Classic Banana Pudding
Sunday dessert doesn’t get better than this, y’all! 🍌 This Classic Banana Pudding is layers of vanilla wafers, sweet bananas, and the creamiest pudding you’ve ever had.
The pudding is instant vanilla pudding whisked with cold milk, then made extra rich with sweetened condensed milk, vanilla, and fresh whipped cream folded right in. Layer it in a trifle dish with wafers and bananas, chill, and you’re done. No oven needed!
It serves 10, so it’s perfect for potlucks, Sunday suppers, and holiday dessert tables.
Why You’ll Love It
- No baking. Everything gets whisked, layered and chilled.
- So creamy. Sweetened condensed milk and whipped cream make the pudding light and rich.
- Make it ahead. It needs to chill at least 4 hours, and overnight is even better.
- Feeds a crowd. It serves 10.
- A Southern classic. Wafers, bananas and pudding, the way it’s meant to be.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Instant vanilla pudding mix and cold milk: Whisked together until thick.
- Sweetened condensed milk and vanilla: For extra sweetness and that classic flavor.
- Heavy cream: Beaten to stiff peaks and folded in.
- Ripe bananas: Four bananas, sliced.
- Vanilla wafers: One 11 oz box for layering, plus crushed wafers on top right before serving.
You’ll find the exact amounts and steps in the printable recipe card below.
How to Make It
Whisk the instant pudding mix with the cold milk for a couple of minutes until it’s thick, then whisk in the sweetened condensed milk and vanilla. In a separate bowl, beat the heavy cream until it holds stiff peaks and gently fold it into the pudding. Now layer it up in a trifle dish: vanilla wafers, banana slices, then pudding, and repeat, ending with pudding on top. Chill it for at least 4 hours, or overnight if you can wait. Right before serving, sprinkle crushed wafers over the top.
Tips for the Best Classic Banana Pudding
- Show off the layers. A clear trifle dish lets everyone see the pretty layers.
- Beat to stiff peaks. Whip the cream until it holds its shape so the pudding stays fluffy.
- End with pudding. Finish the top layer with pudding so it seals everything in.
- Crush wafers at the last minute. Add them right before serving so they stay crunchy.
Save this one for your next potluck! 🧡
Classic Banana Pudding
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Whisk the pudding mix and cold milk for 2 minutes, until thick. Whisk in the sweetened condensed milk and vanilla.
- In a separate bowl, beat the heavy cream to stiff peaks. Fold into the pudding mixture.
- In a trifle dish, layer vanilla wafers, banana slices, and pudding. Repeat the layers, ending with pudding on top.
- Chill at least 4 hours (overnight is even better). Top with crushed wafers right before serving!
Notes
Add the crushed wafers right before serving so they stay crunchy.
