Description
Magnolia Bakery Banana Pudding is a classic Southern dessert featuring layers of creamy homemade vanilla pudding, freshly sliced ripe bananas, and crunchy Nilla Wafers, all folded together with whipped cream for a light, airy texture. Perfect for gatherings or as a refreshing treat, this pudding is chilled to perfection, allowing the flavors to meld into a deliciously smooth and comforting dessert.
Ingredients
Scale
Pudding Mixture
- 1 14-oz can sweetened condensed milk
- 1 cup very cold milk
- ½ cup very cold water
- 1 3.4 oz box instant vanilla pudding mix
Other Ingredients
- 1 11-12 oz box of Nilla Wafers (reserve 5-6 wafers plus crumbs from package)
- 3 cups heavy whipping cream
- ½ teaspoon clear vanilla flavoring
- 5 just barely ripe bananas, sliced
Instructions
- Mix liquids: Using a handheld or stand mixer, combine the sweetened condensed milk, very cold water, and very cold milk. Mix on low to medium speed for 1-2 minutes until well combined.
- Add pudding mix: Add the instant vanilla pudding mix to the liquid mixture and beat on medium speed for 2 minutes. The pudding mixture should begin to thicken.
- Chill pudding: Cover the pudding mixture and refrigerate for 4 hours or overnight to allow it to fully set and thicken.
- Whip cream: Using a mixer, combine the heavy whipping cream and clear vanilla flavoring. Beat until stiff peaks form.
- Fold cream into pudding: Gently fold the whipped cream into the chilled and fully set pudding mixture until completely combined and uniform in color with no streaks.
- Prepare serving dish: Choose a large serving bowl, trifle dish, compote dish, or individual mini trifle dishes for layering. Line the bottom with about one-third of the vanilla wafers (approximately 30 wafers).
- Layer bananas: Evenly distribute half of the sliced bananas (about 1 ½ cups) on top of the wafer layer.
- Add pudding layer: Spread one-third of the pudding and whipped cream mixture evenly over the bananas.
- Repeat layers: Repeat layering wafers, bananas, and pudding mixture twice more to create three full layers.
- Crush reserved wafers: Crush the reserved 5-6 whole wafers to create small crumbs for topping.
- Finish and chill: Sprinkle the crushed wafers and any remaining crumbs evenly over the top layer of pudding. Cover the dish and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Notes
- For best results, chill the pudding mixture for at least 4 hours or overnight to ensure it fully sets.
- Use just barely ripe bananas to maintain texture and avoid mushiness.
- You can prepare this dessert a day in advance; the flavors improve as it sits.
- If you prefer a lighter dessert, reduce the amount of heavy cream slightly or substitute with whipped topping.
- Ensure the cold milk and water are very cold before mixing to help the pudding set properly.
- Optional: garnish with fresh banana slices on top before serving for added visual appeal.
