Banana Pudding Recipe (Magnolia!)

This Banana Pudding Recipe is unbelievably easy to prepare! Layers of creamy pudding with sweet vanilla-flavored cookies and, of course, fresh bananas! This pudding recipe is (barely) adapted from the famous Magnolia Bakery recipe.

Magnolia Bakery Banana Pudding Recipe

Magnolia Bakery’s banana pudding is made with simple ingredients and is easy to make. The recipe, shared online, includes a creamy custard layer similar to what you find in Strawberry Shortcake Trifle and Brownie Trifle.

This popular dessert is no-bake and requires just a few common ingredients. Its rich taste is loved by many around the world, and you can easily recreate it at home.

Ingredients

• Sweetened Condensed Milk: Adds creaminess and sweetness to the Banana Pudding Recipe.
• Cold Water: Thins the condensed milk for proper pudding consistency.
• Instant Vanilla Pudding Mix: Thickens and flavors the pudding.
• Heavy Whipping Cream: Whipped to provide a light, fluffy texture.
• Vanilla Paste/Extract: Enhances flavor (optional).
• Fine Sea Salt: Balances and enhances the overall taste.
• Vanilla Wafer Cookies: Add texture; soften to a cake-like consistency in the dessert. Dip extra wafers in this Cannoli Dip.
• Ripe Bananas: Contribute natural sweetness and banana flavor.

How To Make Banana Pudding Recipe

1. Mix & Chill: Mix sweetened condensed milk with water, then add vanilla pudding mix. Chill.
2. Whip Cream: Whip cream with vanilla and salt to soft peaks.
3. Combine Mixtures: Combine chilled pudding with whipped cream.
4. Layer in Dish: Layer cream-pudding mix, vanilla wafers, and bananas in a dish.
5. Repeat Layers: Repeat layers, ending with cream-pudding mix.
6. Chill: Chill for several hours until cookies soften.
7. Garnish & Serve: Garnish with crushed cookies before serving Banana Pudding Recipe.

Banana Pudding Recipe FAQs

How do you keep bananas from browning in banana pudding?

When fully covered in pudding, bananas are less prone to browning. Lightly brush banana slices with club soda (not tonic water) before adding to the pudding.

Why is my banana pudding soupy?

Pudding can turn soupy if the cream or pudding isn’t fully thickened. Insufficiently whipped heavy cream will be soft and soupy, while over-whipped cream can become watery.

Storing banana pudding?

Banana pudding is best enjoyed fresh within 24 hours. Store leftovers tightly covered in the fridge. This pudding does not freeze well due to the dairy and bananas, which can cause the custard to break and the bananas to brown and seep.

More Delicious Desserts:

• Banana Chocolate Chip Cake with a chocolate buttercream frosting
• Blueberries and Cream Cake Trifle
• Strawberry Pretzel Salad
• Chocolate Pudding Pie
• Cheesecake Bars with a graham cracker crust

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5 from 1 vote

Banana Pudding Recipe

By Chelsea Lords

This Banana Pudding Recipe is unbelievably easy to prepare! Layers of creamy pudding with sweet vanilla-flavored cookies and, of course, fresh bananas! This pudding recipe is (barely) adapted from the famous Magnolia Bakery recipe.

Prep Time: 25 minutes minutes

Chilling Time: 2 hours hours

Total Time: 2 hours hours 25 minutes minutes

Servings: 12 -16 servings

Ingredients  

1x2x3x

• ▢ 1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk Note 1
• ▢ 1-1/2 cups very cold water
• ▢ 1 pkg (3.9 oz.) instant vanilla pudding mix Note 2
• ▢ 3 cups heavy whipping cream Note 3
• ▢ Optional: 2 teaspoons vanilla paste or vanilla extract
• ▢ 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
• ▢ 1 box (11 oz.) vanilla wafer cookies
• ▢ 5-6 ripe, firm bananas sliced

Instructions 

• PUDDING: In a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment (or very large bowl) add sweetened condensed milk and 1-1/2 cups cold water. Beat until combined, about 1 minute. Sprinkle in the entire (dry) pudding mix and beat until the mixture is fully smooth, about 2 minutes. Transfer this mixture to a separate bowl. Cover, and refrigerate until firm about 30 minutes to an hour.
• CREAM: In a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment (or very large bowl) add the heavy cream, vanilla, and salt. Beat on medium speed for about 1-3 minutes, until the cream starts to thicken. Increase the speed to medium-high and whip until soft peaks form. Be careful not to over-whip or cream will break. Reduce mixer to low.
• ADD IN PUDDING: While the mixer is running on low, add in the pudding mixture, a large spoonful at a time. Beat until no streaks of pudding remains and mixture is nicely thickened. (See video/photos)
• ASSEMBLE: Reserve 4 cookies for garnishing on top. Spread 1/4th of the pudding on the bottom of the trifle or dish. Add one layer of cookies followed by a layer of bananas. Add another 1/4th of the pudding. Repeat the layers until bananas, cookies, and pudding has been used, making sure the top layer is pudding.
• CHILL: Cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 3-6 hours or until cookies are tender (they should be softened to cake consistency). Crush up cookies to garnish on top. This dessert is best served within 12 hours of assembling.

Recipe Notes

Note 1: Sweetened condensed milk: Be sure to use regular (not low fat or reduced fat/sugar. This is not to be confused with evaporated milk.

Note 2: Pudding mix: Use regular (not sugar-free, not low-fat). We’re looking to use instant pudding mix and not the cook-and-serve type. The other thing to keep an eye out for is the pudding box size. We want to get the small 3.9-ounce (110g) box. When using the pudding mix, follow recipe directions — don’t prepare it according to package directions. Use Jell-o brand for best flavor (not sponsored).

Note 3: Heavy whipping cream: Milk won't work here -- it won't whip and thicken the way that cream does. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 506kcal | Carbohydrates: 58g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 29g | Saturated Fat: 17g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 79mg | Sodium: 262mg | Potassium: 379mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 41g | Vitamin A: 994IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 136mg | Iron: 0.3mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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