After making a couple batches of Mama Keown’s Fluffy Banana Cake yesterday I still had 2 bananas left over. What else can you do with leftover bananas? UMMMM BANANA PUDDING…. I have always loved my Grandmothers Banana Pudding, and what makes her Banana Pudding so GOOD is she makes homemade Vanilla Pudding. There is no Jell-O instant pudding mix in this.

Years ago I asked her for her recipe for her Banana Pudding, she said it was just Bananas, Nilla Wafers, and her Mothers recipe for Vanilla Pudding.

A few days later I received a letter and a recipe in the mail. This Vanilla Pudding Recipe was the first recipe of my Great Grandmother’s, Mama’ Keown, I ever got. My Grandmother, Bessie, can sill remember her Mother making this Vanilla Pudding from the time she was a little girl. So this recipe at least dates back to the 30’s.

Another one of my Great-Grandmother’s Recipes in My Grandmothers Handwriting

Vanilla Pudding from Mama’ Keown

Directions and Ingredients:

2/3 Cup Sugar

2 Rounded Tablespoons of Flour

A Pinch of Salt

Mix together in a saucepan:

Add ¼ cup of milk and stir.

Add 1 slightly beaten egg and blend

Add 1¾ cup milk and cook until thickened

Add ½ – 1 teaspoon of vanilla

Cover the pudding with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator.

 

My Grandmother wrote on the recipe card… “When I was very young everyone called this “Yellow Bessie”. I didn’t remember why, if I ever knew. Wanda said Mama was going on about how sweet I was and I asked if I was as sweet as “this pudding”.” My Grandmother also went on to say that Mama’ Keown had a recipe for “Chocolate Bessie” but she never got the recipe.

 

My husband loves banana pudding, without the bananas. I know, crazy right?!?! For him I layer Nilla Wafer’s and this Vanilla Pudding in a mason jar.

I love bananas and I’ve had this idea of combining two classic Southern Desserts in to one. Banana Pudding let me introduce you to Bananas Foster. They make a beautiful couple don’t they?

Bananas Foster Banana Pudding

­In a medium-sized saucepan over low heat add:

4 Tablespoons of Butter

½ Cup Packed Brown Sugar

½ teaspoon cinnamon

¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg

¼ teaspoon ground all spice

A pinch of salt

1/3 Cup Dark Rum

Cook over low heat until brown and bubbly. Add two sliced bananas and cook for another minute.

Turn off the heat and add 1/3 cup dark rum. Carefully ignite with a lighter and allow the alcohol to cook off. When the flames have gone out turn the heat back on and cook for another 2 minutes. Set aside to cool.

In a small mason jar add 2-3 Nilla Wafers. Next, spoon in a layer of the Vanilla Pudding, followed by a layer of the Bananas Foster. Repeat, Nilla Wafers, Vanilla Pudding, and Bananas Foster. Then grab a spoon!

 

I hope y’all enjoy and please let me know what you think.

Thanks Y’all!