Creamy Banana Pudding Ice Cream Recipe: Sweet Summer Joy

Summers sizzle with sweet memories of classic desserts that cool you down instantly.

This creamy banana pudding ice cream recipe blends nostalgic Southern charm with refreshing indulgence.

Silky vanilla custard mingles with ripe, caramelized bananas, creating a dreamy frozen treat.

Layers of crushed vanilla wafers add delightful crunch to every spoonful.

Each bite whispers comfort and childhood joy, transporting you to lazy afternoon gatherings.

Homemade ice cream always tastes better, especially when you control the ingredients and richness.

Grab your ice cream maker and get ready to craft a dessert that will become your new summer obsession.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Calories: 360 kcal

Servings: 9

What Makes Banana Pudding Ice Cream So Dreamy

• Heavy Cream: Provides rich, luxurious texture and deep flavor foundation for the ice cream.
• Whole Milk: Balances cream's richness, contributes to smooth and silky consistency.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens and helps create soft, scoopable ice cream texture.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor complexity and balances sweetness.

• Egg Yolks: Creates velvety custard base, adds luxurious mouthfeel and stability.
• Vanilla Extract: Deepens flavor profile with warm, aromatic undertones.
• Ripe Bananas: Delivers authentic banana essence, natural sweetness, and creamy texture.
• Lemon Juice: Brightens banana flavor, prevents browning, adds subtle tartness.

• Nilla Wafers: Introduces delightful cookie crunch, classic banana pudding nostalgia, creates textural contrast.

Ice Cream-Making Tools for Banana Pudding Flavor

• Medium saucepan: Essential for heating cream and creating the base.
• Whisk: Perfect for blending egg yolks and mixing ingredients smoothly.
• Mixing bowl: Needed for whisking egg yolks and tempering.
• Fine-mesh sieve: Crucial for straining the custard and ensuring smoothness.
• Ice cream maker: Key tool for churning the mixture into creamy ice cream.
• Freezer-safe container: Used for storing and freezing the finished ice cream.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Necessary for accurate ingredient measurements.
• Sharp knife or spatula: Helpful for mashing bananas and crushing Nilla Wafers.

Instructions to Whip Up Banana Pudding Ice Cream

• Cream Base Preparation

Gently warm cream, milk, and sugar in a saucepan until smooth and steamy without boiling.

• Egg Yolk Fusion

Whisk egg yolks with sugar until silky and pale, creating a rich golden mixture.

• Temperature Blending

Slowly introduce hot cream into egg yolks, stirring carefully to prevent scrambling and create a uniform custard.

• Custard Transformation

Cook mixture on low heat, stirring constantly until it reaches a luxurious, thick consistency that clings to a spoon.

• Flavor Infusion

Strain custard and blend in vanilla, ripe bananas, and a hint of lemon juice, then chill thoroughly in refrigerator.

• Churning Magic

Pour chilled mixture into ice cream maker, spinning until creamy and soft.

• Wafer Crunch

During final churning moments, sprinkle crushed Nilla Wafers for delightful texture.

• Freezing Finale

Transfer ice cream to container, layering with additional wafer crumbs, then freeze until perfectly firm.

• Serving Delight

Scoop into bowls, garnish with extra wafers and optional cloud-like whipped cream.

Variations to Try for Banana Pudding Ice Cream

• Caramelize ripe bananas in brown sugar before mashing to develop deeper, richer banana flavor and add subtle caramel notes.
• Mix in chopped pecans, dark chocolate chips, or dulce de leche swirls during the last churning minutes for extra complexity and interest.
• Select super-ripe bananas with dark spots for maximum sweetness, or use slightly firmer bananas if you prefer a more subtle banana profile.
• Replace heavy cream and milk with full-fat coconut milk and coconut cream to create a luscious vegan version of this classic dessert.

