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Magnolia Bakery Banana Pudding

Magnolia Bakery Banana Pudding - recipe card
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A luscious, no-bake dessert featuring layers of creamy vanilla pudding, ripe bananas, and crisp Nilla wafers that soften into a cake-like texture when chilled. Topped with homemade whipped cream, this Southern classic delivers the perfect balance of sweet, silky, and crunchy elements in every spoonful.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, cut into pieces
  • 2 medium ripe bananas, sliced into 1/4-inch rounds
  • 1 cup (about 40) Nilla wafer cookies
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream, cold
  • 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract (for whipped cream)

Instructions

  1. In a medium heavy-bottomed saucepan, whisk together the sugar, flour, and salt until thoroughly combined. This dry base ensures the pudding thickens evenly without lumps.
  2. In a separate small bowl, whisk the egg and whole milk until smooth and uniform. Tempering the egg mixture later prevents it from scrambling when added to the hot saucepan.
  3. Gradually pour the egg-milk mixture into the saucepan with the dry ingredients, whisking constantly to create a smooth slurry. Make sure no dry pockets remain at the bottom.
  4. Place the saucepan over medium heat and cook, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon or heatproof spatula. Use a figure-eight motion to scrape the bottom and corners to prevent scorching. Continue until the mixture thickens and begins to bubble at the edges, about 6-8 minutes. The pudding should coat the back of the spoon and leave a clear trail when you run your finger through it.
  5. Immediately remove the pan from heat. Add the vanilla extract and butter pieces, stirring until the butter melts fully and the pudding is glossy and smooth. The residual heat will incorporate the butter without affecting the texture.
  6. Transfer the pudding to a clean bowl and press a piece of plastic wrap directly onto the surface to prevent a skin from forming. Let it cool at room temperature for 20 minutes, then set aside. The pudding will continue to thicken as it cools.
  7. While the pudding cools, slice the bananas into uniform 1/4-inch rounds. Avoid slicing too thin or they will turn mushy; too thick and they won’t soften properly during chilling.
  8. Begin layering in a 1-quart serving dish or four individual 8-ounce cups. Start with a single layer of Nilla wafers (about 10 per layer), then a layer of banana slices, then a generous layer of pudding (about 1/3 of the total). Repeat until all ingredients are used, finishing with a final pudding layer on top.
  9. For the whipped cream: In a chilled bowl, combine the cold heavy cream, powdered sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla. Using a hand mixer or whisk, beat on medium-high speed until soft peaks form that hold their shape but are still luscious, about 2-3 minutes. Do not overbeat or the cream will turn grainy.
  10. Spread or pipe the whipped cream evenly over the top pudding layer. Cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap or a lid.
  11. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours, but ideally overnight (12-24 hours). This resting time allows the wafers to absorb moisture and transform into a soft, cake-like consistency while the flavors meld together. Serve chilled.

Notes

Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The bananas will darken slightly but flavor remains good. Do not freeze; defrosted pudding becomes watery and wafers turn mushy. If preparing in advance, assemble the pudding and whipped cream separately, then top with cream just before serving to maintain the best texture. For a dairy-free version, substitute whole milk with oat milk, butter with vegan butter, and use coconut cream for topping, though the texture will be less rich.

Nutrition

Keywords: banana pudding, Magnolia Bakery recipe, Southern dessert, no-bake pudding, vanilla pudding, Nilla wafers, layered banana dessert, classic American pudding, easy banana pudding, whipped cream dessert, comfort food, banana dessert

Find it online: https://copycatkitchenco.com/magnolia-bakery-banana-pudding/