Here’s a recipe for The Best Banana Pudding Ever! This dessert is creamy, indulgent, and a classic favorite. It combines layers of vanilla pudding, fresh bananas, and crunchy vanilla wafers, making it the ultimate treat for any occasion.
The Best Banana Pudding Ever
Ingredients:
- 1 (5.1 oz) box instant vanilla pudding mix
- 2 3/4 cups whole milk
- 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 (12 oz) container of Cool Whip (or homemade whipped cream)
- 4-5 ripe bananas, sliced
- 1 (11 oz) box vanilla wafers (you may need extra for topping)
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Pudding:
- In a medium bowl, whisk the instant vanilla pudding mix and whole milk together until well combined and thickened. This usually takes about 2 minutes.
- Set the pudding aside to firm up while you prepare the rest of the mixture.
2. Make the Cream Cheese Layer:
- In a separate large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with a hand mixer or stand mixer until smooth.
- Add the sweetened condensed milk and vanilla extract to the cream cheese and continue to beat until everything is fully combined.
3. Combine the Pudding and Cream Cheese Mixture:
- Fold the thickened vanilla pudding into the cream cheese mixture until smooth and well blended. You’ll now have a rich, creamy mixture.
4. Fold in the Whipped Cream:
- Gently fold the Cool Whip (or homemade whipped cream) into the pudding and cream cheese mixture until smooth and fluffy. Be careful not to deflate the whipped cream too much.
5. Layer the Banana Pudding:
- In a large trifle dish or a 9×13-inch baking dish, layer the vanilla wafers, starting with a layer of wafers at the bottom of the dish.
- Add a layer of sliced bananas over the wafers.
- Then, spread half of the creamy pudding mixture over the bananas.
- Repeat the layers: another layer of wafers, bananas, and the rest of the pudding mixture.
6. Top with More Wafers:
- Crush a few extra vanilla wafers and sprinkle them over the top for added texture and decoration.
7. Chill and Serve:
- Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours (overnight is best). This allows the flavors to meld together, and the wafers will soften to the perfect texture.
- Serve chilled and enjoy the creamy, delicious layers of this classic dessert!
Tips:
- For an extra touch of flavor, you can add a small amount of ground cinnamon or a few splashes of banana liqueur to the pudding mixture.
- If you prefer homemade whipped cream, just whip 1 cup of heavy cream with 2 tablespoons of powdered sugar until stiff peaks form, and use that in place of the Cool Whip.
- If you’re preparing this for a gathering, it’s a great idea to make it a day ahead of time so the dessert can chill and the flavors really develop.
This Banana Pudding is the perfect combination of creamy, fruity, and sweet with a little crunch from the vanilla wafers—definitely the best banana pudding ever!