Dreamy Banana Pudding Ice Cream Recipe: Summer’s Sweet Treat

Southern dessert lovers crave banana pudding ice cream for its nostalgic charm and creamy indulgence.

Sweet, velvety textures blend perfectly with classic comfort food memories.

Smooth custard notes dance alongside ripe fruit undertones, creating a delightful frozen treat.

Rich, silky layers capture the essence of traditional homestyle desserts with a cool twist.

Delicate banana flavors mingle with smooth, custardy bases that transport you straight to grandma’s kitchen.

Creamy consistency and gentle sweetness promise a delectable experience that transcends ordinary frozen desserts.

Prepare to elevate your summer dessert game with this irresistible Southern-inspired confection.

Tasty Pairings for This Cool Dessert

• Boost Banana Sweetness: Pair this creamy banana pudding ice cream with a crisp riesling wine, which complements the dessert's sweet banana notes and provides a refreshing contrast.
• Enhance Texture Contrast: Serve alongside warm banana bread or toasted pecan cookies to add a delightful crunch that matches the soft, smooth ice cream texture.
• Elevate Flavor Profile: Drizzle salted caramel sauce over the ice cream to intensify the dessert's richness and create a complex flavor experience that highlights the banana and vanilla undertones.
• Create Beverage Harmony: Enjoy with a cold glass of whole milk or a chai latte, which will complement the pudding-like qualities and bring out the dessert's comforting warmth.

Ice Cream Variations You’ll Want to Scoop

• Nutty Banana Blast: Enhance the ice cream by adding toasted chopped pecans or almonds during the last minutes of churning for extra crunch and depth of flavor.
• Chocolate Banana Dream: Mix in dark chocolate chips or swirl melted chocolate through the churned ice cream for a rich, decadent version that complements the banana's sweetness.
• Caramel Banana Crunch: Drizzle homemade caramel sauce between layers of ice cream and sprinkle with additional crushed cookies for a more indulgent dessert experience.
• Rum-Infused Banana Treat: Add a splash of dark rum to the base mixture for an adult-friendly version that brings warmth and complexity to the classic banana pudding ice cream.

Banana Pudding Ice Cream That’s Pure Nostalgia

• Creamy Banana Blast: This homemade ice cream delivers an incredibly smooth and rich texture that melts perfectly on your tongue, capturing the classic banana pudding flavor in every spoonful.
• Quick Comfort Dessert: The recipe transforms a traditional pudding into a cool, refreshing treat that requires minimal kitchen skills and brings nostalgic childhood memories to life with minimal effort.
• Texture Party in a Scoop: Crunchy Nilla Wafer pieces scattered throughout the ice cream create delightful contrasts between the silky-smooth banana base and crispy cookie crumbles, making each bite an exciting flavor adventure.
• No-Fuss Gourmet Experience: With simple ingredients and straightforward cooking techniques, anyone can create a restaurant-quality dessert that impresses family and friends without spending hours in the kitchen.

Ingredients for a Creamy Frozen Treat

• Heavy Cream: Rich and creamy foundation for smooth ice cream texture.
• Milk: Adds lightness and helps create perfect ice cream consistency.
• Sugar: Essential sweetener that balances flavors and helps prevent ice crystals.
• Salt: Tiny pinch enhances overall flavor profile of the dessert.

• Egg Yolks: Provides rich, custard-like base and helps create smooth, creamy texture.

• Bananas: Ripe, soft bananas offer natural sweetness and authentic banana flavor.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, classic flavor that complements banana perfectly.
• Lemon Juice: Prevents banana browning and adds subtle brightness to the dessert.

• Nilla Wafers: Classic cookie that provides delightful crunch and nostalgic banana pudding taste.

• Whipped Cream: Light, airy topping for extra indulgence and visual appeal.

Churning Up Banana Pudding Bliss

Step 1: Prepare Creamy Base

• Heavy cream
• Milk
• Sugar
• Pinch of salt

Warm over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until sugar dissolves and mixture is hot but not boiling.

Step 2: Whisk Egg Yolk Mixture

In a separate bowl, whisk egg yolks with remaining sugar until well blended.

Step 3: Temper Egg Yolks

Gradually add hot cream mixture to egg yolks, whisking constantly. Continue until about half the cream mixture is incorporated.

Step 4: Cook Custard Base

Pour egg yolk mixture back into saucepan with remaining cream mixture. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until mixture thickens and reaches 170-175°F.

Step 5: Strain and Add Flavors

• Vanilla extract
• Mashed bananas
• Lemon juice

Cover and chill in refrigerator for at least 4 hours or overnight.

Step 6: Churn Ice Cream

Churn mixture in ice cream maker following manufacturer’s instructions.

Step 7: Add Crunchy Wafers

During last few minutes of churning, add crushed Nilla Wafers to ice cream.

