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Best Banana Pudding Recipe

Best Banana Pudding Recipe


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 9 reviews

  • Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes
  • Yield: 8 1x

Description

Creamy Southern Banana Pudding emerges as a classic dessert that celebrates sweet southern comfort. Rich layers of vanilla wafers, ripe bananas, and silky custard blend into a nostalgic treat you’ll savor with pure Southern hospitality.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 6 to 8 bananas, sliced
  • 2 bags Pepperidge Farm Chessmen Cookies OR 2 bags Vanilla Wafers

Dairy and Cream Components:

  • 2 cups milk
  • 1 (8 oz.) package cream cheese
  • 1 (14 oz.) can sweetened condensed milk
  • 1 (12 oz.) container frozen whipped topping (or equal amount sweetened whipped cream)

Pudding and Flavoring:

  • 1 (5 oz.) box French Vanilla pudding

Instructions

  1. Prepare the foundation by arranging vanilla wafers in a single, uniform layer across the base of a rectangular serving dish, creating a crisp cookie base.
  2. Strategically place fresh banana slices atop the cookie layer, ensuring even distribution for consistent flavor in each serving.
  3. Craft the pudding mixture by whisking milk and instant pudding mix until achieving a smooth, creamy consistency without any lumps, approximately 2 minutes.
  4. In a separate mixing bowl, whip cream cheese and sweetened condensed milk together until achieving a silky, uniform texture, blending thoroughly with an electric mixer.
  5. Gently fold whipped topping into the cream cheese mixture, creating a light and airy filling that will provide richness to the dessert.
  6. Carefully pour the pudding mixture over the banana and cookie base, ensuring complete and even coverage across the entire dish.
  7. Integrate the cream cheese mixture into the pudding layer, using gentle swirling motions to create a marbled effect.
  8. Garnish the top with remaining vanilla wafers, arranging them in an aesthetically pleasing pattern for visual appeal.
  9. Refrigerate the dessert for minimum 3 hours, allowing flavors to meld and the pudding to set completely before serving chilled.

Notes

  • Crush cookies finely for a more even, compact base that holds together beautifully when serving.
  • Use ripe, spotty bananas for deeper, sweeter flavor and better texture in the pudding layers.
  • Prevent banana browning by tossing sliced bananas with a splash of lemon juice before layering.
  • Opt for full-fat cream cheese and condensed milk to ensure rich, creamy consistency that doesn’t separate when mixed.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 3 hours
  • Category: Desserts
  • Method: Blending
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 8
  • Calories: 363
  • Sugar: 34g
  • Sodium: 170mg
  • Fat: 13g
  • Saturated Fat: 8g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4g
  • Trans Fat: 0.3g
  • Carbohydrates: 55g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Protein: 5g
  • Cholesterol: 30mg