{"id":"banana_pudding_228e7bda3d","slug":"classic-southern-banana-pudding","title":"Classic Southern Banana Pudding","description":"A traditional American layered dessert featuring homemade vanilla custard, crisp vanilla wafers, and fresh sliced bananas, topped with a golden-brown baked meringue.","serves":8,"time":{"prepMinutes":20,"cookMinutes":30,"totalMinutes":60,"activeMinutes":45},"ingredients":[{"id":"ingredient-1","original":"3/4 cup granulated sugar","name":"Granulated Sugar","quantity":150,"unit":"g","usQuantity":0.75,"usUnit":"cup","form":"","notes":"granulated, for custard","group":"Custard","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-2","original":"1/3 cup all-purpose flour","name":"All-purpose flour","quantity":40,"unit":"g","usQuantity":0.33,"usUnit":"cup","form":"powder","notes":"all-purpose","group":"Custard","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-3","original":"Dash of salt","name":"Salt","quantity":1,"unit":"g","usQuantity":0.125,"usUnit":"tsp","form":"","notes":"fine","group":"Custard","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-4","original":"3 cups whole milk","name":"Milk","quantity":720,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":3,"usUnit":"cup","form":"liquid","notes":"whole","group":"Custard","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-5","original":"3 large eggs, separated","name":"Egg","quantity":3,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":3,"usUnit":"piece","form":"separated","notes":"yolks for custard, whites for meringue","group":"Custard","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-6","original":"1 teaspoon vanilla extract","name":"Vanilla Extract","quantity":5,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tsp","form":"liquid","notes":"","group":"Custard","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-7","original":"2 tablespoons unsalted butter","name":"Butter","quantity":28,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"oz","form":"unsalted","notes":"","group":"Custard","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-8","original":"1 box (11 oz) vanilla wafers","name":"Vanilla Wafers","quantity":312,"unit":"g","usQuantity":11,"usUnit":"oz","form":"whole cookies","notes":"divided","group":"Assembly","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-9","original":"4 large ripe bananas, sliced","name":"Banana","quantity":4,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":4,"usUnit":"piece","form":"sliced","notes":"ripe but firm","group":"Assembly","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-10","original":"1/4 cup granulated sugar","name":"Granulated Sugar","quantity":50,"unit":"g","usQuantity":0.25,"usUnit":"cup","form":"granulated","notes":"for meringue","group":"Meringue","optional":false}],"instructions":[{"id":"instruction-1","text":"Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C) for the meringue browning later.","group":"Preparation","title":"Preheat your oven","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-2","text":"In a heavy saucepan, whisk together 3/4 cup sugar, flour, and salt. Gradually stir in the milk.","group":"Custard Base","title":"Whisk together 3/4 cup sugar, flour, and salt","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Custard Base"},{"id":"instruction-3","text":"Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens and begins to bubble. In a small bowl, lightly beat the egg yolks. Gradually whisk about 1/2 cup of the hot milk mixture into the yolks to temper them, then whisk the yolk mixture back into the saucepan.","group":"Custard Base","title":"Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly","timerMinutes":10,"sourceTitle":"Custard Base"},{"id":"instruction-4","text":"Continue cooking for 2 more minutes while stirring. Remove from heat and stir in the butter and vanilla extract.","group":"Custard Base","title":"Continue cooking for 2 more minutes while stirring","timerMinutes":2,"sourceTitle":"Custard Base"},{"id":"instruction-5","text":"In a 2-quart baking dish, layer 1/3 of the vanilla wafers, 1/3 of the sliced bananas, and 1/3 of the warm custard. Repeat the layers twice more, finishing with the custard.","group":"Assembly","title":"In a 2-quart baking dish, layer 1/3 of the vanilla wafers","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Assembly"},{"id":"instruction-6","text":"For the meringue: Beat the 3 egg whites until soft peaks form. Gradually add 1/4 cup sugar, beating until stiff peaks form. Spread