This is the creamiest, dreamiest, no-fail banana pudding you’ll ever make. It’s rich without being heavy, perfectly sweet, and layered with tender bananas and cookies that soften into pure comfort. One bite and people will beg you for the recipe—so save it now.
🧾 Ingredients (Serves 8–10)
Pudding Base
- 1 (14 oz / 400 g) can sweetened condensed milk
- 1½ cups cold milk
- 1 (3.4 oz / 96 g) box instant vanilla pudding mix
Creamy Layer
- 1½ cups heavy whipping cream
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Layers
- 4–5 ripe bananas, sliced
- 1 box vanilla wafers (or butter cookies)
👩🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions
1️⃣ Make the Pudding
In a large bowl, whisk condensed milk and cold milk until smooth.
Add pudding mix and whisk for 2 minutes until thick.
Cover and chill 5–10 minutes.
2️⃣ Whip the Cream
In another bowl, whip heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla until soft, fluffy peaks form.
3️⃣ Combine
Gently fold the whipped cream into the chilled pudding until light and creamy.
Do not overmix—this keeps it airy.
4️⃣ Assemble the Layers
In a large dish:
- Layer vanilla wafers
- Add sliced bananas
- Spread pudding mixture
Repeat layers, finishing with pudding on top.
5️⃣ Chill (IMPORTANT!)
Cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours, preferably overnight.
This step makes the cookies soft and the flavors incredible.
⭐ Pro Tips (Why This Recipe Is the BEST)
- Use ripe bananas (yellow with spots)
- Chill overnight for bakery-level texture
- Add bananas right before layering to prevent browning
- For extra flavor, brush banana slices with a little lemon juice
🔁 Optional Upgrades
- Southern Style: top with crushed wafers
- Extra Rich: use half cream cheese (softened) + half pudding
- Chocolate Twist: add chocolate wafers
- Individual Cups: perfect for parties
🏁 Final Result
✔ Ultra creamy
✔ Perfectly sweet
✔ Soft cookie layers
✔ Crowd-pleasing classic
This is the kind of recipe people write on cards, screenshot, and pass down.
👉 Don’t lose it. Save it. Share it. Make it again and again.