Description
This Best Banana Pudding Ever is a creamy, dreamy dessert combining instant vanilla pudding, sweetened condensed milk, homemade whipped cream, ripe bananas, and crunchy vanilla wafers. Layered beautifully and chilled for a few hours, it offers a perfect balance of sweetness, texture, and flavor that’s ideal for gatherings or a comforting treat at home.
Ingredients
Scale
Pudding Mixture
- 1 (5 oz) box instant vanilla pudding mix
- 2 cups cold milk
- 1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk
Whipped Cream
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Assembly
- 4–5 ripe bananas, sliced
- 1 (12 oz) box vanilla wafer cookies
Instructions
- Prepare the Pudding Mix: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the instant vanilla pudding mix and cold milk until it starts to thicken. Set this mixture aside to allow it to set slightly.
- Make Whipped Cream: In a separate bowl, beat the heavy whipping cream along with the vanilla extract until stiff peaks form, creating fresh, homemade whipped cream with a light and airy texture.
- Combine Pudding and Cream: Gently fold the whipped cream and sweetened condensed milk into the prepared pudding mixture. Stir carefully until everything is smooth and well combined, maintaining a fluffy consistency.
- Layer the Dessert: In a 9×13-inch baking dish, spread a layer of vanilla wafers to cover the bottom evenly. Next, add a layer of sliced bananas over the wafers. Then, spread half of the pudding mixture evenly over the bananas.
- Repeat Layers: Repeat the layering process by adding another layer of vanilla wafers, banana slices, and then the remaining pudding mixture on top, ensuring each layer is smooth and evenly distributed.
- Final Topping and Chill: Optionally, top the final pudding layer with additional vanilla wafers for extra crunch. Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, though chilling overnight is best to let all the flavors meld together and the wafers soften slightly for the perfect texture.
Notes
- For best results, use very ripe bananas to maximize sweetness and flavor.
- Make sure the milk is cold when mixing with the pudding to ensure proper thickening.
- Refrigerating the banana pudding overnight enhances the flavor and texture, making it even more delicious.
- The pudding can be stored covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- For a lighter variation, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream, though the texture will be less rich.