the meringue over the warm pudding, sealing it to the edges of the dish.","group":"Meringue","title":"For the meringue","timerMinutes":5,"sourceTitle":"Meringue"},{"id":"instruction-7","text":"Bake at 350°F (177°C) for 10-15 minutes or until the meringue peaks are golden brown. Let cool slightly on a wire rack, then chill for at least 4 hours before serving.","group":"Baking","title":"Bake at 350°F for 10-15 minutes or","timerMinutes":15,"sourceTitle":"Baking"}],"notes":"Chilling the pudding for at least 4 hours (or overnight) is essential for the wafers to soften into a cake-like texture. If you prefer, you can skip the meringue and top with whipped cream instead.","cuisine":{"group":"American","specific":["Southern American"]},"course":["dessert"],"cookingMethod":["simmer","bake"],"equipment":["heavy saucepan","whisk","2-quart baking dish","mixing bowl","electric hand mixer"],"diet":["vegetarian"],"allergens":["wheat","gluten","milk","eggs"],"difficulty":"medium","yield":{"amount":1,"unit":"dish","note":"approx 2 quart baking dish"},"makeAhead":{"instructions":"This recipe is best made a day in advance to allow the layers to meld and the wafers to soften."},"storage":{"food":{"instructions":"Store leftovers in the refrigerator, loosely covered with plastic wrap.","reheatingNotes":"Serve cold."}},"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fbanana_pudding_228e7bda3d%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=31c81842-9892-42a6-85ef-9dd77931d2df","imageAlt":"Classic Southern Banana Pudding — recipe cover","aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","sourceUrl":"","tags":["banana","pudding","southern","classic","custard","vanilla wafers","sweet","layered dessert"],"schemaVersion":1,"sourceTitle":"Classic Southern Banana Pudding","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-02-03T19:45:31.524Z","sourceUpdatedAt":"2026-02-03T19:45:31.524Z","related":[{"id":"ice_cream_sundae_af753bc8ae","slug":"classic-ice-cream-sundae","title":"Classic Ice Cream Sundae","description":"A timeless American treat featuring velvety vanilla ice cream topped with rich chocolate syrup, crunchy nuts, airy whipped cream, and a bright maraschino cherry.","serves":1,"time":{"prepMinutes":5,"cookMinutes":0,"totalMinutes":5,"activeMinutes":5},"cuisine":{"group":"American","specific":["American"]},"course":["dessert"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian","gluten_free"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fice_cream_sundae_af753bc8ae%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=8649e493-fc61-47c6-b896-9d08232b11c8","imageAlt":"Classic Ice Cream Sundae — recipe cover","tags":["sweet","cold","classic","chocolate","vanilla"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":5,"stepCount":5},{"id":"root_beer_float_235bd4e0f8","slug":"classic-root-beer-float","title":"Classic Root Beer Float","description":"A nostalgic American fountain favorite featuring creamy vanilla ice cream submerged in bubbly, spiced root beer for a frothy, indulgent treat.","serves":1,"time":{"prepMinutes":5,"cookMinutes":0,"totalMinutes":5,"activeMinutes":5},"cuisine":{"group":"American","specific":["American Soda Fountain"]},"course":["dessert","drink"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian","egg_free","gluten_free"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Froot_beer_float_235bd4e0f8%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=963067c8-fdbe-4227-8d5b-d76744b4c2bd","imageAlt":"Classic Root Beer Float — recipe cover","tags":["root beer","float","ice cream","sweet","cold","nostalgic","fountain drink"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":4,"stepCount":5},{"id":"milkshake_2ca9221621","slug":"classic-vanilla-milkshake","title":"Classic Vanilla Milkshake","description":"A thick, creamy, and indulgent American classic made with premium vanilla ice cream and cold milk.","serves":1,"time":{"prepMinutes":5,"cookMinutes":0,"totalMinutes":5,"activeMinutes":5},"cuisine":{"group":"American","specific":["American"]},"course":["dessert","drink"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian","gluten_free"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fmilkshake_2ca9221621%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=c543f24d-2561-4c00-81b6-67e5056052ee","imageAlt":"Classic Vanilla Milkshake — recipe cover","tags":["milkshake","vanilla","sweet","beverage","american","cold","classic"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":5,"stepCount":5}]}