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banana pudding recipe

Easy Banana Pudding Recipe

This Easy Banana Pudding Recipe transforms simple pantry ingredients into layers of pure Southern comfort that taste like childhood memories and family gatherings. Creamy vanilla pudding, tender bananas, and crispy wafers meld together overnight it's nostalgic indulgence that brings everyone back to the table asking for just one more spoonful.
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Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American, Southern
Keyword: banana pudding recipe, classic banana pudding, easy banana pudding recipe, homemade banana pudding, Southern banana pudding, vanilla wafer banana pudding
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Chilling Time: 4 hours
Total Time: 4 hours 20 minutes
Servings: 10 servings
Calories: 385kcal
Cost: $6.75

Equipment

  • 1 Large mixing bowl To prepare pudding base and whipped cream
  • 1 Electric mixer To whip cream and beat cream cheese smooth
  • 1 Glass trifle bowl or 9x13 dish To layer and display the banana pudding
  • 1 Sharp knife To slice bananas evenly
  • 1 Rubber spatula To fold ingredients gently without deflating

Ingredients

  • 2 boxes instant vanilla pudding mix 3.4 oz each, don't use cook & serve type
  • 3 cups cold milk whole milk gives richest flavor
  • 8 oz cream cheese softened (room temperature for smooth mixing)
  • ½ cup powdered sugar helps stabilize whipped cream
  • 2 cups heavy cream for whipping, don't substitute
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract pure vanilla preferred
  • 4-5 large ripe bananas yellow with few brown spots
  • 1 box vanilla wafers 11 oz, Nilla wafers work best
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice optional, prevents banana browning
  • extra vanilla wafers for garnish optional for topping

Instructions

  • Whisk instant pudding mix with cold milk until thick. Beat cream cheese until smooth and fluffy. Fold pudding into cream cheese until combined. Whip heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla. Fold whipped cream into pudding mixture gently.
    making banana pudding recipe base with pudding, cream cheese, and whipped cream
  • Slice bananas into rounds, not too thin or they'll get mushy. Separate vanilla wafers for layering. Crush some extra wafers for the top if you want. Have everything ready before you start layering.
    sliced bananas and vanilla wafers for banana pudding recipe
  • Start with wafers in the bottom of your dish. Add layer of pudding mixture. Top with banana slices. Repeat layers until you run out of stuff. End with pudding on top.
    layering banana pudding recipe with wafers, pudding, and banana slices
  • Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 4 hours. Overnight is even better for the flavors to meld. Top with extra whipped cream before serving. Add crushed wafers for crunch if you want.
    banana pudding recipe chilled and topped with whipped cream and crushed wafers

Notes

The secret to perfect banana pudding lies in the overnight rest that allows vanilla wafers to soften into tender layers while the flavors marry into something magical. Choose bananas that are ripe but still firm yellow with just the right amount of brown spots so they hold their shape and sweetness without turning to mush in those beautiful, distinct layers.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 385kcal | Carbohydrates: 52g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 55mg | Sodium: 320mg | Potassium: 380mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 45g | Vitamin A: 520IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 180mg | Iron: 0.8mg