Dreamy Banana Pudding Recipe: Sweet & Simple Joy

Southern banana delight pudding dances with creamy layers that melt in your mouth.

This classic dessert weaves nostalgia and sweet comfort into every spoonful.

Generations have savored its rich, velvety texture and irresistible charm.

Soft bananas nestle between delicate vanilla wafers and silky custard, creating pure magic.

Each bite tells a story of comfort and tradition.

Smooth, decadent, and utterly satisfying, this pudding promises to become your new favorite indulgence.

Dive into a dessert that celebrates simplicity and pure deliciousness.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 0 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 335 kcal

Servings: 9

Banana Pudding: What’s Inside

• Vanilla Wafer Cookies: Crisp foundation that adds delightful crunch and nostalgic sweetness to the dessert.
• Banana Chessman Cookies: Optional decorative topping that brings extra charm and elegant finishing touch.

• Cold Milk: Smooth liquid that helps create perfect pudding consistency and adds creamy richness.
• Pudding Mix: Magical powder that transforms simple ingredients into decadent, silky dessert base.
• Cream Cheese: Tangy ingredient providing luxurious texture and deepening overall flavor profile.
• Sweetened Condensed Milk: Ultra-rich dairy product that enhances sweetness and creates luscious creaminess.
• Cool Whip: Fluffy whipped topping that lightens the mixture and adds airy volume.

• Fresh Bananas: Ripe, golden fruit that brings natural sweetness and tropical essence to the dessert.
• Vanilla Extract: Aromatic liquid that infuses warm, comforting flavor throughout the pudding.
• Caramel Sauce: Optional drizzling ingredient that adds decadent, glossy finish and extra indulgence.

Pudding-Making Tools for Banana Perfection

• Large mixing bowl: Essential for blending pudding mix and milk smoothly.
• Whisk: Perfect for creating a lump-free pudding mixture.
• Separate mixing bowl: Needed for combining cream cheese and other creamy ingredients.
• Electric mixer or hand beater: Great for beating cream cheese mixture until smooth.
• Spatula: Helps fold ingredients gently and scrape sides of bowls.
• Serving dish: Used for layering cookies, pudding, and bananas.
• Knife: Required for slicing bananas into even layers.
• Plastic wrap: Covers dessert during chilling process.

How to Layer Your Banana Pudding Smoothly

Banana Bliss Layers

• Pudding Prep

Whisk together pudding mix and milk in a large bowl until silky smooth. Chill in the refrigerator for half an hour to set perfectly.

• Creamy Cloud

Beat cream cheese with sweetened condensed milk and vanilla until light and fluffy. Gently blend in Cool Whip for an airy texture.

• Pudding Fusion

Combine the cream cheese mixture with chilled pudding, creating a velvety smooth base.

• Layering Magic

Create a delightful foundation using vanilla wafer cookies as the first layer. Pour pudding mixture over the cookies.

• Banana Beautiful

Arrange fresh banana slices across the pudding layer. Repeat the cookie and pudding layering process, building three gorgeous tiers.

• Flavor Transformation

Cover the dessert and let it rest in the refrigerator overnight. This allows all the flavors to dance and mingle together.

• Final Touch

Before serving, sprinkle Chessman cookies on top and drizzle with caramel for an extra moment of deliciousness.

Toppings & Tips for Banana Pudding Heaven

• Magic Mix Tricks: Swap vanilla wafers with graham crackers for a different crunch and depth of flavor.
• Banana Boost: Use overripe bananas for more intense sweetness and deeper banana essence in your dessert.
• Texture Play: Freeze some banana slices before adding them to create unexpected cool pockets within the creamy layers.
• Dairy-Free Twist: Replace cream cheese with coconut cream and use dairy-free whipped topping to make this dessert completely lactose-free for sensitive guests.
• Flavor Fusion: Sprinkle crushed pecans or toasted almonds between layers for an extra nutty dimension and delightful crunch that elevates the entire dessert experience.

