Description
Creamy Southern banana pudding brings comfort and nostalgia to dessert tables with layers of silky custard, ripe bananas, and crisp vanilla wafers. Guests will savor each spoonful of this classic Southern treat that promises pure indulgence and sweet memories.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 4 to 6 bananas, sliced
- 11 ounces (311 grams) vanilla wafers
- 1 (8 ounces / 226 grams) package cream cheese, at room temperature
Pudding and Milk Components:
- 2 cups (480 milliliters) milk
- 1 (5 ounces / 142 grams) box instant French vanilla pudding
- 1 (14 ounces / 397 grams) can sweetened condensed milk
Topping:
- 1 (12 ounces / 340 grams) container frozen whipped topping, thawed (or equal amount of sweetened whipped cream)
Instructions
- Arrange a foundational layer of vanilla wafers across the bottom of a 9×13 inch dish, creating an even base. Strategically place banana slices atop the wafers, ensuring uniform coverage.
- Utilize a hand mixer to combine milk with instant French vanilla pudding mix in a medium bowl. Whisk until the mixture transforms into a smooth, velvety consistency.
- In a separate large mixing bowl, blend cream cheese and sweetened condensed milk using a hand mixer until achieving a seamless texture. Gently incorporate thawed whipped topping using a rubber spatula, creating a light and airy mixture.
- Delicately fold the prepared pudding mixture into the cream cheese blend, ensuring thorough integration without deflating the mixture’s delicate structure.
- Carefully pour the combined mixture over the initial wafer and banana layer, spreading evenly to create a uniform surface. Elegantly garnish the top with remaining vanilla wafers, creating a decorative finish.
- Refrigerate the dessert for a minimum of 60 minutes, allowing flavors to harmonize and the pudding to set. For optimal taste and texture, extended chilling time is recommended.
Notes
- Slice bananas uniformly to ensure consistent texture and even distribution throughout the dessert.
- Use ripe, soft bananas for maximum sweetness and natural flavor enhancement.
- Prevent banana browning by adding a light splash of lemon juice to the sliced fruit before layering.
- For a gluten-free version, replace traditional vanilla wafers with gluten-free cookies or graham crackers.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 410 kcal
- Sugar: 45 g
- Sodium: 220 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 60 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 35 mg