Description
Mama’s banana pudding delights with Southern charm, blending creamy layers of nostalgia and sweet comfort. Silky vanilla custard, ripe bananas, and crisp vanilla wafers create a classic dessert that connects generations around the family table.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 5.1 ounces (146 grams) instant vanilla pudding mix
- 3 cups cold milk
- 14 ounces (397 grams) sweetened condensed milk
- 45 ripe bananas, sliced
- 11 ounces (312 grams) vanilla wafers
Flavoring Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Topping Ingredients:
- 8 ounces (227 grams) whipped topping (like Cool Whip), thawed
Instructions
- Prepare the pudding base by whisking the pudding mix and cold milk until completely smooth, allowing the mixture to set and thicken for several minutes.
- Incorporate sweetened condensed milk and vanilla extract, stirring thoroughly to create a rich, creamy foundation.
- Gently fold in a generous portion of whipped topping, creating a light and airy texture.
- Create the first foundation layer in a deep serving dish by arranging vanilla wafers to cover the bottom completely.
- Distribute a fresh layer of sliced bananas evenly over the wafer base, ensuring full coverage.
- Carefully pour a portion of the pudding mixture over the banana layer, spreading it smoothly to reach all edges.
- Repeat the layering process: wafers, bananas, and pudding mixture, building height and complexity with each successive tier.
- Complete the dessert with a final smooth layer of pudding mixture, ensuring a pristine surface.
- Crown the pudding with remaining whipped topping, spreading it delicately across the top.
- Refrigerate the dessert for a minimum of four hours, allowing flavors to meld and cookies to soften.
- Before serving, optionally garnish with additional banana slices or crushed wafers for textural contrast and visual appeal.
Notes
- Softening Tip: Allow vanilla wafers to absorb pudding’s moisture, creating a delightful cake-like texture that melts in your mouth.
- Banana Browning Prevention: Toss fresh banana slices in a little lemon juice to keep them looking fresh and prevent quick discoloration.
- Make-Ahead Magic: This dessert actually tastes better when refrigerated overnight, giving ingredients time to meld and develop deeper, richer flavors.
- Dietary Flexibility: Swap regular milk with almond or oat milk for a dairy-free version, and use gluten-free vanilla wafers to accommodate different dietary needs.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 309
- Sugar: 26 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg