Description
This Best Banana Pudding recipe is a creamy, no-bake dessert featuring layers of sweetened condensed milk, cream cheese, vanilla pudding, fresh bananas, and crunchy Nilla wafers. Easy to prepare and perfect for gatherings, it’s a classic Southern treat that delivers rich flavor and a delightful texture contrast between smooth pudding and wafer crunch.
Ingredients
Scale
Filling
- 8 ounce block cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- 14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk
- 5 ounce package INSTANT vanilla pudding mix (larger box)
- 3 cups milk (2% or higher)
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 8 ounce tub whipped topping (COOL WHIP), thawed (divided use)
Layering
- 11 ounce box Nilla wafers (divided use)
- 5-7 bananas, peeled and sliced (divided use)
Instructions
- Beat cream cheese: In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with an electric mixer on medium speed until it becomes smooth and fluffy, ensuring there are no lumps.
- Mix pudding base: Add the sweetened condensed milk, instant vanilla pudding mix, milk, and vanilla extract to the cream cheese. Mix all ingredients together until well combined and smooth.
- Fold in whipped topping: Stir in half of the thawed whipped topping gently into the pudding mixture to lighten the texture and add creaminess.
- Layer wafers: In a trifle dish, large bowl, or 9×13-inch baking dish, place one-third of the Nilla wafers in an even layer across the bottom.
- Add banana layer: Place a layer of sliced bananas evenly over the wafer layer.
- Add pudding layer: Pour one-third of the pudding mixture over the bananas, spreading it enough to cover all fruit slices.
- Repeat layers: Continue layering two more times with wafers, bananas, and pudding mixture until all ingredients are used.
- Top with whipped topping: Spread the remaining whipped topping evenly over the top layer of pudding.
- Chill to set: Cover the dessert with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least one to two hours to allow the pudding to thicken and the wafers to soften for perfect texture.
Notes
- This banana pudding is a no-cook dessert that requires no baking or stovetop preparation, making it very simple and quick to assemble.
- Using instant pudding mix and sweetened condensed milk creates a rich and creamy filling without needing eggs or cooking.
- The chilling step is essential for the wafers to soften, preventing a crunchy bite and making the pudding cohesive.
- Feel free to adjust the number of bananas based on size and preference; ripe but firm bananas work best to avoid mushiness.
- It can be made ahead and kept refrigerated for up to 2 days for convenience.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 458 kcal
- Sugar: 54 g
- Sodium: 408 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 72 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg
