Decadent Banana Pudding with Caramel Sauce
A Comforting Dessert with a Sweet Twist
Banana pudding is already one of the most comforting desserts ever created — creamy, nostalgic, and always satisfying. But when you drizzle it with a rich homemade caramel sauce?
It becomes pure indulgence.
This dessert layers velvety homemade pudding, ripe bananas, buttery vanilla wafers, and warm caramel for a flavor combination that’s soothing, luxurious, and absolutely irresistible. Whether you’re serving it at a holiday gathering or sneaking a late-night treat, this dessert delivers comfort in every single bite.
Ingredients
For the Pudding
- 3 ripe bananas, sliced
- 2 ½ cups whole milk
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- 4 large egg yolks
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
For the Caramel Sauce
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, cubed
- ½ cup heavy cream
- Pinch of salt
For Assembly
- 1 package vanilla wafers (12–15 cookies)
Equipment
- Medium saucepan
- Whisk
- Mixing bowls
- Heatproof spatula
- Serving dish or dessert cups
- Plastic wrap
Tips for Success
- Pick ripe bananas — yellow with a few speckles for the best flavor.
- Avoid grainy caramel by stirring only at the start and letting it melt undisturbed afterward.
- Make ahead friendly: both the caramel and pudding can be prepared 24 hours in advance.
- For extra richness, drizzle warm caramel right before serving.
Instructions
1. Make the Caramel Sauce
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Add sugar to a medium saucepan over medium heat.
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Stir gently as it melts and turns deep amber.
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Add butter and stir until fully melted.
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Slowly pour in heavy cream while whisking.
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Add a pinch of salt.
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Let cool slightly.
2. Prepare the Pudding
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In a saucepan, whisk sugar and cornstarch.
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Slowly add milk and cook over medium heat until thickened.
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Lightly beat egg yolks in a separate bowl.
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Temper the eggs with a few tablespoons of hot milk mixture.
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Return eggs to saucepan and cook 2–3 more minutes.
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Remove from heat and add butter and vanilla.
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Let cool briefly.
3. Assemble the Dessert
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Add a layer of vanilla wafers to your dish.
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Add a layer of bananas.
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Add pudding.
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Drizzle caramel sauce.
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Repeat layers, ending with pudding and caramel on top.
4. Chill and Serve
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Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 2 hours.
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Before serving, garnish with crushed wafers or chopped nuts if desired.
Why This Dessert Shines
The creamy pudding pairs beautifully with the natural sweetness of bananas, while the caramel adds a warm, buttery richness that takes this classic dessert to a whole new level. The vanilla wafers soften into a cake-like layer, creating the perfect balance of textures — smooth, silky, crunchy, and comforting.
This is the kind of dessert that disappears fast… so grabbing an extra spoon isn’t a bad idea.
Decadent Banana Pudding with Caramel Sauce
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Add sugar to a medium saucepan over medium heat.
- Stir gently as it melts and turns deep amber.
- Add butter and stir until fully melted.
- Slowly pour in heavy cream while whisking.
- Add a pinch of salt.
- Let cool slightly.
- In a saucepan, whisk sugar and cornstarch.
- Slowly add milk and cook over medium heat until thickened.
- Lightly beat egg yolks in a separate bowl.
- Temper the eggs with a few tablespoons of hot milk mixture.
- Return eggs to saucepan and cook 2–3 more minutes.
- Remove from heat and add butter and vanilla.
- Let cool briefly.
- Add a layer of vanilla wafers to your dish.
- Add a layer of bananas.
- Add pudding.
- Drizzle caramel sauce.
- Repeat layers, ending with pudding and caramel on top.
- Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 2 hours.
- Before serving, garnish with crushed wafers or chopped nuts if desired.
Notes