Scooping and Serving Banana Pudding Ice Cream

• Scoop on a Banana Wafer Cone: Serve this creamy delight in a crisp Nilla Wafer cone for a nostalgic dessert experience that brings childhood memories to life.
• Top with Banana Bliss: Sprinkle fresh banana slices and extra crushed Nilla Wafers on top to add texture and enhance the banana pudding flavor profile.
• Create a Sundae Sensation: Layer the ice cream in a glass with additional whipped cream, caramel drizzle, and a sprinkle of crushed Nilla Wafers for an indulgent dessert presentation.
• Pair with Warm Companions: Serve alongside a warm slice of banana bread or next to a hot cup of coffee to contrast the cold, creamy ice cream texture.

Store and Freeze Banana Pudding Ice Cream Correctly

• Maximize Freshness: Store ice cream in an airtight container with a tight-fitting lid to prevent freezer burn and maintain optimal flavor.
• Quick Chill Strategy: Allow the pudding base to cool completely in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours before churning, ensuring a smoother, creamier texture.
• Smart Serving Technique: Remove the ice cream from the freezer 5-10 minutes before serving to soften slightly, making scooping easier and enhancing the creamy consistency.
• Extend Enjoyment Period: Homemade banana pudding ice cream stays delicious for up to 2 weeks when stored properly in the freezer, wrapped securely to block unwanted ice crystals.

Silky Banana Pudding Ice Cream Recipe

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4.9 from 21 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 9 1x

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Description

Creamy banana pudding ice cream blends Southern comfort with cool dessert magic. Homemade vanilla wafer crumbles and silky custard base promise a nostalgic treat you’ll savor to the last spoonful.

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Ingredients

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• 2 cups heavy cream
• 1 cup whole milk
• 3 ripe bananas (mashed)
• 5 large egg yolks
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 cup Nilla Wafers (crushed, plus more for garnish)
• Pinch of salt
• Whipped cream (optional, for serving)

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Instructions

1. Create Cream Base: Combine heavy cream, whole milk, granulated sugar, and salt in a medium saucepan, warming gently over medium heat until sugar dissolves completely without boiling.
2. Prepare Egg Mixture: Whisk egg yolks with remaining sugar until smooth and pale yellow, then gradually temper by slowly incorporating hot cream while continuously whisking to prevent curdling.
3. Cook Custard: Return tempered mixture to saucepan, cooking on low heat and stirring constantly until custard thickens and coats the back of a wooden spoon, reaching 77-79 degrees Celsius.
4. Refine Mixture: Strain custard through a fine-mesh sieve into a clean bowl, then blend in vanilla extract, mashed ripe bananas, and lemon juice to enhance flavor profile.
5. Chill and Develop Flavors: Cover and refrigerate the mixture for 4-8 hours, allowing ingredients to meld and intensify their taste characteristics.
6. Churn and Incorporate: Process the chilled mixture in an ice cream maker according to manufacturer’s instructions, adding crushed Nilla Wafers during the final churning moments to distribute crunchy elements.
7. Freeze and Finish: Transfer churned ice cream to a freezer-safe container, layering with additional crushed Nilla Wafers, then freeze for 4-6 hours until achieving a perfectly scoopable consistency.
8. Serve with Flair: Present the banana pudding ice cream chilled, garnishing with extra Nilla Wafers and optional whipped cream for a luxurious dessert experience.

Notes

• Temper Technique: Slowly add hot cream to egg yolks while whisking constantly to prevent scrambling and create a smooth, silky custard base.
• Banana Ripeness Matters: Use fully ripe, soft bananas with brown spots for maximum natural sweetness and intense banana flavor.
• Chill for Depth: Refrigerate custard mixture overnight to allow flavors to develop and meld, resulting in a more complex and rich ice cream taste.
• Wafer Texture Tip: Add crushed Nilla Wafers during the last few minutes of churning and when layering to maintain their crunch and prevent complete softening.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 360
• Sugar: 30 g
• Sodium: 50 mg
• Fat: 25 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 210 mg