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.
I often bring this banana pudding to potlucks. In fact, it is my most requested dish. My husbands buddies, in particular, go nuts for this banana pudding recipe.
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.
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Equipment Needed:
Banana Pudding
Ingredients:
For your convenience, a recipe card with exact measurements is at the bottom of the page.
instant vanilla pudding
milk
cream cheese
sweetened condensed milk
heavy whipping cream
granulated sugar
vanilla extract
nilla wafers cookies
bananas, sliced
How to Make Banana Pudding
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!
Recipe Tips and Variations
Whole milk is best, but you can use 2% milk if that is what you have.
For best results, use full fat cream cheese.
Variations
Instead of vanilla wafer cookies, you can use Chessmen cookies or shortbread cookies.
Storage
Store pudding in a container with a tight fitting lid in the refrigerator for 3-5 days. Freezing is not recommended.
This 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 banana pudding poke cake and pineapple coconut crisp.
Best Banana Pudding
Ingredients
- 1 3.5 oz instant vanilla pudding
- 2 cups milk
- 4 oz cream cheese softened
- 1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
- 4 cups heavy whipping cream
- 8 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1/2 tsp vanilla
- 11 oz vanilla wafer cookies
- 6 bananas
Instructions
- 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.
Nutrition
This recipe was first published on June 16, 2015 and has been updated for content.
This looks very delicious. I love banana pudding.
That is an easy and fun dessert.
I love banana pudding, so this recipe is great by me, lol. It looks good.
One 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.
I love using bananas but I don’t often find a good recipe. This one sounds amazing. and easy too.
I really like banana pudding. This looks really close to my Mom’s recipe, too.
This 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!