I found a complete winner of a recipe from one of the last places I would expect: a DIY home projects Instagram you may have heard about: @OurFauxFarmhouse. Holly posted a recipe for “Southern Style Banana Pudding” and I had to try it! I have always loved this dessert--I grew up on the stuff as my mom and her mom would make it for every family get together I can remember.

But here’s the thing about this recipe from Holly--it is so easy and delicious and has one particular secret ingredient which really takes it to the next level and I feel that the title might be a bit deceiving for some. Typically, “Southern Style Banana Pudding” would have the vanilla custard made on the stovetop from scratch so please don’t get after the messenger because plenty of people would say this isn’t “Southern-style” because of this. And to be honest with you, I might agree with that. But either way, this pudding is super delicious and does have quick and easy ingredients like Cool Whip and instant vanilla pudding, so by all means, make your own stove top vanilla pudding or custard and homemade whipped cream, if you’d like. I would imagine that it would make it taste even more phenomenal. I haven’t tried that yet, but I would bet you could follow all the other instructions and ingredients the same as it is written. So don’t be too hard on this recipe for its title, even though it uses a couple “shortcut” ingredients.

I do tend to make certain things from scratch and use them in regular recipes and have great success with this. Since it is just vanilla flavored pudding, I would imagine it is easy enough to make a homemade stovetop version and it would be well worth your time. Sometimes, you do just want the ease of whipping up instant things and knowing that it will for sure turn out. Custards can be a bit finicky and in my experience can turn out better sometimes than other times. Bottom line is--you do you! :)

The reason this banana pudding turns out so great is because of a special secret ingredient. This ingredient is sure powerful in so many recipes and can really transform recipes! The secret magic ingredient is…..drumroll, please…..Eagle brand sweetened condensed milk. And Holly says, “You cannot substitute this--don’t even ask!” So I guess according to her, don’t even think about substituting it or using a different brand.

Finally, Holly also says, “I can guarantee that wherever you take this, people are going to ask you what the magic ingredient is or why it’s so good. You can tell them the truth--that it is made with love……or you can tell them it’s sweetened condensed milk! ;) “

I love this because it’s made in a big casserole dish and is great for feeding a crowd and it is sure a crowd-pleaser! You could also make it in a trifle dish and it would look so beautiful. Here is one final tip to make this turn out even better:

• Pick the right bananas. You might be wondering if your bananas will start to go brown and the answer is they will actually start to brown in the pudding a bit after about a day in the fridge. Therefore, it is really important that you pick bananas that are ripe enough, but not over-ripe so they don’t brown faster. Preferably you want them to be all the way yellow with no green at the top, but also minimal to no brown spots either.
  

What are your thoughts on no-bake versus traditional stovetop banana pudding? Are you one to typically make your desserts and meals from scratch or do you like to use shortcuts when possible? Please share your thoughts in the comments below. I hope you enjoy this delicious easy Southern banana pudding recipe. It really is such a crowd pleaser that everyone loves that would be so perfect for any parties or potlucks you will be attending this summer.



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