A creamy, dreamy dessert layered with vanilla pudding, fresh bananas, and cookies. Classic Southern comfort food that’s simple, nostalgic, and irresistibly delicious. Perfect for potlucks, holidays, or anytime you want a crowd-pleasing sweet treat.
Explanation
Banana pudding is made by layering vanilla pudding with sliced bananas and cookies (traditionally vanilla wafers). The pudding softens the cookies into a cake-like texture, while the bananas add freshness and flavor. Whipped cream or meringue topping makes it extra indulgent. This recipe balances creaminess, sweetness, and fruitiness for the ultimate version.
Prep Time: 20 minutes Chill Time: 2–4 hours Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes Servings: 8–10
Ingredients
- 1 (5 oz) box instant vanilla pudding mix
- 3 cups cold milk
- 1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk
- 1 (8 oz) tub whipped topping (like Cool Whip)
- 1 box vanilla wafers
- 4–5 ripe bananas (sliced)
- Optional: ½ teaspoon vanilla extract for extra flavor
Products for Using in Recipe
- Instant pudding mix makes this quick and foolproof.
- Ripe bananas add natural sweetness and creaminess.
- Vanilla wafers soften into cake-like layers.
- Whipped topping keeps the pudding light and fluffy.
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk pudding mix and cold milk until thickened.
- Stir in sweetened condensed milk and vanilla extract.
- Fold in whipped topping until smooth and creamy.
- In a 9×13-inch dish, layer vanilla wafers on the bottom.
- Add a layer of sliced bananas.
- Spread half the pudding mixture over bananas.
- Repeat layers: wafers, bananas, pudding.
- Cover and refrigerate for 2–4 hours (overnight is best) until wafers soften.
- Serve chilled, topped with extra whipped cream or crushed wafers.