Description
Magnolia Bakery’s iconic Banana Pudding is a luscious and creamy layered dessert featuring smooth vanilla pudding, fresh bananas, and crunchy Nilla Wafers, topped with fluffy whipped cream. This classic Southern treat is easy to prepare and perfect for gatherings, offering a delightful combination of textures and flavors that is best served chilled.
Ingredients
Scale
Pudding Base
- 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
Layer Ingredients
- 1 11-12 oz box Nilla Wafers (reserve 5-6 wafers and crumbs for topping)
- 5 bananas, just barely ripe, sliced
Whipped Cream
- 3 cups heavy whipping cream
- ½ teaspoon clear vanilla flavoring
Instructions
- Mix condensed milk and liquids: Using a hand-held or stand mixer, combine the sweetened condensed milk, cold water, and cold milk. Mix on low to medium speed for 1-2 minutes until well blended.
- Add pudding mix: Add the instant vanilla pudding mix to the liquid mixture and beat on medium speed for 2 minutes. The pudding should begin to thicken slightly at this point.
- Chill pudding: Cover the pudding mixture and refrigerate for 4 hours or overnight to ensure it is fully set and firm.
- Whip cream: In a clean bowl, combine the heavy whipping cream and clear vanilla flavoring. Beat with a hand-held or stand mixer until stiff peaks form.
- Fold whipped cream into pudding: Gently fold the whipped cream into the chilled pudding mixture carefully, until fully combined and uniform in color without streaks.
- Assemble layers: In a large serving bowl, trifle dish, or individual mini trifles, line the bottom with one-third of the Nilla Wafers (approximately 30 wafers).
- Add banana layer: Spread 1 ½ cups of sliced bananas evenly over the wafers.
- Add pudding layer: Spoon one-third of the pudding mixture over the bananas, spreading gently.
- Repeat layering: Repeat the layering process two more times to create three layers of wafers, bananas, and pudding.
- Prepare topping: Crush the reserved 5-6 Nilla Wafers and sprinkle the crumbs over the top layer of pudding. You may also use any leftover wafer crumbs from the box for garnish.
- Refrigerate before serving: Cover the assembled pudding and keep refrigerated until ready to serve to maintain freshness and optimal texture.
Notes
- For best results, use very cold milk and water when preparing the pudding base to help it set properly.
- Choosing bananas that are just barely ripe ensures they hold their shape and do not become mushy in the layers.
- The dessert tastes best after chilling for several hours or overnight to allow the flavors to meld and the pudding to fully set.
- You can prepare this dessert in individual serving dishes or one large trifle dish depending on your presentation preference.
- Leftover crushed Nilla Wafers add a delightful crunchy texture on top, enhancing the overall experience.
