Aunt Willie Mae’s Homemade Banana Pudding

I grew up in the kind of warmth that can’t be measured by a thermostat. My childhood home sat just fifty steps away from my grandmother and my Aunt Willie Mae—fifty steps filled with the sound of slamming screen doors and the sweet, heavy scent of Southern cooking.

Willie Mae was the kind of woman who lit up a room without trying. As the only girl in a house of seven brothers, she possessed a rare blend of grit and grace. She didn’t marry until after retirement, which meant she had decades to perfect the art of "spoiling rotten" every niece and nephew in her orbit. We were her world, and she was ours.

While her kitchen turned out many wonders, her Banana Pudding was the undisputed crown jewel. It wasn’t just a dessert; it was a constant at every family milestone. This is her original, "from-scratch" recipe—a dish that tastes exactly like the childhood memories we hold most dear.

I’ll be honest: on a tired Tuesday, I’m as likely as anyone to reach for a box of instant mix. But when the occasion matters, I reach for Willie Mae’s handwritten notes instead. I promise you, the extra effort is worth it. You can’t find this kind of richness in a box; it only comes from a recipe seasoned with a lifetime of unconditional love.

Prep Time 20 mins

Cook Time 20 mins

Rest Time 60 mins

Total Time 1 hr 40 mins

Cooking Method: Assembling, Baking, Simmering

Cuisine: Country, Soul, Southern

Courses: Dessert

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cooking Temp: 350 C

Servings: 8

Estimated Cost: 15

Calories: 380

Best Season: Year-round

Dietary: Nut Free, Soy Free, Vegetarian

Description

A timeless family recipe for the ultimate Southern Banana Pudding. Rich homemade vanilla custard layered with fresh bananas and Nabisco Vanilla Wafers, all topped off with a perfectly browned meringue.

Ingredients

2 cups milk
3/4 cups sugar plus 3 tablespoons
3 tablespoons plain flour
4 eggs separated
4-5 bananas
1 box Nabisco Vanilla Wafers
3 tablespoon butter
1 teaspoon vanilla

Instructions

1
Pour 1-1/2 cups of milk in a saucepan and start heating over a low heat.
2
In a bowl mix 1/2 cup milk , 3 egg yolks, sugar and flour; mix until combined.
3
Pour milk and egg mixture in saucepan, turn heat to medium and continue heating until thick, constantly stirring.
4
Take off heat once thickened add 3 tablespoons butter and 1 tablespoon vanilla.
5
In serving dish, layer vanilla wafers and sliced banana’s, starting with wafers. Pour pudding mixture over the top.
6
Put a clean mixing bowl into the freezer while preparing the pudding.
7
Pour 4 egg whites into the bowl and whip on high speed until meringue forms stiff peaks.
8
Add 3 tablespoons sugar and whip until combined.
9
Spread this mixture over pudding; spreading to the edges to cover. Take knife or spoon and touch the meringue pulling upward to form peaks.
10
Bake in a 350 degree oven until brown; approximately 10 minutes..

Note

It is very important to have all utensils and bowls very clean and cold when making meringue. Also, it is easier if egg whites are at room temperature. Spreading the meringue to the edges of the dish 'seals' it to the crust or dish, which helps prevent it from shrinking.

Keywords: Banana Pudding, Aunt Willie Mae, Homemade, Southern, Meringue

This banana pudding recipe is a cherished memory from my Aunt Willie Mae's home. She lived just a few steps from our back door and was the heart of our family. Growing up, this dish was a staple at every gathering. It represents the kindness and love she shared with everyone. In a world of quick fixes, taking the time to cook a custard from scratch is a way to honor that tradition and share it with your own family.