Chocolate Banana Pudding
Creamy and rich Chocolate Banana Pudding that perfectly blends luscious chocolate with naturally sweet bananas. This easy-to-make dessert is ready in under 30 minutes and features thick, smooth pudding layered with fresh banana slices, ideal for any occasion and adaptable to dietary preferences.
- Author: Mary
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Main Ingredients
- 3 ripe bananas, peeled and sliced thinly
- 2 cups milk (or coconut/almond milk for dairy-free)
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons butter (or vegan butter/coconut oil for vegan option)
- Optional toppings: whipped cream, chopped nuts, cocoa powder for dusting
- Prepare the Pudding Base: In a medium saucepan, whisk together sugar, cocoa powder, and cornstarch until fully combined. Slowly add milk while continuously stirring on medium heat. Keep stirring until the mixture thickens and starts to bubble gently. Remove from heat and stir in the butter and vanilla extract until smooth and glossy.
- Slice the Bananas: While the pudding cools slightly, peel and slice the bananas into thin, even rounds. This helps distribute their sweetness consistently throughout the dessert.
- Layer the Pudding and Bananas: In serving dishes or a large glass bowl, add a layer of pudding followed by a generous layer of banana slices. Repeat this alternating pattern until you’ve used all the pudding and bananas, finishing with a pudding layer on top.
- Chill and Set: Cover the pudding with plastic wrap, pressing it directly onto the surface to prevent a skin from forming. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight to let the flavors meld and the pudding set to the perfect consistency.
- Garnish and Serve: Before serving, top your pudding with a dollop of whipped cream and, if desired, a dusting of cocoa powder or a sprinkle of chopped nuts to enhance both texture and presentation.
Notes
- Use ripe bananas for maximum sweetness and flavor.
- Stir the pudding constantly while cooking to avoid lumps and scorching.
- Allow the pudding to chill well, preferably overnight, for best texture and flavor melding.
- For fresh whipped cream topping, whip cream with a little powdered sugar instead of using canned versions.
- To prevent banana browning, lightly brush banana slices with lemon juice if preparing in advance.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 30g
- Sodium: 90mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
Keywords: chocolate banana pudding, easy dessert, creamy pudding, chocolate dessert, banana dessert, no bake pudding