Today’s recipe is a simple vegan banana pudding. I am not a vegan, however I am working on changing some of my dietary habits especially when it comes to desserts. This one was a challenge. Why? Because banana pudding (the traditional way) is perfection in my eyes. It’s like what Junior’s is to cheesecake. Like what Katz Deli is to a pastrami sandwich. You get my drift.
I was reluctant to think about banana pudding any other way but in its rich, yummy, fatty glory. But I exercised will power and did it anyway. Here is my Vegan Banana Pudding. Took me 2 tries but I think this version is perfect. The Hubs enjoyed it and trust me he doesn’t want to hear it when it comes to a healthier dessert. Score for me! I won’t lie though, this will not replace my beloved traditional banana pudding. I may a “Will you marry me?” it’s that good version. But for guilt free yumminess, this recipe does the trick.
Since I mentioned cheesecake, I received the sweetest inbox message from Donna (a woman I met at Ikea) saying she made my Strawberry Cheesecake Bites for a brunch over the weekend and they were a big hit. Awww, it’s nice to know you guys are trying out the recipes. Seriously, I almost cried. My eyes did get wet but who says those were tears? WHO?
Vegan Banana Pudding
Ingredients
2 cups unsweetened almond milk
¼ cup raw sugar
2 tablespoons cornstarch
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
2 ½ medium bananas
½ box of vegan vanilla wafers
Cinnamon for dusting
Instructions
Heat milk in a medium saucepan over low heat, stirring to avoid scald. Mash half of a banana mixing it with a little water and then add to milk. Whisk until mixture is well combined.
Mix cornstarch and sugar together in a small mixing bowl. Add 1 to 2 tablespoons of water and mix creating a paste. Whisk in to milk. Raise heat to medium-high. Stir until mixture thickens, approximately 5-7 minutes.
Transfer pudding to a bowl and set a layer of plastic wrap directly on top of the pudding. Refrigerate to set (2-4 hours)
For individual servings, put a thin layer of pudding in a dessert glass then layer with wafers and sliced bananas. Continue this process for 2-3 layers. For one large pudding, layer a small baking dish starting with wafers, then a layer of bananas and a layer of pudding. Repeat this process to form a second layer.
Dust with cinnamon.
Now here’s the pudding recipe. Enjoy.
