Description
A classic Southern-style banana pudding layered with creamy vanilla custard, fresh bananas, and crisp vanilla wafers — comforting, nostalgic, and irresistibly delicious.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 1 box (3.4 oz/96 g) instant vanilla pudding mix
- 2 cups cold milk
- 1 can (14 oz/396 g) sweetened condensed milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 (8 oz/226 g) container whipped topping or whipped cream
- 4–5 ripe bananas, sliced
- 1 large box (11 oz/312 g) vanilla wafers
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, whisk instant pudding mix and cold milk until thickened (about 2 minutes).
- Stir in sweetened condensed milk and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.
- Fold in whipped topping until fully incorporated.
- In a trifle dish or 9×13 baking dish, layer half of vanilla wafers evenly.
- Arrange a layer of banana slices over the wafers.
- Spread half of the pudding mixture over the bananas.
- Repeat with remaining wafers, bananas, and pudding, finishing with pudding on top.
- Optionally top with extra whipped topping or crushed wafers.
- Cover and chill in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight, to allow flavors to meld and wafers to soften.
- Serve chilled, scoop into bowls or on plates.
Notes
- Chilling overnight improves texture—wafers should be tender but not mushy.
- Use ripe but firm bananas to avoid browning too quickly.
- Substitute homemade vanilla custard if preferred, but instant mix makes it quick and easy.
- Garnish with banana slices just before serving to keep them fresh-looking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/12 of recipe
- Calories: 285 kcal
- Sugar: 30 g
- Sodium: 155 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg