A Classic Dessert Everyone Will Love Recipe
This classic banana pudding recipe is a beloved dessert featuring layers of creamy vanilla pudding, fresh banana slices, and crunchy Nilla wafers, all topped with fluffy whipped cream. It’s a simple, no-bake treat perfect for gatherings, offering a delightful balance of textures and flavors that everyone will love.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 4 hours 20 minutes (including chilling time)
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-bake, chilled
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Pudding Mixture
- 1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
- 1 1/2 cups cold water
- 1 package (3.4 ounces) instant vanilla pudding mix
Whipped Cream
- 3 cups heavy cream
Layers
- 1 box (12 ounces) Nilla wafers
- 4 cups sliced ripe bananas
Instructions
- Prepare the Pudding: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the sweetened condensed milk and cold water until well combined. Add the instant vanilla pudding mix and whisk until smooth with no lumps. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight until set.
- Whip the Cream: In a separate chilled bowl, whip the heavy cream until stiff peaks form. This will create a light, fluffy texture to be folded into the pudding.
- Combine Pudding and Cream: Gently fold the whipped cream into the chilled pudding mixture until fully combined and fluffy, taking care to maintain the airy texture.
- Layer the Dessert: In a trifle dish or large glass bowl, layer one-third of the Nilla wafers, one-third of the banana slices, and one-third of the pudding mixture. Repeat the layers two more times, ending with pudding on top.
- Chill and Serve: Cover the assembled dessert and refrigerate for 4–6 hours to allow the flavors to meld and the dessert to set properly. Just before serving, garnish with crushed wafers or extra banana slices if desired.
Notes
- For best texture, use ripe but firm bananas to avoid mushiness.
- The dessert can be prepared a day in advance to enhance flavor blending.
- Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- You can substitute vanilla pudding with banana or other flavored pudding for variation.
- If preferred, top with whipped cream or meringue for extra richness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 30g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 33g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
Keywords: banana pudding, classic dessert, no-bake dessert, layered pudding dessert, Nilla wafers dessert, creamy banana dessert
