Welcome the summer with this simple, no-bake Classic Banana Pudding dessert. Bananas are tasty and readily available all year round.
Classic Banana Pudding Recipe
This Banana Pudding Recipe is a summer staple you can bring to your next potluck, BBQ, or family gathering, as this feeds a large group. An indulgent crowd-pleaser when served individually to impress your friends and family.
A close adaptation to the classic English trifle, these Banana Pudding Cups bring light and creamy layers of vanilla pudding, Homemade whipped cream, vanilla wafers cookies, and Bananas. I am using, at my daughter’s request, classic cookies. You can substitute for Chessman cookies or Ladyfingers. Using these Mini Nilla cookies will provide a subtle buttery and sweet vanilla flavor profile and add a decorative touch. When layered between the pudding and whipped cream, the cookies will transform into a cakelike consistency, which is what you want. If you prefer a bit of texture, feel free to crumble a few cookies over the top when served.
Tips to make this Banana Pudding Recipe:
- Bananas are best for this recipe when chosen without any brown spots. When I made this I noticed the Bananas didn’t brown because I chose less ripened, brightly yellow peel bananas.
- I recommend you make this recipe fresh to be eaten within 1- 4 hours of serving.
- Bananas Oxidize when exposed to air. If you would like to store it, it is best in the fridge in an air-tight container, or seal the trifle dish with saran wrap to keep it from browning.
- You can brush a bit of lemon juice on the bananas right before peeling them if you anticipate having leftovers, as this can be refrigerated for 2 days.
- Note: If you like a stronger banana profile substitute the flavored vanilla pudding for
banana pudding. - If you can’t make the whipped cream, use a store-bought cool whip.
Ingredients you'll need to make Banana Pudding:
Cold Milk: The milk serves as the base for the pudding mixture. Using cold milk helps the instant pudding powder dissolve easily and prevents clumping. Cold milk also ensures a smoother and creamier texture for the pudding.
Vanilla Extract: Vanilla extract adds a subtle but essential flavor to the pudding. It enhances the overall taste of the dessert, providing a warm and aromatic note.
Instant Vanilla Pudding Packages: Instant vanilla pudding is a convenient and quick way to create a smooth and creamy pudding. The pudding mix contains thickening agents that help the dessert set properly.
Sweetened Condensed Milk: Sweetened condensed milk is a key ingredient in banana pudding. It adds richness, sweetness, and a velvety texture to the pudding, making it more indulgent and flavorful.
Heavy Whipping Cream: Whipping cream is whipped to incorporate air, resulting in a light and fluffy texture. It adds a luxurious and creamy element to the pudding, complementing the other flavors.
Nilla Wafers: For banana pudding recipes, Nilla Wafers are a classic choice of cookies. They have a delicate crumbly texture that makes them ideal for adding a sweet and buttery crunch to the banana pudding. The cookies create a wonderful contrast to the creamy pudding and fresh bananas, which enhances the dessert’s overall flavor and texture. Additionally, these cookies are the perfect size for cup desserts. If you prefer, you can also use Chessman cookies.
Fresh Bananas: Fresh bananas are a key component of banana pudding, providing a natural and fruity element to the dessert. Ripe bananas offer a creamy and sweet taste with a slightly firm texture. Sliced bananas are layered within the pudding, adding bursts of flavor and a pleasant texture that complements the creamy layers.
Powdered Sugar: Powdered sugar, also known as confectioners’ sugar or icing sugar, is a finely ground sugar with a powdery consistency. It is often used for dusting desserts to add a touch of sweetness and an elegant appearance. In this recipe, powdered sugar is used to sweeten and enhance the flavor of the whipped cream.
How to Make This Classic Banana Pudding:
First step: In a large mixing bowl, add cold milk, instant vanilla pudding packages, and vanilla extract and beat until the mixture thickens.
Then, add the condensed milk and continue mixing until combined.
Next, in a separate bowl, beat the heavy cream until it reaches a fluffy consistency with stiff peaks.
Using a spatula, slowly fold about ⅔ of the whipped cream mixture into the pudding mixture.
Continue, by adding the powdered sugar to the remaining whipped cream and beating well. Place it in the refrigerator until needed.
Now is time to assemble:
When assembling the layers of the dessert, switch between the pudding, sliced bananas, cookies, and whipped cream at regular intervals. This guarantees that the flavors and textures are distributed evenly throughout the dish. To save the bananas from turning brown before I could use them, I made the decision to slice them as I needed them.
Classic Banana Pudding
Ingredients
- 2 cups cold milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 (3.4 oz.) each instant vanilla pudding packages
- 1 (14 oz.) sweetened condensed milk
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 1 (11 oz.) Mini Nilla Wafers
- 4 fresh bananas
- 3 tablespoons powdered sugar
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, add cold milk, instant vanilla pudding packages, and vanilla extract and beat until the mixture thickens.
- Then, add the condensed milk and continue mixing until combined.
- Next, in a separate bowl, beat the heavy cream until it reaches a fluffy consistency with stiff peaks.
- Using a spatula, slowly fold about ⅔ of the whipped cream mixture into the pudding mixture.
- Continue, by adding the powdered sugar to the remaining whipped cream and beating well. Place it in the refrigerator until needed.
Now is the time to assemble: When assembling the layers of the dessert, switch between the pudding, sliced bananas, cookies, and whipped cream at regular intervals.
- Add pudding using a spatula or pipe with a bag for a cleaner look.
- Add banana slices
- Stack some cookies on top.
- Add whipped cream and spread it over the bananas and waffles, and repeat, adding another layer of cookies and bananas. You can even scramble the cookies.
- Add another layer of pudding and spread it with the back of the spoon.
- Lastly, add another layer of whipped cream over the top of the pudding and decorate as desired. Enjoy!
Notes
Tips to make this Banana Pudding Recipe:
- Bananas are best for this recipe when chosen without any brown spots. When I made this I noticed the Bananas didn't brown because I chose less ripened, brightly yellow peel bananas.
- I recommend you make this recipe fresh to be eaten within 1- 4 hours of serving.
Bananas Oxidize when exposed to air. If you would like to store it, it is best in the fridge in an air-tight container, or seal the trifle dish with saran wrap to keep it from browning. - You can brush a bit of lemon juice on the bananas right before peeling them if you anticipate having leftovers, as this can be refrigerated for 2 days.
- Note: If you like a stronger banana profile substitute the flavored vanilla pudding for
banana pudding. - If you can't make the whipped cream, use a store-bought cool whip.
Nutrition
Tell me what you think of this recipe, and if you have any questions, don’t forget to get in touch with me. I’m always happy to hear from YOU.
Until the next one…
