Classic Banana Pudding Recipe
Who doesn't love banana pudding? We sure do. These individual banana pudding cups are not only adorable, but they also make a perfect dessert for a crowd. They are an equally welcome addition to any summer barbecue spread or weekend brunch party. With only 6 ingredients and less than an hour of prep time, you can whip these up for any occasion — or even on a busy weeknight as a little treat for yourself for getting one step closer to the weekend.
Recipe developer Christina Musgrave prefers to serve banana pudding individually in single-serve glassware, but this recipe can also be made as a large layered dish. Simply opt for a large glass serving vessel instead of individual cups.
Because the vanilla wafer cookies will ultimately get soggy in the pudding, Musgrave warns, "these won't keep super well, so I recommend eating them the day they are made." Don't worry, Christina; we surely won't have a problem with that.
Gather your classic banana pudding ingredients
To make this classic banana pudding, let's start by gathering our ingredients. For this recipe, you will need instant vanilla pudding mix, whole milk, vanilla extract, bananas, vanilla wafer cookies, and whipped cream.
Create the pudding base
Let's get started. In a large bowl, add the pudding mix and whole milk. Whisk this combination well; after a while, it should begin to thicken. Ah, the magic of pudding mix! At this point, we're going to toss in a special ingredient: the vanilla extract. Musgrave says this ingredient is key, upping the vanilla factor and letting that floral aroma "stand out even more." Mix the vanilla extract in until it is thoroughly incorporated.
Layer the pudding
Now we can begin assembling the pudding in layers. In individual cups, place a scoop of the pudding at the bottom, top it with some wafers, then add the banana slices. Repeat this process until all individual cups are filled.
Top with whipped cream
Once you have your layers of pudding, wafers, and bananas, allow the cups to chill for at least 30 minutes. Then, top with a final dollop of whipped cream. Garnish with an extra wafer cooking and you're ready to serve!
Classic Banana Pudding
Banana pudding is so much more than the sum of its parts. Learn how to make this comforting and satisfying dessert, which requires only six ingredients.
Ingredients
- 1 (3.4-ounce) package instant vanilla pudding mix
- 2 cups cold whole milk
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups vanilla wafer cookies
- 3 ripe bananas, sliced
- 1 cup whipped cream
Directions
- Add pudding mix and milk to a large bowl. Whisk until well combined and the mixture starts to thicken.
- Once pudding has thickened, add the vanilla extract. Whisk until the vanilla is fully incorporated.
- In individual cups, layer a scoop of pudding, wafer cookies (reserve 6 for garnish), and sliced bananas. Repeat until all 6 cups are full.
- Chill assembled cups for at least 30 minutes.
- Once chilled, top the cups with whipped cream and a wafer cookie garnish. Serve immediately.
Nutrition
| Calories per Serving | 272 |
| Total Fat | 8.4 g |
| Saturated Fat | 3.9 g |
| Trans Fat | 0.0 |
| Cholesterol | 15.7 mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 45.4 g |
| Dietary Fiber | 1.8 g |
| Total Sugars | 27.2 g |
| Sodium | 319.0 mg |
| Protein | 4.2 g |
