Our Easy Banana Pudding Recipe is made with basic kitchen ingredients. Bananas, vanilla wafers, milk, sweetened condensed milk and instant pudding mix combine with whipped topping for a creamy, indulgent dessert. Drizzle with caramel sauce and every spoonful will be heavenly!
Banana Pudding With Nilla Wafers
Looking for an easy sweet treat? Have you ever had the opportunity to taste the Magnolia Bakery NYC banana pudding?
A take on this famous Magnolia Bakery recipe, our easy banana pudding recipe will quickly become your most requested dessert.
Our recipe is somewhat of a copycat Magnolia Bakery Banana Pudding.
However, Magnolia Bakery’s recipe is banana pudding with sweetened condensed milk, water and instant pudding mix.
I took this a step further and replaced the water with milk for more richness.
Heavy cream gets beaten into whipped cream in their recipe and added to the pudding in the Magnolia recipe.
I simplified things for you by eliminating that step and just folded in thawed frozen whipped topping making this an easy banana pudding recipe with cool whip. You’re welcome!
What goes better with a mouthwatering pudding than cookies? Vanilla wafers and banana slices are stacked between layers of our velvety pudding mixture adding textures and flavors.
The crowning glory on our recipe is a drizzle of caramel sauce. Because, really now, who doesn’t love caramel sauce?
Trust me when I tell you, everyone will love this creamy Banana Pudding With Nilla Wafers for dessert!
Personally, it was a struggle walking away from tasting spoonful upon spoonful as I created this recipe. Yes, it’s that good!
Still don't want to turn on your oven for dessert? We're got you covered! Check out our easy no-bake dessert recipes. You'll be happy you did!
How to make homemade banana pudding
Scroll down for the full recipe instructions and ingredient amounts in the recipe card below
- In a bowl, combine sweetened condensed milk with milk together until blended. Add instant pudding mix stirring until combined.
- Refrigerate for about one hour or until mixture begins to set up.
- Using a spatula, fold in the whipped topping.
- Beginning with cookies layer cookies then 3 banana slices and 1/3 cup pudding. Repeat using three cookies per layer.
- Place remaining cookies and banana slices on top and drizzle with caramel sauce.
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Swirls of Flavor Recipe Tips
- Substitute your favorite plant-based milk for the milk
- Add caramel sauce between the layers too!
- Add fudge sauce for a banana chocolate flavor combination
- Drizzle with a salted caramel sauce for a gourmet touch!
- This recipe can be made in a trifle dish or a 13 x 9-inch casserole dish
Banana Pudding FAQ’s
What is banana pudding?
Banana pudding, a Southern American dessert, consists of layers of vanilla pudding or custard, cookies and fresh banana slices. It is often topped with whipped cream.
How long is banana pudding good for?
Fresh banana pudding can last up to 4 days in the refrigerator. However, the banana slices may begin to turn darker in color and the cookies will continue to soften over time. It really does taste good as the flavors and textures combine over time!
Does banana pudding need to be refrigerated?
Yes, banana pudding should be covered and refrigerated. Banana pudding actually tastes best when served chilled. Here is an article with tips on How To Store Banana Pudding that you may want to check out.
ingredients you will need to make a banana pudding recipe
Ingredients for homemade banana pudding
- sweetened condensed milk - adds a creamy texture and sweetness
- milk - adds dairy notes
- instant vanilla pudding mix - makes an easy base for the pudding
- frozen whipped topping - folds in to make a light and creamy pudding
- vanilla wafer cookies - layers of cookies soften in the pudding adding a contrast of textures
- bananas - a must have in banana pudding!
- caramel sauce - banana pudding with caramel sauce makes it indulgent
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- 1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
- 1 ½ cup milk
- 1 box (3.4 ounces) instant vanilla pudding mix
- 3 cups (8 ounces) frozen whipped topping, thawed
- 1 box vanilla wafer cookies
- 4 large bananas , sliced into ¼-inch rounds
- 3 Tbs. caramel sauce
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Combine sweetened condensed milk with milk together until smooth. Stir in instant pudding mix until blended.
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Refrigerate until mixture begins to set up, about 1 hour.
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Fold in whipped topping.
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Layer ingredients beginning with cookies, 3 banana slices and 1/3 cup pudding and repeat. I used 3 cookies per layer.
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Top with remaining cookies and banana slices and drizzle with caramel sauce.
Yield: 6 cups pudding
Makes 9 individual servings
Swirls of Flavor Recipe Tips
- Substitute your favorite plant-based milk for the milk
- Add caramel sauce between the layers too!
- Add fudge sauce for a banana chocolate flavor combination
- Drizzle with a salted caramel sauce for a gourmet touch!
- This recipe can be made in a trifle dish or a 13 x 9-inch casserole dish
This sounds so tasty!!
Thanks Danielle! I hope you enjoy it!