Description
Classic Southern-style Banana Pudding made with layers of creamy vanilla pudding, fresh bananas, and crispy vanilla wafers. This no-bake dessert combines the rich flavors of sweetened condensed milk and whipped cream for a smooth, luscious texture. Perfectly chilled for hours to meld the flavors, it’s a refreshing and nostalgic treat enjoyed by all.
Ingredients
Scale
Pudding Mixture
- 1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
- 1 1/2 cups cold water
- 1 (3.4-ounce) package instant vanilla pudding mix
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
Whipped Cream
- 3 cups heavy whipping cream
Assembly
- 1 (12-ounce) box vanilla wafers
- 4–5 ripe bananas, sliced
Instructions
- Prepare the Pudding Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the sweetened condensed milk and cold water until smooth. Add the instant vanilla pudding mix and continue whisking until well combined and the mixture thickens slightly, about 2 minutes. Cover and refrigerate for at least 5 minutes to chill and set.
- Whip the Cream: In a separate chilled bowl, whip the heavy cream until stiff peaks form. This will create a light and airy texture that complements the pudding.
- Combine Pudding and Whipped Cream: Gently fold the whipped cream into the chilled pudding mixture until fully incorporated and smooth, taking care not to deflate the whipped cream.
- Assemble the Banana Pudding: In a 9×13-inch dish or a trifle bowl, start by layering vanilla wafers evenly on the bottom. Add a layer of sliced bananas atop the wafers, then spread a layer of the pudding mixture over the bananas. Repeat these layers—wafers, bananas, pudding—until all ingredients are used, finishing with a top layer of pudding.
- Garnish and Chill: For extra texture and presentation, garnish the top with crushed vanilla wafers or additional banana slices if desired. Cover the dish and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight to allow flavors to meld and the pudding to set for the best texture and flavor.
Notes
- For enhanced flavor, add a touch of vanilla or banana extract to the pudding mixture before chilling.
- To prevent banana slices from browning, lightly toss them in lemon juice before layering.
- This dessert is best enjoyed within 2 days for optimal freshness.
