Here’s a classic Southern-style Banana Pudding — creamy, dreamy, layered with vanilla wafers and fresh bananas. You can make it quick & easy, or I can give you the from-scratch custard version too!
🍌🍮 Classic Banana Pudding (Easy Version)
Serves: 8
Prep: 10–15 minutes
Chill: 2–4 hours
Ingredients
- 1 box (5.1 oz) instant vanilla pudding mix (large box)
- 3 cups cold milk
- 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
- 1 tub (8 oz) whipped topping, thawed
OR 1 ½ cups fresh whipped cream - 4–5 bananas, sliced
- 1 box vanilla wafers
Optional: extra wafers crushed for topping
🍨 Instructions
1. Make the Pudding Mixture
- Whisk instant pudding mix and cold milk for 2 minutes.
- Whisk in the sweetened condensed milk until smooth.
- Fold in the whipped topping gently until creamy.
2. Layer the Banana Pudding
In a 9×13 dish or large trifle bowl:
- Layer 1: Vanilla wafers
- Layer 2: Sliced bananas
- Layer 3: Pudding mixture
Repeat layers until you run out, ending with pudding on top.
3. Chill
- Refrigerate at least 2 hours (4+ hours is even better).
- Wafers soften and become cake-like — classic!
4. Serve
- Top with crushed wafers or extra whipped cream before serving.
⭐ Variations
Old-Fashioned Banana Pudding (Cooked Custard)
- Use a homemade vanilla custard instead of instant pudding.
- Top with meringue and bake until golden.
Banana Pudding with Cream Cheese
Mix 1 block (8 oz) softened cream cheese into the pudding mixture for a thicker, richer texture.
Banana Pudding Cups
Layer in small jars for parties.
Salted Caramel Banana Pudding
Drizzle caramel between layers—AMAZING.
If you want, I can give you:
🍮 From-scratch custard banana pudding
🍌 Banana pudding poke cake
🍰 Banana pudding cheesecake
Which one should we make next?
