Banana Pudding, a classic southern dessert with layers of nilla wafer cookies, sliced bananas and creamy vanilla pudding. This popular dessert is one of my favorites to make for summer gatherings. Bring this dessert to a potluck and it’s sure to be devoured by adults and kids alike. I’ve been making this same banana pudding recipe as long as I can remember. I can’t believe I never shared the recipe with you before.
One of summer’s best recipes.
Much like berry trifle, this layered banana pudding is no-bake and one of the easiest desserts to make.
Some people use just straight up vanilla pudding, but I prefer a concoction that includes cream cheese and whipped cream. The result is a much richer dessert with incredible depth of flavor.
Summer’s Best Banana Pudding
Ingredients:
1 (3.5 oz.) box instant vanilla pudding
2 cups milk
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
2 cups heavy whipping cream
5-6 tablespoons granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 box nilla wafers cookies, coarsely crushed
4-6 bananas, sliced
Directions:
In a medium bowl, whisk together the pudding and milk.
In a separate bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and sweetened condensed milk with an electric mixer until smooth.
Stir the pudding mixture into the cream cheese mixture and mix well.
In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the cream, sugar and vanilla until soft peaks form. Fold 1 cup of the whipped cream into the pudding mixture.
In a casserole dish, layer 1/2 of the cookie crumbs, 1/2 of the banana slices, 1/2 of the pudding mixture and 1/2 of the whipped cream. Repeat once. Sprinkle additional cookie crumbs on top of the last layer of whipped cream. Refrigerate until serving.
It’s also great for summer picnics!
This banana pudding is perfect for layering in a mason jar to bring on your summer picnics. Just be sure to include a couple of ice packs so it doesn’t spoil.
Don’t forget to bring along some fun sparklers!
If you enjoyed this summer dessert, be sure to check out mixed berry shortcakes and pineapple coconut crisp.
cami v says
June 6, 2015 at 12:29 PMThis looks so good. My dad would love this
Crystal Rogers Walker says
June 6, 2015 at 2:05 PMI love banana pudding it is my all time favorite
Tamra Phelps says
June 6, 2015 at 7:29 PMOh, yes! I love banana pudding. We’ve been know to make a lemon pudding, too, using lemon wafers (Kroger makes a great lemon wafer) & lemon pudding. We use cut up strawberries instead of banana.
shelly peterson says
June 6, 2015 at 9:12 PMThis looks so yummy! I will have to make this for dessert at our next bbq.
Nicole Dziedzic says
June 7, 2015 at 12:32 AMAlways a favorite in my house, My kids love banana pudding. Haven’t made it in a while so i guess after seeing this i need to try your recipe. I bet it is very delicious and the kids would demolish it.
Julie Wood says
June 7, 2015 at 9:14 AMThis looks so delicious and I love Banana Pudding! Your recipe is one that I am going to try. Thanks for sharing.
Janet W. says
June 7, 2015 at 10:09 AMI’ll have to try your way! Looks delicious! This is one of my favorite desserts!
dustabor says
June 7, 2015 at 6:07 PMThis has been a staple in our house for years, but I’ve never seen it with cream cheese. I definitely want to try this. My wife will be happy, she only likes it made with vanilla flavored pudding not banana.
lisa says
June 9, 2015 at 11:28 AMI love banana pudding. As a child, my grandmother used to make this for me on our weekly visits. I’ve never heard of using cream cheese in it. I’ll pin this to try later. Thanks!
Mary Czerczyk says
June 9, 2015 at 5:26 PMI have mad banana pudding all my adult life and love it. I am going to use your recipe the next time I make it .
AnnMarie says
June 9, 2015 at 8:48 PMI tried this pudding recently at a southern style restaurant and it was phenomenal. So happy to have a recipe for it. Thank you! Pinned.
Elisabeth says
June 11, 2015 at 6:32 PMCream cheese just makes everything better. I’ll definitely give this a try!
Crystal Rogers Walker says
June 13, 2015 at 4:29 PMI have never tried this recipe but it looks amazing and I will be trying it very soon
Fee Roberts says
June 13, 2015 at 9:47 PMMy mom and I were talking about banana pudding today. I’m making her some tomorrow.
Kristi says
June 15, 2015 at 6:56 PMThis looks so good! I’m definitely going to make it! Thanks so much for sharing at #HomeMattersParty
Chris C. says
June 19, 2015 at 4:15 PMHow do you keep the bananas from turning brown? This sounds AMAZING!!
Angela says
June 19, 2015 at 4:18 PMI usually don’t worry about the bananas that are layered in the pudding, but you can always toss them in a little lemon juice to keep them from browning.
christina says
June 21, 2015 at 4:08 PMI was wondering on the whipped cream are you talking about the one in a can or the heavy cream in a container
Angela says
June 21, 2015 at 8:05 PMI whipped my own but either will do. I hope you enjoy!
Katy says
February 5, 2017 at 5:10 AMLove
Elena says
February 10, 2017 at 11:05 AMLooks delicious. I love bananas
Hannah C says
May 23, 2017 at 12:57 PMThis looks amazing. I love banana pudding.
Deborah Caudill says
May 24, 2017 at 1:11 PMI absolutely love Banana Pudding and your recipe sounds so easy to make. I can’t wait to try it! It looks delicious! Thanks for sharing your recipe.
Janice Cooper says
May 27, 2017 at 9:23 AMI love love banana pudding and I’m always looking for a good recipe without a lot of fuss. Your recipe sounds fabulous! I never would’ve thought about adding cream cheese.
Dana Rodriguez says
June 7, 2017 at 10:06 AMThis looks so delicious! I can’t remember the last time I had banana pudding!
Lisa Queen says
June 10, 2017 at 8:38 AMOh my goodness! This looks like the best banana pudding ever! I can’t wait to try it! I am filling up my recipe board from your blog! Thank you!
Edye says
June 17, 2017 at 9:48 AMBanana pudding is my weakness! This recipe looks so good! 🙂
Janet W. says
June 19, 2017 at 7:24 AMBanana Pudding is probably my year-round favorite dessert. It’s SO delicious!
Sara Zielinski says
June 20, 2017 at 11:26 AMThis is awesome banana pudding.
Justin tan says
June 21, 2017 at 8:34 PMlove it!! can’t wait to make this for my guests
Sandra Preti says
June 22, 2017 at 9:17 AMI love this idea for summer BBQs and pool parties–quick, simple, and delicious!
Justin tan says
June 25, 2017 at 6:24 PMyummy!! my son is going to love this. he loves everything bananas
Hannah C says
August 4, 2017 at 10:45 PMThis looks very delicious. I love banana pudding.
Sarah L says
August 17, 2017 at 1:50 AMThat is an easy and fun dessert.
Tamra Phelps says
August 23, 2017 at 11:28 AMI love banana pudding, so this recipe is great by me, lol. It looks good.
Joni Mason says
July 6, 2018 at 11:00 PMOne of my grandmother’s specialties was banana puddin’, as we Southerners say. I have never heard of using cream cheese, that sounds delicious! Thank you for sharing this recipe.
Tina says
September 9, 2019 at 6:03 PMI love using bananas but I don’t often find a good recipe. This one sounds amazing. and easy too.
Tamra Phelps says
September 9, 2019 at 10:15 PMI really like banana pudding. This looks really close to my Mom’s recipe, too.
Rosie says
September 12, 2019 at 9:45 AMThis is really nice! I never saw a banana pudding so special, and I adore the mason jars for serving. I’d like to try it!