If you always pick up a tub of banana pudding from your local bakery, trust us—it’s completely worth it to make this classic Southern dessert at home. With towering layers of vanilla pudding, ripe bananas, whipped cream, and wafer cookies, this homemade recipe is one we’ll never tire of. Our best-ever recipe is simple to create and assemble; the key to perfection is patience. While this does require time to set, it makes for a perfect make-ahead dessert that will have even the most die-hard fans going back for more. Here’s how to make it the best it can be:
Ingredients
- 1(14-oz.) can sweetened condensed milk
- 1 1/3 c.whole milk
- 1(5.1-oz.) package instant vanilla pudding mix
- 3 c.heavy cream
- 1 tsp.pure vanilla extract
- 1(12-oz.) box vanilla wafer cookies
- 4bananas, sliced into coins
- 2 tsp.granulated sugar
Equipment Needed
- 1(3-qt.) trifle dish
Directions
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- Step 1
In a large bowl, whisk condensed milk, whole milk, and pudding mix, breaking up any lumps. Refrigerate until set, about 5 minutes.
- Step 2Meanwhile, in another large bowl, using a handheld mixer on medium-high speed, beat cream and vanilla until stiff peaks form, 2 to 3 minutes. Set aside half of whipped cream for serving. Fold remaining whipped cream into milk mixture.
- Step 3Cover bottom of a 3-quart trifle dish with wafers. Top with one-third of pudding mixture. Cover with another layer of wafers. Top with an even layer of banana slices. Continue to layer pudding, wafers, and bananas until you reach the top, ending with a final layer of pudding. Set aside remaining wafers for serving.
- Step 4Refrigerate at least 3 hours or up to overnight.
- Step 5Add granulated sugar to reserved whipped cream and stir to combine. Dollop on top of banana pudding. Crumble reserved wafers, then sprinkle over pudding.
- Step 1
