Best Banana Pudding (Classic & Creamy)
⏱ Time
Prep: 20 minutes
Chill: 4 hours (best overnight)
Total: ~4½ hours
🍽 Serves
8–10
🧾 Ingredients
Pudding
1 (14 oz / 400 g) can sweetened condensed milk
1½ cups (360 ml) cold water
1 (3.4 oz / 96 g) box instant vanilla pudding mix
1 cup (240 ml) heavy whipping cream
Layers
4–5 ripe bananas, sliced
1 box vanilla wafers (Nilla Wafers or similar)
Topping (optional but recommended)
Extra whipped cream or crushed wafers
👩🍳 Instructions
1️⃣ Make the Pudding Base
In a large bowl, whisk condensed milk and cold water until smooth.
Add pudding mix and whisk 2 minutes until thick.
Cover and refrigerate 5 minutes to set slightly.
2️⃣ Whip the Cream
In a separate bowl, whip heavy cream to stiff peaks.
Gently fold whipped cream into pudding mixture until smooth and fluffy.
3️⃣ Assemble the Layers
In a trifle dish, bowl, or 9×13 pan:
Layer vanilla wafers
Add banana slices
Spread pudding mixture
Repeat layers, ending with pudding on top.
4️⃣ Chill
Cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours, preferably overnight.
Top with whipped cream or crushed wafers before serving.
⭐ Why This Is the BEST
✔ Extra creamy (whipped cream, not just pudding)
✔ Balanced sweetness
✔ Soft but not soggy wafers
✔ Strong banana flavor without being mushy
❓ Q & A – Banana Pudding FAQs
❓ How do I keep bananas from turning brown?
Use just-ripe bananas (yellow, few spots).
Lightly brush slices with lemon juice or layer quickly so pudding covers them.
❓ Can I make it ahead?
Yes! It’s better the next day.
Best eaten within 48 hours
After that, bananas soften too much
❓ Can I use homemade pudding instead of instant?
Absolutely.
Use 2½ cups cooked vanilla pudding, cooled completely
Fold in whipped cream the same way
❓ Can I freeze banana pudding?
❌ Not recommended.
Texture becomes watery and grainy when thawed.
❓ Can I make it less sweet?
Yes:
Use ½ cup whipped cream extra and reduce condensed milk slightly
Or add a pinch of salt to balance sweetness
Butter cookies
Shortbread
Graham crackers
Biscoff (for a caramel twist)
❓ Why is my pudding runny?
Common causes:
Not enough chill time
Whipped cream under-whipped
Using warm pudding
✔ Fix: Chill longer and whip cream to stiff peaks.
🔄 Popular Variations
🍫 Chocolate Banana Pudding
Add chocolate wafers or drizzle chocolate sauce between layers.
🍓 Banana Pudding Trifle
Add strawberries or blueberries between layers.
🍰 Southern Baked Banana Pudding
Top with meringue and bake until golden.
🥥 Dairy-Free Version
Use coconut whipped cream + coconut condensed milk.
🍽 Serving Tip
Serve cold with:
Fresh banana slices
Crushed wafers on top
A light dusting of cinnamon.
