Banana Pudding
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Bring the magic of New York’s iconic Magnolia Bakery right into your own kitchen! Easily whip up their world-famous banana pudding, a heavenly mix of creamy vanilla pudding, ripe bananas, and good ol’ Nilla wafers.
Served at Magnolia Bakery, the iconic NYC bakeshop known for its old-fashioned desserts and charming decor, this is arguably the world’s most famous banana pudding. I was fortunate that my sister lived around the corner from the original Magnolia Bakery on Bleecker Street for over a decade. No trip to see her was complete without standing in the seemingly endless line that extended outside the door, all for our banana pudding fix.
Given how famous this pudding is (it’s the bakery’s second-most popular dessert, after cupcakes), you may be surprised that the recipe calls for just a few ingredients, one of which is Jell-O instant vanilla pudding. I’ve made banana pudding entirely from scratch, demanding more ingredients and effort, and I can attest this simpler version rivals, if not surpasses, that. This recipe is adapted from The Complete Magnolia Bakery Cookbook by Alyssa Torrey and Jennifer Appel.
Table of Contents
“This is unbelievably delicious! I’m not a huge banana fan but I could eat this all day.”
What You’ll Need To Make Banana Pudding
Step-by-Step Instructions
In a large bowl, whisk the sweetened condensed milk and water until evenly combined.
Add the pudding mix.
Whisk until there are no lumps and the mixture is completely smooth. Transfer the mixture to a medium bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate until firm, 1 to 2 hours or overnight. (Be sure the pudding is completely solidified before continuing, otherwise the dessert will not hold up.)
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whisk the heavy cream on medium speed until the cream starts to thicken, about 30 seconds. Increase the speed to medium-high and whip until stiff peaks form. (Be careful not to over-whip; if the cream looks grainy, you’ve gone too far.)
Whisk the pudding to loosen it up. With the mixer on low speed, gradually add the pudding mixture a spoonful at a time.
Mix until just evenly blended and no streaks of pudding remain.
To assemble the dessert, use a 4-quart trifle dish or wide glass bowl, and set aside 5 cookies to use a garnish. Spread one-quarter of the pudding over the bottom.
Layer with one-third of the cookies.
Then add one-third of the sliced bananas (enough to cover the layer).
Repeat the layering twice more, ending with a final layer of pudding. Garnish the top with the reserved cookies or cookie crumbs (or a combination of the two).
Cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or up to 8 hours (no longer).
Frequently Asked Questions
They really don’t as long as they are covered with the pudding and the dish is covered when refrigerated. The bakery recommends assembling the pudding no more than 8 hours ahead, but I find that it’s still fresh the next day.
It’s worth trying to find vanilla wafers — their mild flavor and crunchy texture is ideal for this dessert. However, if you’re unable to source them, you can substitute with shortbread cookies, ladyfingers (also known as Savoiardi cookies), or animal crackers.
Yes! For individual portions instead of a large trifle dish, use clear glasses or mason jars and layer the ingredients in the same order, adjusting the quantity to fit the smaller containers.
Unfortunately, banana pudding does not freeze well.
Video Tutorial
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Banana Pudding
Bring the magic of New York’s iconic Magnolia Bakery right into your own kitchen! Easily whip up their world-famous banana pudding, a heavenly mix of creamy vanilla pudding, ripe bananas, and good ol’ Nilla wafers.
Ingredients
- One 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk
- 1½ cups ice-cold water
- One 3.4-ounce package instant vanilla pudding mix (preferably Jell-O brand)
- 3 cups heavy cream
- One 11-ounce box Nilla wafers
- 5 ripe medium bananas, sliced (see note)
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk the sweetened condensed milk and water until evenly combined. Add the pudding mix and whisk until there are no lumps and the mixture is completely smooth. Transfer the mixture to a medium bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate until firm, 1 to 2 hours or overnight. (Be sure the pudding is completely solidified before continuing, otherwise the dessert will not hold up.)
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whisk the heavy cream on medium speed until the cream starts to thicken, about 30 seconds. Increase the speed to medium-high and whip until stiff peaks form. (Be careful not to over-whip; if the cream looks grainy, you've gone too far.)
- Whisk the pudding to loosen it up. With the mixer on low speed, gradually add the pudding mixture a spoonful at a time. Mix until just evenly blended and no streaks of pudding remain.
