Key Ingredients for Banana Pudding Ice Cream
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup whole milk
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 4 large egg yolks
- 3 ripe bananas, mashed (about 1 ½ cups)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup crushed vanilla wafer cookies (about 25-30 cookies)
- Optional: Sliced fresh bananas for layering
How to Make Banana Pudding Ice Cream
This Banana Pudding Ice Cream recipe is a delightful journey into creamy, dreamy deliciousness without the fuss. In under 30 minutes of active preparation time (plus chilling and churning), you’ll create a dessert that boasts a luxuriously smooth texture and an irresistible balance of sweet banana and buttery vanilla wafer. The homemade custard base ensures an incredibly rich flavor that store-bought ice cream simply can’t match, making every spoonful a satisfying experience.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare the Custard Base: In a medium saucepan, whisk together the heavy cream, whole milk, and ½ cup of the granulated sugar. Heat the mixture over medium heat until it just begins to simmer around the edges. Do not let it boil.
- Temper the Egg Yolks: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the egg yolks and the remaining ¼ cup of granulated sugar until pale yellow and slightly thickened.
- Combine and Cook the Custard: Slowly and gradually ladle about ½ cup of the hot cream mixture into the egg yolk mixture, whisking constantly. This process, called tempering, gently warms the yolks to prevent them from scrambling. Once combined, pour the tempered egg yolk mixture back into the saucepan with the remaining cream mixture.
- Cook the Custard to Thickness: Cook the custard over low heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon or rubber spatula, until it thickens enough to coat the back of the spoon. This typically takes about 5-8 minutes. Be careful not to let the custard boil, as it will curdle.
- Strain and Add Flavors: Remove the saucepan from the heat. Stir in the mashed bananas, vanilla extract, and salt. For an extra smooth texture, pour the custard through a fine-mesh sieve into a clean bowl to remove any potential lumps.
- Chill the Base: Cover the surface of the custard directly with plastic wrap to prevent a skin from forming. Refrigerate the custard base for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight, until thoroughly chilled. This is a crucial step for achieving the best ice cream texture.
- Churn the Ice Cream: Once the custard base is completely chilled, pour it into your ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer’s instructions. This usually takes about 20-30 minutes, until the ice cream has the consistency of soft-serve.
- Add the Vanilla Wafer Crumble: In the last few minutes of churning, or gently stir in the crushed vanilla wafer cookies. If you are using fresh banana slices, you can layer them into the ice cream maker as it churns, or gently fold them in once the ice cream is nearly churned.
- Harden the Ice Cream: Transfer the churned Banana Pudding Ice Cream to an airtight container. Press a piece of parchment paper or plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the ice cream to prevent ice crystals from forming. Freeze for at least 4-6 hours, or until firm enough to scoop.
Why You’ll Love This Banana Pudding Ice Cream
You’ll absolutely adore this Banana Pudding Ice Cream for its incredibly nostalgic and comforting flavor profile, which perfectly replicates the beloved dessert in a cool, creamy format. The luscious texture, studded with sweet banana and crunchy vanilla wafer bits, is pure indulgence that rivals any gourmet ice cream shop, but with the immense satisfaction of being homemade. Making this ice cream at home is surprisingly budget-friendly, allowing you to enjoy a premium-quality treat without the hefty price tag.
Unlike a traditional banana pudding that can sometimes be too soft or mushy, this ice cream offers a delightful textural contrast that keeps you coming back for more. The natural sweetness of ripe bananas melds beautifully with the classic vanilla flavor, making it a crowd-pleaser for all ages. So, gather your ingredients, prepare your ice cream maker, and get ready to create a frozen masterpiece that will have everyone begging for seconds!
Storing and Reheating Tips
To store your delicious Banana Pudding Ice Cream, transfer it to an airtight freezer-safe container. Press a piece of parchment paper or plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the ice cream before sealing the lid to prevent ice crystals and maintain its creamy texture. Properly stored, homemade Banana Pudding Ice Cream will stay fresh and delicious in the freezer for up to 2-3 weeks. There is no reheating involved with ice cream, as it is meant to be enjoyed frozen. If it becomes too hard to scoop, simply let it sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes to soften slightly before serving.
Final Thoughts
This Banana Pudding Ice Cream is more than just a dessert; it’s a joyful celebration of a beloved classic in a brand-new, frozen form. We encourage you to whip up a batch at home and experience the pure delight of creamy, banana-infused goodness with every scoop. Happy churning!
Banana Pudding Ice Cream
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a medium saucepan, whisk together the heavy cream, whole milk, and ½ cup of the granulated sugar. Heat the mixture over medium heat until it just begins to simmer around the edges. Do not let it boil.2 cups heavy cream, 1 cup whole milk, ¾ cup granulated sugar
- In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the egg yolks and the remaining ¼ cup of granulated sugar until pale yellow and slightly thickened.4 large egg yolks, ¾ cup granulated sugar
- Slowly and gradually ladle about ½ cup of the hot cream mixture into the egg yolk mixture, whisking constantly. This process, called tempering, gently warms the yolks to prevent them from scrambling. Once combined, pour the tempered egg yolk mixture back into the saucepan with the remaining cream mixture.
- Cook the custard over low heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon or rubber spatula, until it thickens enough to coat the back of the spoon. This typically takes about 5-8 minutes. Be careful not to let the custard boil, as it will curdle.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat. Stir in the mashed bananas, vanilla extract, and salt. For an extra smooth texture, pour the custard through a fine-mesh sieve into a clean bowl to remove any potential lumps.3 ripe bananas, mashed, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, ½ teaspoon salt
- Cover the surface of the custard directly with plastic wrap to prevent a skin from forming. Refrigerate the custard base for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight, until thoroughly chilled. This is a crucial step for achieving the best ice cream texture.
- Once the custard base is completely chilled, pour it into your ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer’s instructions. This usually takes about 20-30 minutes, until the ice cream has the consistency of soft-serve.
- In the last few minutes of churning, or gently stir in the crushed vanilla wafer cookies. If you are using fresh banana slices, you can layer them into the ice cream maker as it churns, or gently fold them in once the ice cream is nearly churned.1 cup crushed vanilla wafer cookies, Sliced fresh bananas
- Transfer the churned Banana Pudding Ice Cream to an airtight container. Press a piece of parchment paper or plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the ice cream to prevent ice crystals from forming. Freeze for at least 4-6 hours, or until firm enough to scoop.