Coconut Ube Banana Pudding
Recipe Guy
Fil-Am dessert | Ube pudding | Coconut cream
Vanilla wafers soften between layers of ube custard, sliced banana, and whipped cream in this coconut banana pudding. Ube halaya gives the custard substance as well as color, while toasted coconut adds a crisp finish to an otherwise softly layered dessert.
Why make it: This original version uses the structure of banana pudding with ube and coconut flavors.
Fresh From the Kitchen
These photos show the colors, textures, and serving style to look for when making Coconut Ube Banana Pudding.
About This Recipe
The custard combines dairy milk and coconut milk with egg yolks and cornstarch, then takes on ube halaya and extract. Straining after the halaya is mixed in helps keep the texture smooth enough to spread between the cookies and fruit.
Choose bananas that are ripe but still hold a clean slice. The four-hour chill gives the wafers time to soften and the layers time to settle together. Save the toasted coconut for the finish, where its crunch can still stand out.
Cooking Notes
- Cool the custard before layering it with whipped cream. Warm custard can loosen the cream and turn distinct layers into a runny mixture before the pudding reaches the refrigerator.
- Cover the banana slices with custard as you assemble, rather than leaving a layer exposed on top. Keep the final toasted coconut separate until the pudding is ready to serve.
Ingredient Notes
For ube custard
Ube halaya adds flavor and color; strain for smoothness.
For bananas
Use ripe but firm bananas so they hold shape.
Coconut Ube Banana Pudding Recipe
This original version uses the structure of banana pudding with ube and coconut flavors.
Shopping List
- ube halaya
- coconut milk
- milk
- egg yolks
- cornstarch
- bananas
- vanilla wafers
- cream
Ingredients
Ube Custard
- 1 cup coconut milk
- 1 cup milk
- 4 egg yolks
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1/2 cup ube halaya
- 1/2 teaspoon ube extract
Layers
- 4 bananas, sliced
- 1 box vanilla wafers
- 2 cups whipped cream
For Serving
- Toasted coconut
Instructions
- In a 2-quart saucepan, warm both the 1 cup coconut milk and 1 cup dairy milk over medium heat until steaming. In a bowl, combine the sugar and cornstarch, then whisk in the yolks until smooth. Slowly whisk about half the hot milk mixture into the yolks; return everything to the saucepan. Whisk constantly over medium heat, scraping the corners, until thick and bubbling through the center. Keep whisking at a gentle bubble for 1 minute, then remove from the heat.
- Whisk in ube halaya and extract, then strain.
- Transfer the strained custard to a shallow heatproof container. Press food-safe wrap onto its surface and refrigerate promptly until cold, about 2 hours; do not cool it on the counter for hours.
- Layer cookies, bananas, ube custard, and whipped cream.
- Repeat layers.
- Chill at least 4 hours.
- Top with toasted coconut.
Nutrition Estimate
Approximate values per serving based on the listed ingredients and yield. Actual nutrition will vary by brand, exact portion size, and cooking changes.
Tips For The Best Coconut Ube Banana Pudding
- Strain custard: It keeps the pudding smooth.
- Chill long enough: Cookies soften into cake-like layers.
- Use firm bananas: Overripe bananas weep.
- Toast coconut: It adds texture.
How To Serve And Store
Serve chilled. Refrigerate for up to 3 days.
Common Questions
Can I use instant pudding?
For a shortcut, yes, but homemade ube custard tastes better.
Can I skip bananas?
Then it becomes more of an ube icebox pudding.
Can I use graham crackers?
Yes.
Should the vanilla wafers stay crunchy in this pudding?
No. The chill is intended to soften them into tender layers that can be scooped with the custard and bananas. The toasted coconut, added at the end, supplies the contrasting crisp texture.
Can I use ube extract instead of the halaya?
Not as a direct replacement. Extract supplies concentrated flavor and color, while the half cup of halaya also contributes body and sweetness. Leaving out the halaya changes more than the shade of the pudding.
Would ube banana pudding show up at your holiday table? Share your family version or testing notes in the comments.
Recipe inspiration and technique reference: original Filipino-American riff development informed by Love, Filipino Food, Kitchen Confidante, The Dusky Kitchen, and the site roadmap.
Technique and food-safety references: kingarthurbaking.com; fsis.usda.gov.
