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The Best Banana Pudding Recipe

4.9 from 57 reviews

A classic Southern dessert featuring creamy vanilla pudding layered with fresh bananas and crispy wafers, chilled to perfection for a delightful treat.

Ingredients

Scale

Ingredients

  • 4 ripe bananas, sliced
  • 2 cups vanilla pudding (homemade or store-bought)
  • 2 cups vanilla wafer cookies

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Ingredients: Slice the ripe bananas evenly to ensure uniform layering and ready the vanilla pudding and wafers for assembly.
  2. Layer the Dessert: In a serving dish, place a layer of vanilla wafers at the bottom, followed by a layer of sliced bananas. Spoon a generous amount of vanilla pudding over the bananas, smoothing it out evenly. Repeat the layering process—wafers, bananas, and pudding—until all ingredients are used, finishing with a layer of pudding on top.
  3. Chill: Cover the assembled banana pudding with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours to allow the flavors to meld together and the wafers to soften slightly, yielding a creamy texture.
  4. Serve: Once chilled, serve the banana pudding cold as a refreshing and comforting dessert.

Notes

  • Use ripe but firm bananas to prevent mushiness.
  • For extra flavor, add a splash of vanilla extract to the pudding.
  • Use homemade vanilla pudding for a richer taste, or choose your preferred store-bought version.
  • Layering can be adjusted based on serving dish size and desired portion.
  • Best served within 24 hours to maintain texture and freshness.

Keywords: banana pudding, vanilla pudding, vanilla wafers, layered dessert, classic Southern dessert, no-bake dessert