Serve Banana Pudding in Style

• Tropical Banana Bliss: Serve this pudding in a vibrant, clear glass trifle bowl to showcase the beautiful layers of creamy pudding, bananas, and wafer cookies.
• Caramel Banana Dream: Enhance the dessert by adding a generous drizzle of warm caramel sauce just before serving, creating a luxurious and indulgent touch that complements the sweet bananas.
• Nutty Crunch Delight: Sprinkle chopped toasted pecans or sliced almonds on top for an extra texture contrast and a nutty flavor that elevates the creamy pudding's richness.
• Whipped Cream Finale: Top each serving with a dollop of freshly whipped cream and a few banana slices for a gorgeous presentation that adds a light, airy finish to the dessert.

Storage Smarts for Banana Pudding Leftovers

• Refrigeration Strategy: Tuck your banana delight pudding in the coldest part of the refrigerator, away from strong-smelling foods that might impact its delicate flavor profile. Keep it chilled for up to 3-4 days for maximum freshness and taste enjoyment.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare this dessert the evening before your gathering, allowing the layers to soften and blend beautifully overnight. The extra resting time intensifies the creamy texture and melds the banana and vanilla wafer flavors wonderfully.
• Container Care: Select an airtight glass or ceramic dish with a secure lid to maintain moisture and prevent unwanted refrigerator odors from seeping into your pudding. Avoid metal containers that might alter the dessert's smooth consistency.
• Freezing Finesse: While best enjoyed fresh, you can freeze individual portions wrapped tightly in plastic wrap for up to 2 weeks. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and give a gentle stir before serving to restore the creamy texture.

Creamy Banana Pudding Recipe

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4.8 from 36 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 9 1x

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Description

This classic banana delight pudding blends rich Caribbean flavors with creamy texture. Layers of ripe bananas, vanilla custard, and crumbled cookies create a delectable dessert you’ll savor to the last spoonful.

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Ingredients

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• 4 ripe bananas
• 2 boxes of vanilla wafers
• 1 box of Chessman cookies (optional)
• 2 cups (473 ml) of cold milk (whole, oat, or almond)
• 14 oz (414 ml) of sweet condensed milk
• 8 oz (226 g) of softened cream cheese (room temperature)
• 8 oz (226 g) of Cool Whip
• 2 boxes of instant pudding mix (vanilla or French vanilla)
• 1 tsp (5 ml) of vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Pudding Foundation: Whisk pudding mix with cold milk until achieving a silky, lump-free texture. Chill in refrigerator for 30 minutes to stabilize.
2. Cream Cheese Fusion: Beat cream cheese with sweetened condensed milk and vanilla extract until completely smooth. Gently fold in Cool Whip to maintain a light, airy consistency.
3. Mixture Unification: Combine chilled pudding and cream cheese mixtures, stirring until achieving a uniform, creamy blend.
4. Layering Technique: Create a base layer of vanilla wafer cookies in the serving dish. Spread pudding mixture evenly, then arrange banana slices to cover the entire surface.
5. Structural Build: Repeat layering process – wafers, pudding mixture, and banana slices – creating three distinct tiers. Ensure the top layer is a smooth pudding surface.
6. Flavor Melding: Cover dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight, allowing ingredients to harmonize and develop a rich, cohesive flavor profile.
7. Finishing Flourish: Before serving, embellish with Chessman cookies and drizzle caramel for an elegant, decadent presentation.

Notes

• Chill for Success: Refrigerating the pudding overnight allows flavors to meld and develop a richer, more complex taste profile.
• Prevent Browning: Toss banana slices in a bit of lemon juice to prevent discoloration and maintain their fresh appearance.
• Texture Tip: Use ripe, soft bananas for the best flavor and easier layering in the dessert.
• Cookie Crunch Strategy: Slightly crush some vanilla wafers to create a more interesting texture and ensure even cookie distribution throughout the layers.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Mixing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 335
• Sugar: 27 g
• Sodium: 250 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 44 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 32 mg