Description
Experience the iconic Magnolia Bakery Banana Pudding right in your own kitchen! This heavenly dessert layers creamy vanilla pudding, ripe bananas, and soft Nilla wafers for a perfectly balanced treat. With its light, fluffy texture and rich flavor, it’s no wonder this pudding is a fan favorite. Follow this guide to recreate the classic dessert and learn tips to customize it for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Pudding Base:
- 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
- 1½ cups ice-cold water
- 1 box (3.4 oz) instant vanilla pudding mix
- 3 cups heavy whipping cream
For the Layers:
- 4 cups Nilla wafers (or similar vanilla cookies)
- 4–5 ripe bananas, sliced
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Pudding Base
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the sweetened condensed milk and ice-cold water until well combined.
- Add the instant vanilla pudding mix to the bowl and whisk vigorously until smooth and thickened, about 2 minutes. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight, to allow the flavors to develop.
Step 2: Whip the Cream
- In a large mixing bowl, whip the heavy cream using an electric mixer on medium-high speed until stiff peaks form, about 3–5 minutes.
Step 3: Combine the Pudding and Whipped Cream
- Gently fold the whipped cream into the chilled pudding base. Fold until fully combined and fluffy, being careful not to deflate the mixture.
Step 4: Assemble the Banana Pudding
- In a large trifle dish, glass bowl, or individual serving cups, layer the ingredients as follows:
- Start with a layer of Nilla wafers.
- Add a layer of sliced bananas.
- Top with a generous layer of the pudding mixture.
- Repeat the layers until the dish is full, finishing with a layer of pudding.
Step 5: Chill and Serve
- Cover the assembled dessert with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours (or up to 8 hours) to allow the cookies to soften and the flavors to meld.
- Just before serving, garnish with crushed Nilla wafers or additional banana slices if desired.
Notes
- For a chocolate twist, use chocolate wafers or layer in chocolate pudding.
- To prevent bananas from browning, toss slices in a bit of lemon juice before layering.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days, though the bananas may soften further.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 4–8 hours
- Category: Comfort Food
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Calories: 400
- Fat: 20
- Carbohydrates: 50
- Protein: 6