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Banana Pudding

5 from 1 vote
Gavin CrispBy Gavin Crisp
Gavin Crisp
Gavin Crisp Food Writer and Editor

Gavin is a writer/editor who makes a point of exploring both the finest and not-so-finest dining establishments during his global travels. Armed with his trusty laptop with which he writes of his e…

Expertise: Bartending and hospitality for 14 years View all posts →
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This creamy, dreamy banana pudding recipe is the closest thing to Magnolia Bakery you can get without having to leave the house.

Banana pudding dessert with whipped cream and toasted cookie crumbs, served in a glass bowl.

If you’ve never been to Magnolia Bakery, let me tell you, you are in for a treat. And if you have been, you already know how great this dessert is going to be. They’re well known for their delicious, creamy banana pudding that tastes like heaven in a cup. This recipe is inspired by Magnolia Bakery, but I’ve opted to make it a little more decorative.

This banana pudding recipe is the one you will want to whip out for parties or gatherings because it’s just so pretty. Be sure to invest in a glass bowl, because this pudding is layered like a trifle for a beautiful dessert you’ll hesitate to eat, it looks that good. But when you do have a taste, you’ll be transported to Magnolia Bakery itself.

Fresh banana pudding ingredients with cookies, bananas, milk, vanilla, and pudding mix.

Why You Will Love This Recipe

  • This is by far the easiest (and most impressive) pudding you will ever make.
  • The bananas are such a delicious flavor in the pudding, and it tastes authentic because the bananas are fresh.
  • Bring this banana pudding to a party or serve it when you have guests over and you’ll be sure to wow a crowd.
  • It takes only 20 minutes for this dessert to come together.
Sliced bananas being cut on a wooden cutting board with a small knife.

Magnolia Bakery Banana Pudding

The original Magnolia Bakery was opened in New York City by Jennifer Appel and Allysa Torey in 1996. Since then, they’ve become world famous for their cupcakes and banana pudding. Bananas, wafers, and vanilla pudding are the staple ingredients in a Magnolia Bakery banana pudding, and I’ve paid homage to it by replicating these ingredients. Today, the bakery can be found in New York, California, and Illinois, as well as other locations around the globe. If you aren’t anywhere near a Magnolia Bakery, you can order their prized banana pudding, but I recommend you try this one first.

Variations

Like most desserts, this one is easy to amend to suit your tastes. If you aren’t the biggest fan of bananas, you can swap them out for another fruit. Raspberries, strawberries, or pineapple are delicious (but it will no longer be a banana pudding). Feel free to change the flavor of the pudding as well, and top with crumbled Oreos or chocolate chip cookies instead of vanilla wafers. What you do with this banana pudding is completely up to you!

Can I use custard instead of instant pudding?

Yes, you can use custard instead. Making your own custard is better than buying from the store, because you can thicken it enough to replicate the texture of the pudding. If you use the boxed custard it will still be delicious, but won’t keep a stable shape.

How to Store Banana Pudding

If you have leftovers, be sure to chill them in the refrigerator immediately, covered tightly in plastic wrap. Do not freeze this dessert. You’ll want to eat the rest of your banana pudding within 2 or 3 days, as the bananas can brown and the layers may break down over time. Remember, your pudding might not look as pretty after a couple of days but it will still taste out of this world!

Banana pudding trifle with vanilla wafers and whipped cream, topped with banana slices and crumbled cookies.
Banana pudding dessert with whipped cream and toasted cookie crumbs, served in a glass bowl.

Banana Pudding

Close-up of a man with short hair and beard, wearing a gray t-shirt, indoors with natural lighting.Gavin Crisp
5 from 1 vote
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes mins
Total Time 20 minutes mins
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 12
Calories 490 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 1 tsp vanilla essence
  • 2 instant vanilla pudding packets 3.4 oz each
  • 14 oz sweetened condensed milk
  • 2 cups whipping cream
  • 3 tbsp powdered sugar
  • 11 oz vanilla wafers
  • 4 fresh bananas

Instructions
 

  • Use a whisk to thoroughly mix the milk, vanilla essence and instant pudding together until there are no lumps. Then, pour in the condensed milk, mix well, and set aside. It will thicken and set while you prepare your other ingredients.
    Creamy vanilla frosting in a stainless steel mixing bowl, ready for baking or decorating cupcakes.
  • In a medium-sized bowl whip the cream and powdered sugar into stiff peaks.
  • When you are ready to assemble your pudding, peel your bananas and slice them into wheels.
    Sliced bananas being cut on a wooden cutting board with a small knife.
  • Start layering the pudding by starting with a quarter of the wafers on the bottom of the bowl, then spread on a quarter of the pudding mix, then a quarter of the bananas, and then some cream. Repeat at least 4 layers in the bowl so that you can see the different layers from the side. Keep it in the fridge until you are ready to serve, then decorate with more banana slices and crumbled wafers, and serve immediately.
    Fresh banana pudding with whipped cream in a glass bowl, sliced bananas on top, on a white marble surface.

Nutrition

Calories: 490kcalCarbohydrates: 61gProtein: 8gFat: 25gSaturated Fat: 14gSodium: 216mgFiber: 1g
Keyword banana pudding, banana pudding recipe, how to make banana pudding, magnolia bakery banana pudding
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Close-up of a man with short hair and beard, wearing a gray t-shirt, indoors with natural lighting.

About Gavin Crisp

Gavin is a writer/editor who makes a point of exploring both the finest and not-so-finest dining establishments during his global travels. Armed with his trusty laptop with which he writes of his experiences, he ventures forth in search of that perfect Manhattan cocktail and the loveliest curry sauce to pour over his fish & chips.

Reader Interactions

Published: Jul 11, 2023 | Updated: Feb 17, 2026
5 from 1 vote

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Recipe Rating




  1. SHARON BASKIN says

    Posted on 5/18 at 4:37 pm

    THIS RECIPE DOESN’T SPECIFY WHAT SIZE PUDDING PACKET TO BUY? JUST SAYS 2 PACKETS. 2 PACKETS OF WHAT?

    Reply
    • Soft baked bread with golden crust on a rustic wooden board, perfect for breakfast or sandwiches.BakedBree says

      Posted on 6/19 at 11:30 am

      Apologies for the misunderstanding! In this recipe, you should use 2 packets of the small (3.4 oz) instant vanilla pudding mix. This will give your banana pudding a delicious, creamy texture. Happy cooking!

      Reply
  2. Beryl says

    Posted on 5/18 at 9:42 pm

    What is vanilla essence and where is it used in the recipe; I’m not seeing it.

    Reply
    • Soft baked bread with golden crust on a rustic wooden board, perfect for breakfast or sandwiches.BakedBree says

      Posted on 6/19 at 11:32 am

      Hey there! In this banana pudding recipe, it’s added to the milk and instant pudding mixture in step 1, I missed it in the original copy, have added it now. It’s easily overlooked, but adding 1 tsp of vanilla essence to the mix enhances the overall taste. Enjoy your delicious pudding!

      Reply
  3. Susan Reynolds says

    Posted on 12/26 at 4:47 am

    5 stars
    I made this for Christmas and it was a big hit! I’ll definitely make this again.

    Reply
    • Fresh-faced woman smiling in front of pink flower wall, casual fall outfit, cozy black jacket and pink top, bright and cheerful ambiance.Anneliese Duprey says

      Posted on 1/3 at 2:04 pm

      So glad to hear you enjoyed this recipe! Thanks for reading and leaving us a review.

      Reply
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