Like most kids, I loved all ice cream flavors. When you're a kid, you don't complain about the ice cream flavor, as long as you're getting ice cream. However, I did have a few favorites including cookies and cream (still a favorite today), mocha almond fudge, and Neopolitan. Granted, I ate very little of the vanilla side and ate mostly the chocolate and strawberry, but I still enjoyed every bit. I rarely have Neopolitan ice cream anymore, but I have it in other dessert forms. The classic combination works for many different desserts including this Neopolitan banana pudding. Layers of chocolate, strawberry, and vanilla pudding with vanilla wafers and fresh bananas? Yes, please.
Neopolitan Banana Pudding
Ingredients
Vanilla pudding
- 2 cups milk, divided (500 ml)
- 5 tablespoons granulated sugar (62 grams)
- pinch of salt
- 2 large egg yolks
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- ½ vanilla bean seeds removed
Strawberry pudding
- 1 cup milk, divided (500 ml)
- 5 ounces strawberry puree
- ¼ cup granulated sugar (50 grams)
- pinch of salt
- 2 large egg yolks
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Chocolate pudding
- 2 cups milk, divided (500 ml)
- 5 tablespoons granulated sugar (62 grams)
- ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder (20 grams)
- pinch of salt
- 2 large egg yolks
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Remaining ingredients
- 4-5 bananas sliced
- 1 16-ounce package vanilla wafers
- 1 cup heavy cream (250 ml)
- ¼ cup powdered sugar (32 grams)
- fresh strawberries for garnish optional
Instructions
- Make vanilla pudding. Simmer 1 ½ cups milk with sugar and a pinch of salt over low heat just until warm. Whisk egg yolks with remaining ½ cup milk and cornstarch in a medium bowl. Slowly add milk to egg mixture, whisking constantly. Pour the pudding back into the pot and bring to a simmer over low heat, whisking constantly until thickened. Remove from heat and transfer to a bowl. Cover with plastic wrap directly touching the surface and let cool.
- Make strawberry pudding. Follow the same steps as the vanilla pudding but heat milk with sugar, pinch of salt, and strawberry puree. Continue same steps for the eggs and finishing the pudding.
- Make chocolate pudding. Follow the same steps as the vanilla pudding but heat milk with sugar, pinch of salt, and cocoa powder. Continue same steps for the eggs and finishing the pudding.
- Assemble pudding. Spread chocolate pudding in bottom of a 8x8 baking dish or in individual serving cups. Top chocolate pudding with wafers and banana slices. Spoon strawberry pudding on top followed by more wafers and banana slices. Finish with vanilla pudding and a final layer of wafers. Transfer pudding to the fridge and chill for at least 4 hours or overnight.
- Whip heavy cream with powdered sugar until stiff peaks form. Top neopolitan banana pudding with whipped cream and garnish with fresh strawberries and crushed wafers if desired.
**Helpful tips and common mistakes
If you ever had banana pudding, chances are you're going to like this Neopolitan version. The idea is the same, layering pudding with cookies and sliced banana. However, this recipe is extra special because there are 3 different puddings. This also means that it's 3 times the work but luckily, you can prepare all of the puddings the day before.
To make the chocolate and strawberry pudding, we're going to add cocoa powder and pureed strawberry to the basic vanilla version. To make strawberry puree, just blend fresh strawberries until smooth. I don't recommend using frozen strawberries because the frozen ones tend to be bland.
No matter which flavor you're making, the process for making the puddings is the same. First, whisk egg yolks with milk and cornstarch. Heat up the milk with sugar and any other ingredients just until warm. Then, slowly whisk the warm milk mixture into the egg yolks, whisking constantly.
Return the mixture to the stove and continue to simmer until thickened. Transfer the pudding into a bowl and place plastic wrap directly on top of the pudding. We want to cover the top so that skin doesn't form. Then, let the puddings cool completely.
Now that the hard part is over, it's time to assemble the Neopolitan banana pudding. I've made the classic version with graham crackers but decided to use vanilla wafers for this recipe. I thought the buttery cookies complimented the dessert better, while graham crackers can compete with the other flavors.
This recipe makes enough to fill an 8x8inch baking pan, however, you can also prepare individual servings as well.
Spread the chocolate pudding on the bottom of your dish in an even layer. Arrange the vanilla wafers on top followed by the banana. Continue this step using the strawberry and vanilla pudding.
Finish the pudding with a final layer of vanilla wafers, then chill the pudding for at least 4 hours, or better yet, overnight.
When you're ready to serve the dessert, top it with whipped cream. If you want to make it extra fancy, garnish it with fresh strawberries and crushed wafers.
It's hard to go wrong with this Neopolitan banana pudding. You already know what you're getting even before you taste it so it's almost a guarantee that you'll love it. I know I did!
For more Neopolitan dessert inspiration check out these Neopolitan cream puffs!
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