bananas, reserving a 1/4 cup for garnish on the very top. Pipe the remaining pudding over the crushed cookie layer, and then top with a spoonful of the remaining whipped cream. Sprinkle with crushed cookies.
  • Cover the cups with a sheet of plastic wrap and refrigerate for 3-4 hours, so that the cookies have time to soften. Top with a banana slice or two just before serving if desired.
  • Serve within 3-24 hours after assembling.

Notes

When making the whipped cream, I always use a metal bowl and make a point of putting that bowl into the freezer for a few minutes before I begin mixing. It helps the cream set more quickly and hold a better peak. Also, if I am not using it right away I put the bowl of whipped crea back into the freezer. 
Author: Rita

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. I used to make pudding all the time, this recipe reminds me how much I love it, and now miss it. I like this idea of using cool whip and condensed milk, something different to try!

  5. You sold me on this one Rita. I ran out of printer ink so I put on Pinterest until I get my ink filled. This sounds Super!

  8. What a clever way to transport these! Genius! I can’t wait to try these. My daughter loves banana pudding and she would get a total kick out of getting her own cup! Thanks!

  11. This is a really delicious and fun recipe! We love Banana pudding, and this recipe with vanilla wafers in it sounds so delicious. I will have to make it for my family soon!!

  16. Simple yet so good..love using canning jars for desserts or drinks..thank you for the recipe Rita

  17. I love banana pudding! I think these little cups are perfect. Individual serving size. It would stop me from eating the whole batch 🙂

  19. Yummmmmm!!!! I love banana pudding. This recipe sounds great — looks like what I can remember my Grandma making. This is going to my “to make” list this week.

  20. I haven’t had banana pudding in a long time.Now that i have the recipe for it i will try and make it myself.

  21. Ive never seen this recipe before and will def try this. My husband loves banana cream pie, and since I am a clutz with a pie crust, this seems to be what I need. I finally started to file recipes online so I can find them when I want. Thanks Rita!

  22. I am going to get the ingredients for these when I hit the store next time. I haven’t had banana pudding in years, my grandfather used to make it when I visited, fond memories.

  27. I think this sounds great. I love that its a small serving. it’d be great to make for a picnic

  28. This is a great idea! I love that they are single serving sized, that way I do not over indulge! Thank you for sharing!

  30. Banana pudding is one of my favorite desserts. I like how these are in idividual cups. I really love how you can portion control thesee and individualize them.

  31. These are so cute I love that they are individual instead of a large bowl that usually doesn’t completely get eaten and you have to throw away .

  33. I REALLY LIKE THE IDEA OF HAVING INDIVIDUAL SERVINGS INSTEAD OF A BIG BOWL. SO EASY AND TASTY TOO, THANKS!

  35. Why haven’t i done this?!?! I make homemade banana pudding and have never made it cute like this. Thk u

  37. There’s not many desserts that I like better than banana pudding. This looks like a winner to me, lol.

  38. I love banana pudding! Making it in individual servings like this sure makes it easy to transport. Now I can take it on picnics – Yum!

  39. These look so yummy! For a second I thought the recipe was for individual servings. 🙁 Looks so good! Gonna have to try it out for a gathering with friends!

  40. We love banana pudding at our house and the idea of the individual servings is great and one we will try!