James Dean’s Favorite Retro Dessert Deserves a Comeback

Here at Allrecipes, we love revisiting old-school food fads, especially those of our favorite golden-age stars. Whether it’s Marilyn Monroe’s egg ritual, Audrey Hepburn’s peculiar pasta, or Elizabeth Taylor’s peanut butter-and-bacon sandwiches, it’s fascinating to see which trends have stuck around and which now only exist in old magazines.

Well, for 1950s Hollywood heartthrob James Dean, things have definitely changed. His self-proclaimed favorite food is one you’ve probably never even heard of before. But, even though it’s been forgotten over time, we think it’s time this retro recipe got a reboot.

James Dean’s Favorite Food 

According to “James Dean: The Biography” by Val Holley, Dean was interviewed for his high school paper in 1948, before hitting it big in Hollywood. In the story, he mentions his childhood in California, his favorite hobbies—motorcycles, ice-skating, art, and drama—and his favorite food: his Aunt Ortense’s banana salad. 

Dean’s aunt, Ortense Winslow, raised him from the age of nine after his mom’s death and was responsible for cooking many of the recipes that defined the actor’s childhood. And, thanks to the cookbook “Recipes for Rebels”—a recipe collection from his friends, family, and costars—we now know the exact ‘banana salad’ recipe Dean was referring to.

What Is Banana Salad? 

Having seen a fair share of retro salads, we assumed a banana salad would include Jell-O or mayonnaise, maybe mini marshmallows, and a canned fruit cocktail—a true 1950s marvel. But, no—thankfully, this salad doesn’t include any of the old-fashioned salad elements we’re used to, and it actually looks much better than it sounds. 

This banana salad is almost like a vintage version of banana pudding, incorporating fresh sliced bananas with a simple cooked pudding (or what was called “dressing”) and crushed peanuts. Occasionally, it was topped with crushed Corn Flakes instead, but the key characteristics of the dessert were the same: sweet, salty, creamy, and crunchy. It’s no wonder this homestyle sweet was a favorite in Dean’s house.

Even several decades later, this recipe still holds up. It relies on just six simple ingredients to create a delicious and texturally decadent treat. Best of all, it’s quick and easy to make. So, whether you’re throwing a retro dinner party or craving a nostalgic twist on banana pudding, James Dean’s favorite banana salad is sure to transport you back to the good ol’ days.

How to Make James Dean’s Favorite Banana Salad

To make this simple “salad,” start by whisking one cup of sugar and one to two tablespoons of flour together in a dry saucepan. Add a cup of milk and heat the mixture over medium-high heat until it comes to a boil and the sugar dissolves completely. Then, remove from the heat.

In a separate bowl, beat one egg. While beating, slowly pour half of the warm mixture into the bowl to temper the egg. Pour the egg mixture back into the saucepan, and, whisking constantly, continue cooking the mixture for another few minutes until it thickens slightly. Then, remove the pan from the heat to cool down, then transfer it to a separate bowl to set in the fridge until chilled. 

Apparently, Dean’s Aunt Ortense typically served this dessert family-style, meaning the dish was layered into one big serving bowl. So, to recreate it, you’ll slice two to three bananas into coins and layer them at the bottom of a serving dish. Next, sprinkle with about a half cup of chopped Spanish peanuts, then spoon half of the chilled dressing on top. 

Repeat with another layer of bananas, peanuts, and dressing. Serve the dessert chilled or at room temperature with a dollop of whipped cream, if desired.