This banana pudding is a delicious layered dessert of cookies, banana slices, and a creamy vanilla pudding mixture, then chilled. So easy to make!
Banana Pudding
Banana pudding is a perfect treat for any occasion, whether you're looking for a sweet after dinner treat or need a dessert for a potluck.
This easy-to-make recipe only takes 20 minutes to prepare and serves 8-10 people.
It's best enjoyed chilled and makes a great make-ahead option that allows the flavors to blend beautifully overnight in the fridge.
Perfect for a summer day, a holiday gathering, or just when you're craving something sweet, this banana pudding is a go-to dessert.
Ingredients for Banana Pudding
Bananas: Choose ripe bananas that have some brown spots for the best sweetness. Slicing them just before assembling can prevent them from turning brown.
Vanilla wafers: The classic choice for banana pudding.
Whole milk: You can substitute with 2% milk for a lighter version, but the creaminess might be reduced.
Sweetened condensed milk: There's no real substitute for this ingredient, as it is key to the dessert's richness.
Instant vanilla pudding mix: Make sure it's instant so it combines well with the other ingredients without needing to cook.
Vanilla extract: Using pure vanilla extract will give the best flavor, but imitation vanilla can work in a pinch.
Heavy cream: Make sure it's very cold before whipping.
Powdered sugar: Adjust the quantity to taste, depending on how sweet you like your topping.
How to Make Banana Pudding
Mix the milk, sweetened condensed milk, instant vanilla pudding mix, and vanilla extract in a large mixing bowl. Whisk them all together until they're smooth.
Let the pudding mixture sit for about 5 minutes to thicken.
Next, in a different bowl, whip the heavy cream and powdered sugar with a mixer until you see stiff peaks form in the cream. Then, carefully fold this whipped cream with the pudding mix until they're all mixed together thoroughly.
You can use a trifle dish, a large glass bowl or even a casserole dish. Place a layer of vanilla wafers at the bottom, then add a layer of sliced bananas on top.
Next, pour some of your pudding mixture over the bananas and make sure it's spread out evenly.
Keep doing these layers - wafer, bananas, then pudding - until you've used up all your ingredients, finishing with a pudding layer on top.
If you want, you can crush a few more vanilla wafers and sprinkle them over the final pudding layer.
Cover the dish with plastic wrap and stick it into the fridge.
Chill for at least 4 hours. When it's time to eat, serve it cold and enjoy!
Tips & Tricks to Make the Best Banana Pudding
Here are some tips and tricks to make your banana pudding even better:
Use ripe bananas: To get the best flavor, use bananas that are ripe but still firm. If they're too ripe, they'll be mushy; too green, and they won't have enough banana flavor.
Let it sit: After putting your banana pudding together, let it chill in the fridge for at least 4 hours or overnight. This waiting time makes it taste so much better because the flavors mix together, and it gets really cold.
Layer like a pro: To make your pudding look as good as it tastes, put care into your layers. Keep the layers neat for a pretty presentation when you serve it.
Toppings: Before serving, add some extra whipped cream on top and a few banana slices or even a sprinkle of cinnamon.
How to Store Leftovers
If you end up with leftovers, cover it tightly or you can transfer it to an airtight container and store it in the fridge. It is best eaten within about 3 days.
More Dessert Recipes
- Banana Split Cake
- Chocolate Lush
- Peanut Butter Icebox Cake
- Cherry Delight
- Strawberry Pretzel Salad
- More Dessert Ideas
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Banana Pudding
Ingredients
- 4 ripe bananas sliced
- 1 box vanilla wafers about 11 ounces
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 can sweetened condensed milk 14 ounces
- 1 package instant vanilla pudding mix 3.4 ounces
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 3 Tablespoons powdered sugar
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the whole milk, sweetened condensed milk, instant vanilla pudding mix, and vanilla extract. Whisk together until smooth and well combined. Set aside for about 5 minutes to allow the pudding to thicken.
- In another mixing bowl, whip the heavy cream and powdered sugar together until stiff peaks form.
- Gently fold the whipped cream into the pudding mixture until fully incorporated.
- In a trifle dish or a large glass bowl, start layering the dessert. Begin with a layer of vanilla wafers at the bottom of the dish.
- Top the wafers with a layer of sliced bananas.
- Pour a portion of the pudding mixture over the bananas and spread it out evenly.
- Repeat the layers: vanilla wafers, bananas, and pudding, until all ingredients are used, ending with a final layer of pudding on top.
- Optionally, you can crush a few extra vanilla wafers and sprinkle them on top for added texture.
- Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight, to allow the flavors to meld together and the pudding to set.
- Serve chilled.
Notes
Pudding Consistency: Make sure the pudding mixture has thickened before folding in the whipped cream for a creamier texture.
Layering: For an even distribution of flavors, make sure each layer of bananas, wafers, and pudding is evenly spread. Nutritional information is an estimate and may vary based on the specific ingredients and brands used.
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