Homemade Banana Pudding

This banana pudding recipe has it all. The pudding is made with half and half for richness, egg yolks and cornstarch for a sure thickening, just the right amount of sweetness, and to fancy it up we add a vanilla bean and fresh grated nutmeg for flavor.

Then it includes a generous amount of just ripened bananas, and of course those simple but ever so nostalgic store-bought vanilla wafers. And no baking required.

It's as good as it gets!

This is a year round dessert that's perfect for a holiday celebration, a welcome addition to a weekend dinner, or just because you want a treat yourself kind of indulgence today.

Serve it up laid back casserole style in a baking dish or make it more elegant and serve in individual tumblers or dessert cups.

Have family or friends help with this fun layered cooking project that once complete is amazingly refreshing and satisfying with each and every bite!

The custard is baked in individual dishes in a water-bath after which it's chilled to set, and for the crowning finish it's sprinkled with plain sugar and melted with a hot flame to caramelize.

What is Creme Brûlée?

Crème brûlée is a French dessert that literally means "burnt cream," as it is a custard with a hard caramelized sugar shell coating the top. The contrasting layers make it one of my favorite dessert recipes out there.

It is generally made in individual dishes called "ramekins" and served chilled. And it can be made in various flavors but the classic mostly commonly found variation is vanilla.

Dessert really just doesn't get any better than this! To crack through that incredibly crisp, perfectly golden brown, candy-like shell into a decadent, silky smooth custard is supreme dessert bliss.

This is proof that sometimes the simplest ingredients can create the ultimate recipes.

This dramatic dessert may seem intimidating to make but it really is quite easy. Just follow this method and you can't go wrong.

What is Tiramisu?

Tiramisu is a beautiful, layered Italian dessert made with lady fingers that have been dipped in strong coffee and aligned in a baking dish, then spread atop is a layer of sweet and fluffy mascarpone custard, and it's dusted with a decadent cocoa finish.

In this tiramisu recipe the layering process is done twice but other versions may have a group of three repetitive layers or just a single set of layers.

It can be made to include a few splashes of alcohol such as rum, brandy or marsala wine, or it can be left out altogether. I prefer without because it really lets the flavors of the coffee and cocoa shine without an overwhelming flavor of alcohol (in a side by side taste test the alcohol free version won for me, but definitely make it how you'd like).

Another difference you'll find among tiramisu is raw eggs or tempered eggs. This version is uses just yolks (I think the whites can have an eggy flavor here), and they are tempered to kill off potential bacteria.

There are several other variations of the dessert. You'll find tiramisu cake, tiramisu cheesecake, there's also tiramisu overnight oats, cupcakes, a martini and trifles.

It also comes in various flavors. This is the coffee and chocolate version but other popular flavors include strawberry tiramisu, matcha, lemon and pumpkin.

This traditional tiramisu is one of my all time favorite desserts! You can't go wrong with those cakey soaked ladyfingers, roasted espresso, rich mascarpone and cream, and a chocolatey cocoa finish. It's such a dreamy dessert!

Our Favorite Chia Pudding!

Chia seed pudding is a healthy pudding made with rich in fiber chia seeds, some type of milk, a little sweetener, and optional flavorings and toppings. It is usually made from vegan ingredients and it's easy as can be to make!

All the ingredients are simply mixed together in a jar or bowl then rested overnight in the fridge so chia seeds have time to plump and soften. Then the next day it's ready to enjoy and you end with the perfect consistency and texture.

I didn't used to care much for chia pudding but that was until I started adding canned coconut milk (in addition to a non-dairy milk) for an extra boost of creamy richness, and also I added some flavorful extract (my favorite is coconut here).

I found it doesn't need a whole lot of either to really take it from bland and boring to something you'll actually crave.

Then of course, to really highlight it, I recommend finishing it with fresh diced fruit (or puree). My favorites are peaches or mangoes, especially with this coconut vibe we have going.

But truly it's a blank canvas, start with the main base then finish it off with toppings to your hearts content. And for more of a dessert, be sure to try the tempting chocolate variation as well!

What's an Icebox Cake?

It is a type of no-bake "cake" that is generally layered with crackers, wafers or cookies which alternates with a cream filling. They can also include fruits, nuts and other mix-ins and they come in various flavors such as chocolate or strawberry.

After assembly, the icebox cake is set in the fridge to rest while the cracker layer absorbs some of the moisture from the cream filling and softens and becomes cake-like.

Since the cake is served cold it's a great dessert for hot summer days.

This icebox cake, which is made with fresh raspberries, is my favorite version. It's adapted from my fluffy Raspberry Cheesecake Mousse, but instead of individual cups it's layered into a pretty cake-like form.

In this recipe, you can appreciate that we ditch any cool whip or pudding mix (often found in icebox cakes) and make the filling and topping from scratch. Trust me it's a thousand times better!

This dessert is decadent, fruity, fluffy, creamy, fresh, flavorful, lightly tangy, perfectly sweet, and just beyond tasty!

It's the dessert that's worth every bit of effort and it will earn high praise at the dinner table.

All About Panna Cotta

What is panna cotta anyway?

Panna Cotta is a popular chilled Italian dessert made of cream (and often milk) that is sweetened with sugar, flavored with vanilla and uses gelatin to thicken and hold its form.

Panna cotta in Italian translates to "cooked cream."

This dessert can be served straight from the cups it's chilled in or unmolded and inverted into dessert plates.

To me it is something reminiscent of ice cream and jello. Though it's the best upgrade you could ever imagine to traditional jello because cream makes everything better.

Plus this has a more welcome, more melt-in-your-mouth-like texture than jello does.

Panna Cotta can also be made with other flavor variations as well. Other popular flavors include chocolate panna cotta, mango, coconut, coffee and lemon.

This is a must try treat that's perfectly refreshing on a hot summers eve. And of course it's a dessert people of all ages will love!

About This Homemade Chocolate Pudding

I think pudding can have a bad reputation. Because when we think of pudding many of us instantly think of the shelf stable singles highly lacking in flavor that are filled with artificial flavor and preservatives. This freshly made pudding is a thousand times better!

And the method to making it is incredibly easy.

Just whisk the ingredients, simmer over the stovetop, (strain if you are picky and like it lump-free like me), then mix in the chopped chocolate at the end.

From there the hardest part is waiting for it to chill in the fridge to fully thicken (which also makes it nicely cold and refreshing).

It's the perfect dessert year round but especially during hot summer days.

Spoon finished pudding into pretty glasses or cups, finish each with a billowy mound of airy whipped cream, and fine shavings of dark chocolate. Here you'll have an elegant dessert that's destined to impress anyone.

I think this is even worthy of being deemed as the best pudding recipe! It's definitely the favorite around here, we just can't get enough of it!

What is Flan?

Flan is a European and Latin dessert made up of a caramel topping and custard base that's made with milk, eggs and sweetener (which may already be included in the milk). It is usually baked in a water bath for the best texture, and after baking it is chilled then later inverted onto a platter.

This version is Flan de Queso - Cream Cheese Flan. It is easily my favorite! Traditional Spanish flan is so tasty but then when you add some rich and tangy cream cheese it becomes just that much better.

Here I've included step by step photos. This is especially helpful with the caramel step, be careful that you don't burn it. And that you work carefully and quickly.

Other than that this homemade flan is a breeze to make! And who doesn't love a recipe that only requires 6 ingredients?

What does it taste like?

Flan has a rich, toasted sugar caramel flavor from the topping and the base tastes very milky, perfectly sweet and lightly eggy. It is similar to creme brulee or panna cotta in taste, but texturally the three are quite different.

Looking for more heavenly desserts? Then also try my classic Cheesecake, Chocolate Covered Strawberries, or Molten Chocolate Lava Cakes.

When there's chocolate mousse this good being served there is just absolutely no resisting! Each bite melts away in your mouth and that level of unparalleled richness can't be matched!

If only it could qualify for breakfast. I could live on this delicious treat, it's always been one of my favorites!

The perfect finishing touch for this mousse is simple and delicate whipped cream and thin shavings of dark chocolate. Not only does it make it look elegant and add visually appealing variation but it just compliments and finishes it off as it should be.

Of course this is no diet friendly menu item and low calorie dessert but it's worth every bit of it. All things in moderation.

Mousse Made without Raw Eggs!

With this mousse recipe there's no worries about food borne illness since there are no raw eggs in this recipe. Here we cook the egg yolk mixture to 160 degrees to kill off any potentially harmful bacteria.

So it's a dessert you don't have to worry about serving to guests. Everyone will be smitten with this cup full of chocolate bliss!

And it really is less intimidating to make than you may think. Just a few simple steps, then the hardest part is the wait times while chilling, but the patience is worth it!

The Best Vanilla Ice Cream Recipe

Let's just start by saying there's nothing "vanilla" about this recipe. If you're one of those that think vanilla ice cream is too boring of a flavor, I'm about to change your mind with the best vanilla ice cream recipe.

This easy homemade ice cream recipe is a sweet and creamy delight that tastes as it came right out of an old school ice cream parlor. It's perfect to eat as is, or you can use it as a base to dress up with all of your favorite toppings and sauces.

Take it over the top and make an ice cream sundae with sweet sliced bananas, crunchy nuts and the best hot fudge sauce and salted caramel sauce. Then crown it with whipped cream and a colorful maraschino cherry if you can't resist!

Photography credit: Jenn Davis of Two Cups Flour.