Step 8: Freeze and Layer

Transfer ice cream to freezer-safe container, layering with additional crushed Nilla Wafers. Freeze until firm, at least 4 hours or overnight.

Step 9: Serve and Enjoy

Serve with extra Nilla Wafers and optional whipped cream on top.

Smart Tips for Smooth, Creamy Ice Cream

• Temper Eggs Carefully: Add hot cream slowly to egg yolks while whisking continuously to prevent scrambling and ensure a smooth, silky custard base.
• Strain for Smoothness: Use a fine-mesh sieve to remove any potential egg bits or lumps, creating an ultra-creamy ice cream texture.
• Ripening Time Matters: Chill the mixture thoroughly before churning to develop deeper flavors and improve overall consistency.
• Crush Wafers Strategically: Break Nilla Wafers into varied sizes for interesting texture – some fine crumbs, some larger chunks for a more exciting mouthfeel.
• Freeze Properly: Let the ice cream sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes before serving to achieve the perfect scoopable consistency.

Freezer Tips for Banana Pudding Ice Cream

• Store Leftovers
• Seal the banana pudding ice cream in an airtight container with a tight-fitting lid. Press plastic wrap directly onto the surface to prevent ice crystals from forming. Refrigerate for up to 5 days or freeze for 2-3 weeks for best quality and flavor.
• Reheat Method
• Remove the ice cream from the freezer and let it sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes to soften slightly. This helps restore its creamy texture and makes scooping easier. Avoid microwaving, which can compromise the smooth consistency.
• Serving Tip
• When ready to enjoy, use a slightly warmed ice cream scoop for clean, perfect portions. Garnish with fresh banana slices or extra crushed Nilla Wafers to refresh the presentation and add delightful crunch.

Banana Pudding Ice Cream Recipe

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4.8 from 12 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Creamy Southern banana pudding meets cool, refreshing ice cream in this irresistible dessert. Silky vanilla custard swirls with fresh banana chunks, delivering pure comfort in each delightful spoonful you’ll savor.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 3 ripe bananas, mashed
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 1 cup whole milk
• 5 large egg yolks

Sweeteners and Sugars:

• ¾ cup granulated sugar, divided

Additional Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 cup Nilla Wafers, crushed, plus more for garnish
• Pinch of salt

Optional:

• Whipped cream, for serving

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Instructions

1. Prepare a medium saucepan to craft a luscious cream base by combining heavy cream (236 milliliters/8 fluid ounces), whole milk (236 milliliters/8 fluid ounces), 100 grams granulated sugar, and a delicate pinch of salt.
2. Gently warm the mixture over medium heat, stirring intermittently until sugar completely dissolves and the liquid reaches a hot temperature without approaching a boil.
3. In a separate mixing bowl, vigorously whisk egg yolks with remaining 50 grams sugar until the mixture becomes smooth and pale yellow.
4. Carefully temper the egg yolks by gradually introducing small amounts of hot cream mixture, continuously whisking to prevent curdling and ensure a silky texture.
5. Return the tempered egg mixture back into the saucepan, cooking over low heat while stirring constantly until the custard thickens enough to elegantly coat the back of a wooden spoon, reaching approximately 77-79 degrees Celsius (170-175 degrees Fahrenheit).
6. Remove from heat and strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a clean bowl to ensure a velvety smooth consistency.
7. Incorporate vanilla extract, thoroughly mashed ripe bananas, and a splash of lemon juice, then cover and refrigerate for a minimum of 4 hours or preferably overnight to develop rich flavors.
8. Once thoroughly chilled, churn the mixture in an ice cream maker according to manufacturer’s specific instructions.
9. During the final minutes of churning, fold in crushed Nilla Wafers to distribute crunchy texture throughout the ice cream.
10. Transfer the freshly churned ice cream into a freezer-safe container, creating artistic layers with additional crushed Nilla Wafers for enhanced texture and visual appeal.
11. Freeze the ice cream for at least 4 hours or overnight until it reaches a firm, scoopable consistency.
12. Serve chilled, garnished with extra Nilla Wafers and optional dollops of whipped cream for a decadent presentation.

Notes

• Chilling the base mixture thoroughly ensures a smoother, creamier ice cream texture with intense banana flavor.
• Tempering eggs gradually prevents scrambling and creates a silky custard foundation for the dessert.
• Use ripe, spotty bananas for maximum sweetness and deeper flavor complexity.
• Lemon juice balances the sweetness and prevents bananas from browning during preparation.
• Churning time directly impacts the final ice cream consistency, so follow manufacturer’s instructions carefully.
• Layering crushed Nilla Wafers adds delightful crunch and traditional banana pudding nostalgia to each scoop.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 380 kcal
• Sugar: 28 g
• Sodium: 120 mg
• Fat: 26 g
• Saturated Fat: 16 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 35 g
• Fiber: 1.5 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 190 mg