Description
Old Fashioned Southern Banana Pudding is a creamy, nostalgic dessert layered with vanilla pudding, ripe bananas, and soft vanilla wafers for the ultimate easy recipe. It is one of those classic dessert ideas that works beautifully for potlucks, holiday tables, family gatherings, and make-ahead food ideas when you want a simple Southern favorite everyone will love.
Ingredients
2 boxes instant vanilla pudding mix
3 cups cold milk
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups heavy whipping cream
5 bananas, sliced
1 box vanilla wafers
Instructions
1. In a large bowl, whisk the instant vanilla pudding mix with the cold milk until smooth and slightly thickened.
2. Stir in the sweetened condensed milk and vanilla extract until fully combined.
3. In a separate bowl, whip the heavy cream until soft to medium peaks form.
4. Gently fold the whipped cream into the pudding mixture until light and fluffy.
5. Slice the bananas into even rounds just before assembling.
6. In a trifle dish or 9×13-inch dish, add a layer of vanilla wafers on the bottom.
7. Add a layer of banana slices over the wafers.
8. Spread a layer of the pudding mixture over the bananas.
9. Repeat the layers until all ingredients are used, finishing with pudding on top.
10. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight for the best texture.
11. Top with extra crushed vanilla wafers or whipped cream before serving, if desired.
Notes
Use bananas that are ripe and sweet but still firm enough to slice neatly.
Let the pudding chill long enough so the wafers soften into that classic old-fashioned texture.
For the prettiest finish, garnish with extra wafers and banana slices right before serving.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: Southern American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 32g
- Sodium: 310mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
Keywords: old fashioned southern banana pudding, banana pudding, easy dessert, no bake dessert, southern dessert, pudding dessert, potluck dessert, holiday dessert, family dessert, classic banana pudding