This is absolutely The Best Banana Pudding Recipe I’ve ever made. Creamy vanilla pudding, sweet bananas, and Nilla Wafers matched with a delicious layer of no-bake cheesecake–everyone will be asking you for the recipe!
The Best Banana Pudding Recipe
When I was a newlywed, several ages ago now, my husband asked if I knew how to make banana pudding. I think we had eaten it at a church dinner or something like that. So I looked up the recipe and made it for a dessert. It was good, but I could tell something was lacking. So the next time I made banana pudding, I decided to make it better.
It was such a big hit! So much so that years later friends still say it’s their favorite thing that I make. Banana pudding is a very simple, comfort food type of dessert. I made it better by adding a layer of a no-bake cheesecake filling. It is soooo good.
The Ingredients
The ingredients you’ll need to make The Best Banana Pudding Recipe are so simple:
- Milk – I use whole milk
- Instant vanilla pudding
- Cool Whip – I used whipped topping from ALDI
- Vanilla extract
- Powdered sugar
- Cream cheese
- Bananas
- Nilla Wafers – again I used the ALDI brand, although Nilla Wafers are better
That’s it! Keep reading as I walk you step-by-step through the process of putting this dessert together and you’ll find the printable instructions with the full ingredient list towards the end.
How to Make The Best Banana Pudding Recipe
STEP 1: Begin by mixing the instant vanilla pudding mix with the milk; set this aside.
STEP 2: Beat the cream cheese and powdered sugar together until smooth. Reserve some of the Cool Whip for garnish and whip the rest into the cream cheese mixture.
STEP 3: Cut the bananas into medallions.
STEP 4: Now it is time to assemble the banana pudding. Place Nilla Wafers on the bottom of a 9×13-inch Pyrex dish in a single layer.
STEP 5: Spread the prepared vanilla pudding over the Nilla Wafers.
STEP 6: Add a layer of sliced bananas.
STEP 7: Dollop the cheesecake mixture all over top of the banana layer, then use a spatula to gently spread them together until the layer is smooth and even.
STEP 8: Top the banana pudding with a layer of Nilla Wafers. Scoop the reserved Cool Whip into a zip top bag and cut off the corner to make a piping bag. Pipe the Cool Whip on top of the banana pudding as garnish.
How to Store Leftovers
Keep any leftovers in an airtight container, or cover the dish with plastic wrap. Store in the refrigerator for up to three days. Be aware that the bananas will turn a little brown.
The Best Banana Pudding Recipe
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
Description
This is absolutely The Best Banana Pudding Recipe I’ve ever made. Creamy vanilla pudding, sweet bananas, and Nilla Wafers matched with a delicious layer of no-bake cheesecake–everyone will be asking you for the recipe!
Ingredients
- 2 packages (3.4 ounces each) instant vanilla pudding
- 4 cups cold milk
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/3 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 8-ounce tub whipped topping, thawed
- 11-ounce box vanilla wafer cookies
- 4 large bananas
Instructions
- In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the instant vanilla pudding and milk. Cover and refrigerate until thickened.
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese together with the powdered sugar and vanilla extract until smooth. Reserve ¾ cup of the whipped topping and set aside. Beat the remaining whipped topping into the cream cheese mixture until smooth and creamy.
- Line a 3-quart 9×13 inch glass dish with a single layer of the vanilla wafer cookies. Pour the prepared vanilla pudding over the cookies and gently spread out evenly with a spatula.
- Peel the bananas and slice into ½ inch thick rounds. Add the bananas to the dish over the vanilla layer.
- Dollop the “cheesecake” mixture over top of the bananas and use a spatula to very gently spread until the dollops meet and the cheesecake layer is evenly spread over all of the bananas.
- Top the cheesecake layer with an even layer of the vanilla wafer cookies.
- Scoop the reserved whipped topping into a small zip top bag and cut off the corner to create a piping bag. Decorate the top of the dessert with the whipped topping.
- Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate before serving to allow the cookies to soften.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: no-bake
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: banana pudding
WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU!
After you make The Best Banana Pudding Recipe, come back and tell me how you like it! You can leave a comment and recipe rating in the comments section below. You can also click here to see this on Pinterest and leave a comment there or even your own picture of your dessert. Another option would be to tag me on Instagram @MomNeedsChocolate. Can’t wait to hear from you!
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