Layered Banana Pudding Recipe (From Scratch)

Make this famous Magnolia bakery’s Banana Pudding Recipe with easy step-by-step instructions. I tasted this banana pudding for the first time at Magnolia Bakery’s location in Washington DC, Union Station.

My family and I were traveling for sightseeing and saw the big queue outside the bakery. So we decided to visit and see what makes Magnolia Bakery so great. This is how we discovered New York’s famous banana pudding.

And I have just fallen in love with this classic banana pudding. I decided to make it at home as Magnolia Bakery is not available in Canada 😕.

Why is this my favorite banana pudding?

1. Easily customizable.
2. Quick, east and delicious.
3. Ideal banana dessert.
4. Kid-friendly recipe.
5. Crowd pleasure.

How to make layered banana pudding recipe?

This southern classic banana pudding is made from scratch and is enough for two.

It is a simple 2 steps process; make the pudding base (vanilla pudding + whipped cream), and then layer the pudding with vanilla pudding base, nilla wafers, and bananas.

You can easily double or triple the recipe if you want to serve a large crowd or simply halve the recipe if you want to prepare a small batch.

Sr. No.	Steps
1.	Make the pudding base by mixing vanilla pudding and whipped cream.
2.	Assemble the pudding with vanilla wafers, banana slices, and pudding mixture.

Ingredients for banana pudding recipe

Here is the list of ingredients to make easy, simple, and yummy banana pudding. Check out the recipe card below for an entire list of ingredients and quantities.

1. Heavy whipping cream – Use 35% heavy whipping cream. Stay away from half-n-half or low fat whipping cream. To whip to the proper volume, make sure that the whipping cream and the mixing bowl are chilled. Alternatively, you can use a cool whip.

2. Icing sugar – This can be found in grocery stores as confectioners sugar or icing sugar. You can use it or make your homemade icing sugar.

3. Vanilla extract – Use either pure vanilla extract or vanilla imitation, depending on what you prefer. I suggest using pure vanilla extract in this pudding recipe for a rich vanilla flavor.

4. Vanilla pudding – This is the base of our recipe and nothing beats the homemade vanilla pudding. Alternatively, you can also prepare the pudding from instant vanilla jello pudding mix. You can easily get it at any grocery store.

5. Vanilla wafers – Nilla wafers are mostly found in banana pudding recipes. I have prepared it multiple times using the same wafers. You can buy it at the grocery store or make it at home. It is also available on Amazon.

6. Banana – As the name suggests, this is the star ingredient in our recipe. Make sure the bananas are not overripe. Bananas should be slightly green at the stem and firm from the outside.

Toppings

• Whipped cream – You can use store-bought whipped cream or make your own homemade whipped cream. You can also use a cool whip but keep in mind that it is slightly softer than whipped cream.

• Vanilla wafers – These are the same ones we used for layering. Alternatively, you can use different toppings to create different possibilities.

Any substitute?

• Vanilla wafers – To be honest, vanilla wafers taste best with this pudding and are widely used in banana pudding. But if it is not available, then I recommend a plain shortbread cookie.

• Whipped cream – You can use homemade whipped cream or store-bought cool-whip as an alternative.

Required tools

Here are some basic tools you will need to make the ultimate banana pudding recipe.

1. Mixing bowls
2. Measuring spoons
3. Measuring cups
4. Weighing scale
5. Serving jar (I have used Mason jars here)
6. Hand beater

Banana pudding step-by-step recipe

1. In a mixing bowl, add the heavy whipping cream, icing sugar, and vanilla extract. Start beating until it is still peaked. Make sure you use chilled whipping cream and a chilled bowl to whip it to its full volume.

Note : You can also use store-bought whipped cream or Cool Whip as an alternative.

2. Take vanilla pudding in another bowl and start beating until it is smooth. Add in the whipped cream from step 1 and start beating. Do not overmix at this point; instead, whisk till it is just mixed together to make fluffy banana pudding. Scrape down the bowl with a rubber spatula as needed.

Note : Use a hand beater at low speed to avoid overbeating.

3. In a mason jar, add the first layer of crushed nilla wafers followed by vanilla pudding plus whipped cream mixture and banana.

4. Repeat the layers a couple of times.

5. Sprinkle some crushed wafers on the top.

6. Garnish with whipped cream, crushed wafers, and one piece of Nilla wafers.

7. Enjoy!

Want to see how I prepare it?

Banana pudding variations

You can customize this classic banana pudding recipe by adding any of the ingredients mentioned below.

1. Nutella banana pudding – Swirl 2 teaspoons of Nutella in banana pudding mixture before layering it. Decorate with whipping cream and Nutella just before serving.

2. Chocolate banana pudding – Add about 2 teaspoons of cocoa powder or melted chocolate in vanilla pudding mixture and then use it while layering. You can also use my chocolate pudding, add the whipped cream, and use this for layering.

3. Peanut butter and chocolate pudding – Mix 2 teaspoons of peanut butter with 1/4 teaspoon of water. Swirl this with 2 teaspoons of melted chocolate in the vanilla pudding and whipped cream mixture. Decorate with whipped cream and then drizzle with peanut butter and melted chocolate on top. If you want a crunchy version then you can use tiny Reese’s pieces.

4. Red velvet banana pudding – Add 3 tablespoons of red velvet cake crumbs to the pudding mixture before layering. Alternatively, you can add cake crumbs directly between layers. Decorate with whipped cream and cake crumbs.

5. Biscoff banana pudding – This is similar to the Nutella variation mentioned above. Just replace Nutella with an equal amount of smooth biscoff spread. If your biscoff spread is too thick, add 1 teaspoon of water and mix it. Decorate with whipped cream and some biscoff spread on top.

6. Berry banana pudding – Again, similar to the Nutella banana pudding. Just replace Nutella with an equal amount of berry sauce. Decorate with whipped cream and drizzle with berry sauce.

You can tweak the recipe to make so many different variations. Isn’t it great? Did you try any other flavor? Please let me know in the comments below.

Serving suggestions

Banana pudding should be chilled in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours before serving. So, plan ahead of time and make the banana pudding. Please refer to my banana pudding variations which also mention serving ideas for different varieties.

Banana pudding recipe – freezing and storing instructions

Banana pudding needs to be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated for at least 2 hours. I would not recommend freezing the pudding as that will ruin it’s consistency and texture.

The vanilla pudding, which is used as the base for the dish, can be frozen and used after being thawed overnight in the refrigerator.

Storing instructions

Prepare the pudding, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate. It could last up to four days.

Secret tips to make the best banana pudding

• Do not overbeat – To make fluffy banana pudding, do not overbeat whipped cream and vanilla pudding. Whipped cream may split and ruin the banana pudding texture. Beat until it is just combined.

• Use chilled whipping cream – Always use chilled whipping cream as it whips up to its full volume when chilled.

• Decorate before serving – Refrigerate the pudding for at least 2 hours and then decorate just before serving. Many of the different options use whipped cream as a topping and whipped cream will deflate so add just before serving.

• Do not use overripe bananas – Perfect banana pudding is the right balance between vanilla pudding and bananas. Overripe bananas will overpower the vanilla flavor and ruin the banana pudding flavor.

Banana pudding recipe – FAQs

Why is my banana pudding runny? You have either kept it for too long in the refrigerator or you did not cook the vanilla pudding long enough.

What type of bananas should we use for banana pudding? Bananas should be ripe but still firm and green at the stem. Please do not use overripe or black bananas as they will ruin the flavor.

Can i use vanilla pudding mix? Yes, you can use vanilla pudding mix to prepare vanilla pudding which is our base of the recipe but nothing beats the homemade vanilla pudding made from scratch.

How to store the banana pudding? After layering, keep banana pudding in the refrigerator in an air-tight container.

Can I use cool whip? Yes, you can use cool whip as an alternative to whipped cream.

Can I make this ahead of time? Yes. In fact, you should make the banana pudding ahead of time as it needs to be refrigerated for at least 2 hours. So, plan and make it ahead of time.

How do I prevent bananas from browning? There are two ways that prevent bananas from browning. First, coat them with a little bit of lemon juice before layering. Second, make it fresh, no more than 6 to 7 hours before serving.

Craving for more?

If you like this pudding, try out my other pudding recipes.

1. Air fryer bread pudding
2. Plain vanilla pudding
3. Chocolate pudding

Did you make it?

Please make this banana pudding and let me know your feedback in the comments below! I honestly love to hear from you, and your feedback is really important to me.

If you post the banana pudding pictures on Instagram, do not forget to tag me. Tag @DessertKatta or use the hashtag #DessertKatta.

Recipe card