- To assemble the dessert, use a 4-quart trifle dish or wide glass bowl, and set aside 5 cookies to use a garnish. Spread one-quarter of the pudding over the bottom and layer with one-third of the cookies then one-third of the sliced bananas (enough to cover the layer). Repeat the layering twice more, ending with a final layer of pudding. Garnish the top with the reserved cookies or cookie crumbs (or a combination of the two). Cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or up to 8 hours (preferably no longer as the cookies start to get too soft).
- Note: Peel and slice the bananas at the last minute (as you layer the pudding) to prevent them from turning brown.
Nutrition Information
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- Per serving (12 servings)
- Calories: 518
- Fat: 32 g
- Saturated fat: 18 g
- Carbohydrates: 55 g
- Sugar: 39 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Sodium: 274 mg
- Cholesterol: 93 mg
This website is written and produced for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and the nutritional data on this site has not been evaluated or approved by a nutritionist or the Food and Drug Administration. Nutritional information is offered as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. The data is calculated through an online nutritional calculator, Edamam.com. Although I do my best to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures should be considered estimates only. Varying factors such as product types or brands purchased, natural fluctuations in fresh produce, and the way ingredients are processed change the effective nutritional information in any given recipe. Furthermore, different online calculators provide different results depending on their own nutrition fact sources and algorithms. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator.
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Hi Jenn. I made this & the pudding would not thicken up. I did all the correct measurements & everything was the correct size used Jello instant pudding. Even left it overnight. Very disappointing. I’m scared to try again.
Hi Dawn, I’m sorry you had a problem with this! When you say the pudding didn’t thicken up, are you referring to the actual pudding, or the mixture of the pudding and the whipped cream?
Actual pudding. The first step. Adding the cold water to condensed milk then I added the Jell-o instant pudding. I just don’t understand why it stayed in a liquid format . Even after staying in refrigerator all night.
Dawn, that’s a head-scratcher – I honestly have no idea why that would happen! Did you definitely use sweetened condensed milk? If so, I might try it again – perhaps the pudding was bad??
Hi Jen, can I make this with the sugar free jello vanilla pudding? Don’t find the regular one here in Belgium. Would I need to add sugar to it? Thanks.
Hi Sujata, Yes, it should work. I assume the sugar-free pudding is already sweetened with an artificial sweetener so I wouldn’t add any sugar. Hope it turns out well!
The Vanilla Wafer Nabisco recipe is much better.
So easy to make & every single person who ate it the Christmas Eve asked for the recipe! Amazing and so so delicious!!!
Is this an appropriate dessert to bring for Thanksgiving dinner. I usually make this in the summer but my son is hosting and my husband feels this is not a dessert for this holiday. I always make your desserts like brownies and blondies and someone else is bringing a pie. My daughter in law does not eat nuts and I am not familiar with some of the other guests so I thought this might be a good alternative. Any input/suggestions would be helpful. Thank you
Hi Michele, I wouldn’t say this is a traditional Thanksgiving dessert, but I don’t think there’s anything wrong with bringing it! If you’d like to browse through some other dessert options, there’s a big collection here. Hope you enjoy whatever you make!
Hi, I don’t have a stand mixer and have been cut off from making anymore kitchen gadget purchases since my husband busted me for ordering the cherry pitter to make your Clafoutis. Would a hand held mixer
LOL – yes a hand-held mixer will work well!
What would you suggest instead of bananas ?
We don’t much like in desert.
Love them in banana, peanut butter , cinnamon,toasted wholewheat bread sandwiches.
Hi Jen, You could try berries.
Hi Jenn, Nilla wafers and the thin chocolate wafers for your choc peanut butter ice box cake have become hard to come by. Any substitutes?
PS I am a regular follower and enjoy many of your wonderful recipes.
Hi Elisa, I know the chocolate wafers have been discontinued — so frustrating! These Dewey’s Brownie Crisp Cookies are a good substitute. I haven’t had a problem Finding Nilla Wafers, but if you can’t, I’d go with shortbread cookies instead. Hope you enjoy the pudding!
I love all of Jenn’s recipes, but I must agree that using condensed milk and vanilla pudding is heresy! This recipe may be a delicious trifle, but would never be considered a real banana pudding in the South! Make your own sweet custard! The “original” Nilla Wafer banana pudding recipe was printed in the box for many decades. Google it, and you will not be disappointed!
Hi Brenda. Please don’t yell at us. You may be from the South, and you may be a true devotee to some southern recipes (ie : biscuits, cornbread, grits, beans and rice, etc), but I really think that banana pudding is pushing it a bit too far. Come on girl, don’t you realize that other people have different tastes than you? I’ll let you have your tastes if you’ll let me have mine. PS – I made this recipe for a crowd and they loved it!
Hi Jenn!
Love your recipes but I already make this one & I call it The Best Banana Pudding Ever! All my family, friend’s & previous co-workers will agree! ( I’m retired now). Keep up the good work!
Deliciously insane
My family loves banana pudding. I have always hated it. Until I decided to make this recipe for Father’s Day. It is delicious. Everyone (me included) loves it.
I have loved every single recipe you’ve put out. Until now. I’m
Sure it’s an excellent recipe. I just grew up on banana pudding from scratch, and without condensed milk.
Southern Banana pudding with meringue
(from my mother to me and from my grandmother to my mother)
Pudding:
4 cups whole milk (I don’t advise skim, the taste won’t be nearly so good)
2 cups white granulated sugar
4 heaping tablespoons self-rising flour
4 heaping tablespoons corn starch
4 egg yolks from large eggs.
Save the Egg whites for meringue and make sure NO water gets in them!)
1 tablespoon (more to taste!) high quality vanilla extract
About 6 ripe bananas
One box Nillla vanilla wafers
In large, heavy-bottomed pan, mix dry ingredients (I sift them together). You need a heavy bottomed pan to keep from sticking or burning the pudding.
In a large bowl, beat eggs into milk. Gradually add egg/milk mixture to dry ingredients. Make sure no lumps.
Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, til pudding mixture comes to a full boil.
Boil 2 more minutes, then remove pudding mixture from heat and add the vanilla extract.
Cool the pudding before adding bananas or you risk cooking the bananas! Cooked bananas are NOT good in banana pudding!
I remove the pudding from the hot pan to help it cool faster. I usually put pudding in a large bowl and then in the fridge. If I’m in a huge hurry, I may put my pudding bowl in an ice water bath, or even in the freezer for an hour or so. Just watch out for it and don’t freeze it!
Once the pudding has cooled, layer an oven-safe bowl with a layer of vanilla wafers, then a layer of bananas, then a layer of pudding and repeat til used up. End with a layer of pudding on top. Refrigerate one day. The meringue will eventually go on that the next day.
Meringue
4 egg whites from large eggs, room temp (about thirty minutes out of fridge is usually good)
4 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon high quality vanilla extract
You can also use 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar for stability of meringue. I recommend it, but it’s not mandatory. Helps meringue not “weep.”
On medium speed, beat the room
Temp egg whites, the vanilla extract and 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar til soft peaks form. The soft peaks will curl over if you remove the mixer blades.
Slowly add sugar, one tablespoon at a time, while beating at high speed. If you add the sugar too fast, it knocks the air out of the whites and they won’t be as fluffy and high. Beat on high til stiff, glossy peaks form. Put on top of the pudding/wafers, banana/pudding mix.
Bake 350° for about 10 minutes til meringue tips are lightly golden.
Refrigerate for storage.
If you don’t beat til sugar dissolves, you’ll have “beads” left on top after baking. I like the beads but some people don’t. Whatever works for you.
Suggest eggs several days old. Too fresh and they won’t give as high a peak of meringue.
You can easily halve this recipe as it makes a lot of banana pudding!
For best results, cook the pudding and put it all together one day before eating, but don’t make the meringue til the day you eat it.
The pudding, vanilla, vanilla wafers and banana flavors will meld together better if it’s made one day before eating. The meringue quality goes down from day one to following days, so make it “day of serving.”
It will still be fine several days on fridge; if it lasts that long! It just won’t look as pretty if it sits a few days!
Thank you for sharing your family recipe, Charese. I have saved it and will add to my “must try” list as my husband adores banana pudding. I love Jenn’s recipes but also much prefer homemade custard to boxed pudding (especially because I don’t like desserts to be too too sweet). Once Upon a Chef is still my go-to recipe site, though! ❤️
I’m with you Charese! I’m a meringue lover too. The self rising flour was a surprise! (It’s also how you know it’s Southern…that flower makes good biscuits easy.)
Another caveat, besides not getting water in the egg whites, make sure there’s no yolk in the whites. Even a little will prevent the whites from reaching the stratosphere! And Southern banana puddin’ needs high meringue!
This is much too complicated for lazy me!
I have made the Magnolia Bakery recipe and found it way too sweet. I wish there was a way to cut the sweetness back a bit.
I’ve made this several times for parties and holidays. Everyone loves it! Thanks for sharing such a delicious, easy recipe.
I’ve made this twice and it is a delicious well received dessert! I’m wondering if to cut down a bit on the sweetness I could sub evaporated milk for the sweetened condensed milk.
