Name: Banana Pudding
Yield: 12

This straightforward Banana Pudding Recipe has layers of creamy pudding, sweet vanilla cookies, and fresh bananas, inspired by Magnolia Bakery.

author’s note

My Take On The Magnolia Banana Pudding Recipe!

My husband and I have never visited New York without stopping for Magnolia Bakery’s banana pudding—it’s one of our all-time favorite desserts. So when they shared the recipe online, I knew I had to try it and add my own twist.

After a little testing and a few tweaks, I was ready for my husband to try it. And when I say he gasped, I’m not kidding. He declared it just as good as the iconic Magnolia version we always crave.

With just a few simple ingredients and no baking required, you can make it at home in no time!

Ingredients

Ingredient	Tips
Sweetened Condensed Milk	Use regular, not low-fat or sugar-free.
Cold Water	Use cold water to help the pudding set faster.
Instant Vanilla Pudding Mix	Use regular instant pudding, not sugar-free or cook-and-serve.
Heavy Cream	Used to make whipped cream.
Vanilla Paste or Extract	skippable, but adds extra vanilla flavor.
Salt	A tiny bit goes a long way.
Vanilla Wafer Cookies	Set a few aside to crush on top for extra crunch.
Sliced Bananas	Choose firm, ripe bananas so they hold their shape.

Sweetened condensed milk being added, followed by whisking in water, and then adding the pudding mix and whisking until smooth, the initial steps in preparing this straightforward banana pudding recipe.

How To Make Banana Pudding Recipe

Mix Pudding Base: Let the pudding sit in the fridge for 30 mins so it thickens.
Whip Cream: Stop whipping when the cream holds its shape but is still soft.
Combine: Slowly mix in the chilled pudding, one spoonful at a time.
Layer: Repeat layers until everything is used, ending with pudding on top.
Chill and Serve: Let it sit overnight for extra flavor—the cookies will turn soft like cake!

Quick Tip

Unlike Banana Cream Pie or Banana Cupcakes, this recipe works best with firm, just-ripe bananas for the right texture.

In a separate bowl, cream, vanilla, and salt being whisked until thickened, followed by gradually adding the thickened pudding and mixing until fully integrated, creating a creamy base for this dessert.

Variations

Switch Things up

Use store-bought whipped topping instead of from-scratch whipped cream to save time.
Swap vanilla pudding for banana pudding for more banana flavor.
Make single servings by layering the pudding in small cups instead of a big dish.
Use graham crackers instead of vanilla wafers for a different texture.
Swap bananas for strawberries for a fruity twist.

Begin layering with adding the pudding, followed by vanilla cookies and sliced bananas, then repeating these steps to create the gorgeous and satisfying banana pudding recipes.

chelsea’s recipe tips

How To Serve Banana Pudding Recipe

Simple: Layer in a 9×13-inch pan for straightforward serving.
Individual Servings: Use clear cups (disposable or reusable) for a fancier look.
Big Batch: Use one large trifle dish and scoop into bowls to serve.