Made with layers of fresh bananas, Nilla wafers, fresh whipped cream and banana pudding.

Ingredients Needed

This list may seem long for homemade banana pudding but itโ€™s really not a lot for this delicious dessert and itโ€™s really straight forward to prepare.

  • bananasย โ€“ I typically use about 6 to 7 medium bananas, sliced approximately 1/4 inch thick. That being said, the number of bananas you need will vary depending on the size of your bananas and how thick you want your banana slices to be. You can slice them as thin or thick as you like, totally up to you. The most important part is that the bananas need to be just barely ripe โ€“ no brown spots!
  • Nilla Wafersย โ€“ I love using traditional Nilla wafers but other delicious choices would include any shortbread cookies like Chessman cookies.
  • heavy whipping creamย โ€“ whipping the cream is what gives the pudding layer a lovely lightness and texture and the extra whipped cream is the final layer on top. (Want to use Cool Whip? See my notes below.)
  • powdered sugarย โ€“ to sweeten the whipped cream.
  • vanilla extractย โ€“ to give the whipped cream amazing flavor.
  • cream cheeseย โ€“ adds a silkiness and thickness to the pudding layer.
  • sweetened condensed milkย โ€“ one of my favorite ingredients, sweetened condensed milk adds a lovely sweetness.
  • instant banana cream pudding mixย โ€“ even more banana flavor!
  • instant vanilla pudding mix or instant French vanilla pudding mixย  โ€“ your choice here although I do love French vanilla.
  • whole milkย โ€“ for the pudding mixes.

How Do You Make Banana Pudding?

The recipe comes together in a series of easy steps.

Make the whipped cream:

  1. Add heavy whipping cream to the bowl of a stand mixer or large bowl and beat on medium high speed for a minute or two until soft peaks form.
  2. Add powdered sugar and vanilla extract and continue beating until stiff peaks form. Set aside.

Make the pudding mixture:

  1. Add cream cheese to the bowl of a stand mixer or large bowl and beat until smooth. Add sweetened condensed milk and beat until combined.
  2. Add pudding mixes and milk and beat for 4 to 5 minutes, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
  3. Fold in two-thirds of the whipped cream.

Put it all together:

  1. Line a 9 x13 baking dish with one layer of Nilla Wafer cookies. Top with half of the banana slices.
  2. Spread half of the pudding mixture on top of the bananas and add another layer of Nilla wafers.
  3. One more layer of banana slices, the remaining pudding mixture and then top with remaining whipped cream.
  4. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
  5. Remove from refrigerator and garnish as desired. Mini Nilla Wafers, banana slices, or wafer crumbs are great ideas!
  6. Serve immediately.

Tips For The Best Banana Pudding

This easy banana pudding recipe comes together in about 15 minutes but here are some tips to make sure you have the best results:

  1. Use aย stand mixer or hand mixerย when making the whipped cream, beating the cream cheese and pudding mixture. Itโ€™s not only easier, but give you better results.
  2. When making the pudding, beat onย high speed for 4 to 5 minutesย using the paddle attachment or whisk attachment for best results. This ensures that the pudding will set up nice and thick.
  3. Allow yourself enough time toย chill the banana pudding for a minimum of 4 hoursย before serving. I like to make mine the day before. This really lets the flavors intensify and gives the pudding mixture a chance to thicken and set up.
  4. Garnish just before serving, especially if you are cutting up bananas. This keeps them from browning in the fridge.

Ingredients

  • 6 to 7ย medium bananasย sliced 1/4 inch thick
  • 1ย boxย Nilla Wafersย shortbread cookies or Chessman cookies can be used also
  • 2 1/2ย cupsย heavy whipping cream
  • 1/2ย cupย powdered sugar
  • 1/2ย tspย vanilla extract
  • 8ย ozย cream cheeseย softened
  • 14ย ozย sweetened condensed milk
  • 3.4ย ozย instant banana cream pudding mix
  • 3.4ย ozย instant vanilla pudding mixย or instant French vanilla pudding mix
  • 2 1/2ย cupsย whole milk

Instructions

Whipped Cream

  • Add heavy whipping cream to the bowl of a stand mixer or large bowl and beat on medium high speed for a minute or two until soft peaks form.
  • Add powdered sugar and vanilla extract and continue beating until stiff peaks form. Set aside.

Pudding Mixture

  • Add cream cheese to the bowl of a stand mixer or large bowl and beat until smooth. Add sweetened condensed milk and beat until combined.
  • Add pudding mixes and milk and beat for 4 to 5 minutes, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
  • Fold in two-thirds of the whipped cream.

Assembly

  • Line a 9 x13 baking dish with one layer of Nilla Wafer cookies. Top with half of the banana slices.
  • Spread half of the pudding mixture on top of the bananas and add another layer of Nilla wafers.
  • One more layer of banana slices, the remaining pudding mixture and then top with remaining whipped cream.
  • Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
  • Remove from refrigerator and garnish as desired. Mini Nilla Wafers, banana slices, or wafer crumbs are great ideas! Serve immediately.

Notes

Cool Whip Substitution: 

Substitute 16 oz Cool Whip for the Whipped Cream (heavy cream, powdered sugar, vanilla).