Baked Cougar Bakes - Bruleed Bourbon Banana Pudding on the "balcony"
Is it even banana pudding if you can’t taste the bourbon?
There are a couple bakeries here in NYC that people from all over the world will journey to for their banana pudding. Traveling for food is something I love to do. I fully support and encourage everyone to do this is, it is rewarding on so many levels.
When I learned how this pilgrimage worthy banana pudding is made, by all means, still come to NYC for a visit, it is ALWAYS worth a visit. But if you have a craving for some of this banana pudding the furthest you will need to travel is your closest grocery store.
I traveled all the way to the upper east side (for a New Yorker, Williamsburg, Brooklyn to the Upper East Side is a full on pilgrimage) to one of my girlfriends place for some bitching, bourbon and weed on her balcony.
Ok, it’s her fire escape but we make the best with what we have. We needed to catch each other up on our latest dating adventures so I thought it would be best if we had an indulgent dessert to throw down our gullets to sooth any and all horrific moments we were about to regal one another with.
Heads up, I made this banana pudding with the same recipe/method used from these bakeries. The difference is that I add liquor, I mean, it’s me. And I decided that they should be bruleed. I am all to happy to travel with my blow torch, when needed.
If you don’t have a blow torch this is a very valid reason to buy one. Trust me, when it comes to drink and food, I will never steer you wrong. I also found it very useful to light my joint as neither of us had a lighter or matches.
Happy brûlée-ing.
1 box of Jell-o instant vanilla pudding, Make just as the instructions on the side of the box tell you to make it. Cover and put in fridge for at least 30 minutes.
Whip up 1 cup of heavy cream to medium/stiff peaks, cover and put into the fridge.
Slice, dice, chop however the hell you feel you want 3 ripe bananas. (I dice them for the mouth feel)
Mhmm mouth feel
Grab that pudding and add bourbon or rum to taste. My taste requires a heavy pour. Judge me, I do. I add about 1/4 cup Bourbon. You don’t want to add too much because it will thin the pudding out and won’t set up.
Add the cut up bananas and mix just until well combined
Grab that whipped cream and gently fold into the banana pudding. The 2 of these want and need each other so badly but be gentle as you go here, no need for any forceful over stirring at this point. All that is needed is some gentle folding.
Line 6 - 5 oz ramekins with mini Nilla Wafers (I used 6 ramekins because that’s all I have)
Scoop a heaping spoonful on top of the Nilla Wafers, spread to make it even
Place a layer of mini Nilla Wafers on top of the pudding and add another spoonful of pudding and even out so that the pudding is at the very top of the ramekin. Cover with Saran Wrap and freeze for 30 minutes.
Remove from the freezer and sprinkle a light, even layer of Turbinado Sugar all over the top surface of the pudding. Burn evenly with the blow torch and serve immediately
Enjoy while you share dating horror stories with your bestie.
