Banana Pudding Recipe Easy Cozy Grandma’s No-Fail Dessert
A simple, comforting banana pudding recipe featuring creamy vanilla custard, ripe bananas, and buttery vanilla wafers. Perfect for potlucks, family dinners, or a cozy treat any time.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 (3.4-ounce / 96 g) package instant vanilla pudding mix
- 1 (14-ounce / 396 g) can sweetened condensed milk
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 4–5 ripe bananas, sliced
- 1 (12-ounce / 340 g) box vanilla wafers
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream, chilled (optional)
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar (optional)
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk together the instant vanilla pudding mix and whole milk for about 2 minutes until it starts to thicken.
- Stir in the sweetened condensed milk and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.
- Peel and slice ripe bananas into 1/4-inch thick rounds and set aside.
- Spread a thin layer of pudding at the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Add a layer of vanilla wafers, then a layer of banana slices.
- Repeat layers of pudding, wafers, and bananas, finishing with a generous layer of pudding on top.
- If using, beat the heavy cream with powdered sugar until soft peaks form and spread evenly over the top layer of pudding.
- Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight to allow flavors to meld and wafers to soften.
- Serve chilled, spooning into bowls.
Notes
Slice bananas just before layering to prevent browning. Chill pudding for at least 4 hours or overnight for best texture. For less soggy wafers, add a thin layer of pudding between wafers or leave small gaps. Whipped cream topping is optional and should be added just before serving if short on time to avoid weeping.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/8 of the prepared
- Calories: 275
- Sugar: 30
- Sodium: 210
- Fat: 10
- Saturated Fat: 6
- Carbohydrates: 42
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 4
Keywords: banana pudding, easy dessert, no-fail dessert, vanilla pudding, vanilla wafers, creamy banana dessert, potluck dessert