Ready to Fall in Love? Meet Your New Favorite Dessert: Love Struck Peanut Banana Pudding!

Are you searching for that perfect dessert to sweep you off your feet, or maybe just to satisfy a serious sweet craving? Look no further! Prepare to be utterly smitten by the “Love Struck Peanut Banana Pudding.” This isn’t just any banana pudding; it’s a luscious, creamy concoction where the classic charm of banana meets the irresistible allure of peanut butter. Imagine layers of velvety peanut butter pudding, ripe bananas, and crisp vanilla wafers, all crowned with a cloud of whipped cream and a sprinkle of crunchy peanuts. It’s a match made in dessert heaven, and trust us, you’re about to experience love at first bite!

Why You’ll Love This Love Struck Peanut Banana Pudding

This dessert isn’t just delicious; it’s a true experience. Here are four irresistible reasons why the “Love Struck Peanut Banana Pudding” will quickly become a cherished recipe in your kitchen:

A Flavor Symphony: The combination of creamy peanut butter and sweet, ripe bananas is an iconic duo that tastes even better when swirled into a smooth pudding. It’s a comforting, nostalgic flavor with an exciting twist.
Effortlessly Elegant: Despite its gourmet taste and beautiful presentation, this pudding is surprisingly simple to make. With clear, step-by-step instructions, even novice bakers can achieve a show-stopping dessert that looks like it came straight from a patisserie.
Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether you’re planning a romantic Valentine’s treat, a family gathering, a summer BBQ, or simply need a pick-me-up, this pudding fits the bill. It’s universally loved and always a crowd-pleaser.
Texture Paradise: From the smooth, rich pudding to the tender bananas, the soft, cake-like vanilla wafers, and the delightful crunch of roasted peanuts, every spoonful offers a unique and satisfying textural journey. It’s an adventure for your taste buds!

Ingredients for Your Love Struck Peanut Banana Pudding ❤️

Gather your ingredients and get ready to create some magic!

🌾 1/3 cup all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
🧂 1/4 teaspoon fine salt
🍚 2/3 cup plus 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
🥛 1 3/4 cups whole milk
🥚 4 large egg yolks
🍦 1 3/4 cups heavy cream, divided
🥜 1/3 cup creamy peanut butter (all-natural recommended)
✨ 3 teaspoons pure vanilla extract, divided
🍪 50 vanilla wafers
🍌 4 medium ripe bananas, sliced
🌰 3/4 cup chopped roasted and salted peanuts, divided

Detailed Directions: Crafting Your Love Struck Peanut Banana Pudding

Let’s get cooking! Follow these simple steps to bring your peanut banana pudding to life:

Whip Up the Pudding Base: In a medium saucepan, grab your whisk and gently combine the flour, salt, and 2/3 cup of the granulated sugar. Once that’s well mixed, gradually whisk in the whole milk, egg yolks, and 1/2 cup of the heavy cream until you have a smooth, uniform mixture.
Cook to Perfection: Place your saucepan over medium heat. Now, here’s the crucial part: stir continuously! This prevents lumps and ensures even thickening. Keep stirring for about 7 to 9 minutes, until the mixture transforms into a beautiful, lovely pudding consistency. Once it reaches that perfect thickness, remove it from the heat.
Infuse the Flavor: While the pudding is still warm, stir in the creamy peanut butter and 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract. Stir, stir, stir until the peanut butter is completely melted and smoothly incorporated into the pudding. It should be wonderfully glossy and inviting.
Layer the Love: It’s assembly time! Take an 8×8-inch baking dish. Arrange 25 vanilla wafers in a single layer at the bottom, letting them slightly overlap to cover the base. Next, carefully spread half of your freshly sliced bananas over the wafers. Sprinkle this banana layer with 1/4 cup of the chopped peanuts.
Pour and Repeat: Gently pour half of your warm peanut pudding evenly over the banana and wafer layer. Follow this with the remaining banana slices, then the rest of the 25 vanilla wafers, and another 1/4 cup of chopped peanuts.
Chill Out: Cover your dish (plastic wrap works great) and pop it into the refrigerator. Let it chill for at least 4 hours, or even better, overnight. This crucial step allows the flavors to truly meld and the wafers to soften to that delightful cake-like texture.
Fluffy Topping Time: When your pudding is perfectly chilled and ready to serve, it’s time for the crowning glory! In a separate bowl, combine the remaining 3 tablespoons of sugar, 1 1/4 cups of heavy cream, and the last 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Using an electric mixer on medium-high speed, whisk until lovely stiff peaks form. This usually takes about 2 to 3 minutes.
The Grand Finale: Gently spread this airy, whipped topping over your chilled pudding. For that final touch of delightful crunch and a beautiful presentation, sprinkle the last 1/4 cup of chopped peanuts over the top. Serve immediately and enjoy the adoration!