Thank you for all of your wonderful recipes and ideas
So glad the pudding has been well received! Unfortunately, I don’t think evaporated milk would be a good substitute for the sweetened condensed milk – sorry!
Chef, when adding the pudding, are we using serving spoons? Thank you!
Hi Ralph, you can use a large spoon or spatula.
Can I use milk instead of water? Or is there a reason you prefer water? Thanks!
Hi Alexandra, This recipe is from Magnolia Bakery so I’m not sure why they chose water, but I think milk will work too.
Best banana pudding ever! It makes a lot and is very high calorie, but so worth it! Very easy to make.
This was delicious and really fun to make! I was too lazy to drag out my kitchen aide mixer so I used a hand mixer and had my son add the pudding mixture one spoonful at a time (definitely a two person job if not using a kitchen aid) . I will make this again for sure!
OMG! So delicious! And so easy for someone who is a savory chef! I always fail at desserts but this was the hit of the party! Used “mini” Nilla wafers and they fit perfectly in my glass salad serving bowl.
This is unbelievably delicious! I’m not a huge banana fan but I could eat this all day. It’s now in my top favorite desserts. Thank you for all of your amazing recipes. I’ve made a lot of your recipes and have never found any we did not like, they’re always superb!
Oh, my! I made this for dessert for our Labor Day gathering. It was a perfect dessert to top off the evening. It makes a lot, so was able to send some home with our kids, knowing it wouldn’t keep well, but it was still a treat 2 days later, just softer. Didn’t change anything, and this recipe could not be any easier! So simple and delicious, yet looks impressive!
I made this for Labor Day. It was a big hit!! It looked so beautiful in my footed trifle dish, similar to yours. I made two minor changes: I used Jello French Vanilla instant pudding mix instead of regular vanilla. Also, when whisking the three cups of cream, I added 1 Tablespoon of sugar. I felt it needed sweetness. This recipe will be my go to dessert for a crowd. It was a delicious dessert without cooking or baking! Thank you for sharing your talent with us.
Best Banana Recipe Ever!
This dessert was so simple to make and a huge hit at a family gathering! I was nervous about the bananas turning brown but I trusted your tip and followed the recipe and it turned out perfectly! Thanks
My mother and I have made this banana pudding for years to rave reviews. One step in the version we have is to slice the bananas FIRST and let them soak in fresh lemon juice (usually 1-2 lemons is fine; just enough to cover the slices). This eliminates browning of the fruit over time and adds a bit of tang that people love but can’t quite identify.
We just finished eating this for dessert – my daughter is jumping up and down over it – so, so good. I could not wait for it to chill for 4-8 hours! Still so good – easy too!
I have never seen Nilla wafers for sale in Canada. Does anyone know what would be a good substitute? I’ve never had them so I’m not sure. Definitely want to make this! Thanks 🙂
Hi Erica, either animal crackers or shortbread cookies would work nicely. Please LMK how it turns out if you try this with one of them!
They are available on Amazon.ca, as well as a gluten-free vanilla wafer cookie that I haven’t yet tried. Alternatively, you could try “langues de chat” (“cat’s tongue” cookies) which I have used here in Montreal. They might be available in smaller, European-style grocery stores.
I am from the South and have always made banana pudding, but I never would use instant pudding or canned condensed milk. Ugh.
Why do people have to comment on a recipe that they didn’t try? That’s not what reviews are for! Ugh
Is there any reason I could not make this in individual glasses? Like your other banana pudding recipe?
Hi Sammy, Individual glasses will work just fine. Enjoy!
Can this recipe be adapted to single-serving pudding bowls or ramekins? 4-qt is huge for my small household. Looks delicious!
Sure!
I have made this often. It is FANTASTIC. At first I used cooked pudding (it had to be better than instant, right?) but once my husband bought instant in error. Voilà! It was even better! It is one of my grandsons’ favorite desserts—they love to help make it. And never, ever substitute cool whip for the whipped cream. This is an amazing, showy dessert for little effort, but you must follow the guidelines about chill times.
I want to make this! I have a question though…once assembled, will the bananas turn brown overnight? Is there a way to prevent this?
Thanks
Hi Jan, They really don’t as long as they are covered with the pudding and the dish is covered when refrigerated. (Also, peel and slice the bananas at the last minute as you layer the pudding.) The bakery recommends making it no more than 8 hours ahead, but I find that it’s still really good the next day.
Great. I had the same question about the bananas turning brown and you answered it ! Love this
Thanks