Easy Banana Pudding
User Reviews
5
Easy Banana Pudding
Description
This Banana Pudding recipe layers vanilla wafers, sliced bananas, and a creamy pudding made by blending cream cheese, sweetened condensed milk, vanilla extract, whipped topping, milk, and instant pudding mix. The pudding mixture becomes thick and smooth with an electric mixer, then folded with the cream cheese mixture to ensure richness and lightness. The dish is assembled in multiple layers to create a combination of crunchy wafers, soft banana slices, and creamy pudding.
The texture is both smooth and slightly crunchy from the wafers, and the flavor is sweet with vanilla and banana notes. Chilling the dessert for several hours sets the pudding and softens the wafers slightly for a pleasant mouthfeel. Dipping the bananas in lemon juice can help prevent browning before assembling.
This dessert is well suited to prepare ahead and refrigerate, then garnish with crumbled wafers on top before serving. It can be stored refrigerated for 2-3 days. Substitutions like ladyfinger or shortbread cookies for the wafers offer variations. Proper thawing of frozen whipped topping is necessary for smooth folding into the pudding.
Ingredients
- 8 oz cream cheese at room temperature
- 14 oz sweetened condensed milk can
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 8 oz whipped topping thawed, frozen
- 3 cups milk cold
- 2 (3.4 oz) instant vanilla pudding mix or banana pudding, boxes
- 1 (11 oz) vanilla wafers package
- 4 banana peeled and sliced
Instructions
- Whip the cream cheese in a large bowl until smooth. Add the sweetened condensed milk and vanilla, then whip once again until completely smooth. Fold in the whipped topping, then set aside.
- Add the milk and pudding mix to another large bowl and use an electric mixer to mix for about 3 minutes, or until the pudding starts to thicken. Fold the cream cheese mixture into the pudding and set aside.
- Use a 9 by 13-inch casserole dish, a large trifle dish, a large serving bowl, or even individual mason jars to assemble the pudding. Start by adding a layer of vanilla wafers to the bottom of your chosen dish, followed by a layer of pudding, then a layer of bananas, and then a layer of vanilla wafers. Continue this pattern for two to three more layers, ending with the pudding on top.
- Cover and refrigerate for three to four hours or until set. Crumble some vanilla wafers on top and serve.
Notes
- Use instant vanilla or banana pudding mix, not cook-and-serve types, for best results.
- Thaw frozen whipped topping in the fridge overnight or at room temperature for about an hour before using.
- Substitute vanilla wafers with ladyfinger cookies or a shortbread cookie like Lorna Doones if desired.
- Refrigerate the assembled pudding for at least 3 hours to set and chill properly before serving.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 days.
- To prevent banana slices from browning, dip them briefly in lemon or orange juice before assembling, avoiding excessive soaking to keep flavor balanced.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 8Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 692 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 692kcal | 35% |
| Carbohydrates | 104g | 35% |
| Protein | 12g | 24% |
| Fat | 27g | 42% |
| Saturated Fat | 15g | 75% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 3g | 18% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 6g | 30% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 56mg | 19% |
| Sodium | 531mg | 22% |
| Potassium | 625mg | 13% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 78g | 156% |
| Vitamin A | 662IU | 13% |
| Vitamin C | 7mg | 8% |
| Calcium | 299mg | 30% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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