Presenting and Serving Your Love Struck Peanut Banana Pudding

The “Love Struck Peanut Banana Pudding” isn’t just a treat for the taste buds; it’s a feast for the eyes too! Here are some creative ways to present and serve this delightful dessert:

Classic Dish Presentation: The 8×8-inch baking dish offers a rustic, comforting presentation. Scoop generous portions directly from the dish into individual bowls, ensuring each serving gets a bit of every delicious layer.
Elegant Individual Parfaits: For a more refined touch, layer the pudding, bananas, wafers, and peanuts in clear glass parfait cups or mason jars. This showcases the beautiful layers and makes for an impressive single-serving dessert, perfect for dinner parties or romantic evenings.
Garnish Galore: Beyond the chopped peanuts, consider adding a few extra touches. A drizzle of melted chocolate or caramel sauce, a scattering of mini chocolate chips, or even a few extra banana slices (brushed with lemon juice to prevent browning) on top of the whipped cream can elevate the presentation.
Deconstructed Charm: For a fun, playful twist, you could serve the pudding in small bowls with a side of extra vanilla wafers for dipping, and a small dish of chopped peanuts and perhaps some chocolate shavings for guests to customize their own toppings.
Warm Vs. Chilled: While traditionally served chilled, some enjoy a slightly warmer pudding (before adding the whipped cream) especially on a cold day. However, for this layered recipe, chilled is definitely recommended to allow the wafers to soften and flavors to fully meld.

Storing Your Love Struck Peanut Banana Pudding

So, you’ve made this incredible “Love Struck Peanut Banana Pudding,” and you’re wondering how to keep it fresh? Here’s how to store it and how long it typically lasts:

Once assembled, cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap or an airtight lid. This is crucial for keeping the pudding fresh and preventing it from absorbing other refrigerator odors. Store the pudding in the refrigerator. It will taste best within 2 to 3 days. While it can last up to 4 days, the bananas may start to brown and become very soft after the third day, affecting the appearance and texture slightly. For optimal enjoyment, aim to finish it within that initial 2-3 day window. Freezing is not recommended for this pudding, as the dairy components and bananas tend to separate and become watery upon thawing, compromising the delicious, creamy texture.

FAQs About Love Struck Peanut Banana Pudding

Got questions about whipping up this delightful dessert? We’ve got answers!

Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy?
Yes, you absolutely can! Crunchy peanut butter will add an extra layer of texture to the pudding, which can be a delightful surprise. Just be aware the pudding itself won’t be as uniformly smooth.
How ripe should the bananas be for this recipe?
Medium ripe bananas are ideal – yellow with a few brown speckles. They’re sweet and soft enough to blend well with the pudding but still hold their shape without being overly mushy.
Can I make this recipe dairy-free or gluten-free?
Making it dairy-free would require substitutions for milk, heavy cream, and potentially the vanilla wafers. For gluten-free, you would need to use gluten-free vanilla wafers and ensure all other ingredients are certified gluten-free. These substitutions might alter the texture and flavor.
What if my pudding doesn’t thicken?
Pudding thickening relies on proper cooking time and continuous stirring. If it’s not thickening, continue to cook and stir over medium heat for a few more minutes. Ensure you are using egg yolks, which are key thickeners.
Can I prepare this pudding ahead of time for a party?
Absolutely! This is an excellent make-ahead dessert. It needs at least 4 hours to chill, but preparing it the day before (up to the point of adding the whipped topping) allows the flavors to meld beautifully. Add the whipped topping and final peanuts just before serving.
Can I use a different type of cookie or wafer?
While vanilla wafers are traditional, you could experiment with graham crackers, shortbread cookies, or even Nilla Wafers for a slightly different flavor profile. The key is a cookie that softens nicely when exposed to moisture.
Why is the chilling time so important?
Chilling time is crucial for several reasons: it allows the pudding to set completely, lets the vanilla wafers soften to a cake-like consistency, and most importantly, gives all the flavors ample time to meld and deepen for the best taste.
Can I add chocolate chips to the layers?
Yes, a sprinkle of mini chocolate chips or finely chopped chocolate between the layers would be a fantastic addition, especially if you love the chocolate-peanut butter combination!
Is it possible to reduce the sugar content?
You can try reducing the sugar in the pudding base by a tablespoon or two, but it might affect the overall balance of flavors and creaminess slightly. We don’t recommend reducing the sugar for the whipped topping as it helps stabilize it.
Can I freeze individual portions of the Love Struck Peanut Banana Pudding?
Freezing is not recommended for this recipe. The bananas will become watery and mushy upon thawing, and the creamy pudding texture can become grainy and separate. It’s best enjoyed fresh and chilled from the refrigerator.

Love Struck Peanut Banana Pudding ❤️

Indulge in this romantic and delightful peanut banana pudding, a perfect treat to share with loved ones. Layers of creamy peanut butter pudding, ripe bananas, vanilla wafers, and a fluffy whipped cream topping make every bite heavenly.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 25

Cook Time 15

Chilling Time 4

Total Time 40

Servings 8 servings

Calories 400 kcal

Equipment

Medium Saucepan
8x8-inch baking dish
Electric Mixer

Ingredients

0.33 cup all-purpose flour spooned and leveled
0.25 tsp fine salt
0.66 cup granulated sugar for pudding
3 tbsp granulated sugar for topping
1.75 cups whole milk
4 large egg yolks
1.75 cups heavy cream divided
0.33 cup creamy peanut butter all-natural recommended
3 tsp pure vanilla extract divided
50 vanilla wafers
4 medium ripe bananas sliced
0.75 cup chopped roasted and salted peanuts divided

Instructions

In a medium saucepan, gently whisk together the flour, salt, and 2/3 cup of sugar until well combined. Gradually whisk in the milk, egg yolks, and 1/2 cup of the heavy cream until smooth. Cook this mixture over medium heat, stirring continuously, until it thickens into a lovely pudding consistency, usually taking about 7 to 9 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the creamy peanut butter and 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract until completely smooth.
Arrange 25 vanilla wafers in a single layer, slightly overlapping, at the bottom of an 8x8-inch baking dish. Carefully spread half of your sliced bananas over the wafers, then sprinkle with 1/4 cup of the chopped peanuts. Pour the warm peanut pudding evenly over this layer. Follow with the remaining banana slices, then the remaining 25 vanilla wafers, and another 1/4 cup of chopped peanuts. Cover the dish and let it chill in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours, or ideally, overnight, to allow the flavors to meld beautifully.
For the fluffy topping, in a separate bowl, whisk the remaining 3 tablespoons of sugar, 1 1/4 cups of heavy cream, and the last 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract with an electric mixer on medium-high speed. Continue to whisk until lovely stiff peaks form, which should take about 2 to 3 minutes. Gently spread this airy topping over the chilled pudding. Finish by sprinkling the final 1/4 cup of chopped peanuts over the top for a delightful crunch.

Notes

Feel free to adjust the sweetness to your liking. All-natural peanut butter is recommended for the best flavor and texture. This pudding is even better made the day before!

Nutrition Information (per serving):
Calories: 400
Total Carbs: 50g
Net Carbs: 45g
Fats: 30g
Protein: 10g

Easy Best Recipe: Love Struck Peanut Banana Pudding