Description
Southern charm meets creamy comfort in this Salty Peanut Banana Pudding, blending rich banana layers with crunchy peanut accents. Nostalgic flavors dance together, inviting you to savor each spoonful of this classic dessert with a salty-sweet twist.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 4 large bananas, sliced
- 2 cups salted peanuts, roughly chopped
- 1 box (11 ounces/311 grams) vanilla wafers or butter cookies
Dairy and Pudding Base:
- 1 package (3.4 ounces/96 grams) instant vanilla pudding mix
- 2 cups cold milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ¼ cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Garnish:
- Crushed peanuts
- Banana slices
- Whipped cream
Instructions
- Craft the creamy pudding foundation by whisking instant pudding mix with cold milk until it achieves a luxurious, smooth consistency. Ensure thorough blending to eliminate any potential lumps.
- Prepare a cloud-like whipped cream by vigorously beating heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla extract until stiff, glossy peaks form, creating a decadent texture.
- Delicately incorporate the whipped cream into the pudding mixture, folding gently to maintain the airy structure and create a harmonious blend.
- Chill the pudding mixture in the refrigerator for 20-30 minutes to allow flavors to meld and texture to set.
- Select a serving vessel – either a trifle dish, glass bowl, or individual cups – and begin layering your dessert with a generous base of the chilled pudding.
- Arrange a layer of freshly sliced bananas over the pudding, ensuring even coverage and maximum flavor distribution.
- Carefully place vanilla wafers atop the banana layer, creating a delightful textural contrast.
- Sprinkle a crunchy layer of salted peanuts to introduce a savory element that complements the sweet base.
- Repeat the layering process, alternating pudding, bananas, wafers, and peanuts, building a visually appealing and flavor-packed dessert.
- Complete the final layer with a smooth pudding topping, creating an elegant finish.
- Enhance the presentation by garnishing with additional crushed peanuts, delicate banana slices, and an optional dollop of whipped cream.
- Refrigerate the assembled dessert for a minimum of 2 hours, allowing the flavors to harmonize and the texture to become perfectly cohesive.
Notes
- Swap instant pudding mix with homemade vanilla custard for a richer, more authentic flavor profile that elevates the dessert’s complexity.
- Toast peanuts briefly before sprinkling to enhance their nutty aroma and add a delightful crunch that contrasts with the creamy pudding texture.
- Use slightly underripe bananas to prevent browning and maintain structural integrity when layering, ensuring each slice looks fresh and appetizing.
- Prepare this dessert ahead of time for stress-free entertaining, as the overnight chilling allows flavors to develop and intensify, creating a more harmonious taste experience.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 250 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg