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The Best Banana Pudding Recipe

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3.9 from 1 review

This Best Banana Pudding recipe is a creamy, no-bake dessert combining smooth cream cheese, sweetened condensed milk, instant vanilla pudding, fresh bananas, and classic Nilla wafers. Layered to perfection and chilled until set, it’s a quick and delightful treat perfect for any occasion.

Ingredients

Pudding Base

  • 8 ounce block cream cheese, softened to room temperature
  • 14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk
  • 5 ounce package instant vanilla pudding mix
  • 3 cups milk (2% or higher)
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Other Ingredients

  • 8 ounce tub whipped topping (COOL WHIP), thawed (divided use)
  • 11 ounce box Nilla wafers (divided use)
  • 5–7 bananas, peeled and sliced (divided use)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Cream Cheese Mixture: In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth and fluffy, ensuring no lumps remain.
  2. Mix Pudding Ingredients: Add the sweetened condensed milk, instant vanilla pudding mix, 3 cups of milk, and 2 teaspoons vanilla extract to the cream cheese. Mix everything together until well combined and smooth.
  3. Incorporate Whipped Topping: Gently fold in half of the thawed whipped topping into the pudding mixture, blending until evenly distributed and creamy.
  4. Layer the Pudding: In a trifle dish, large bowl, or 9×13-inch baking dish, start by placing one-third of the Nilla wafers as a bottom layer.
  5. Add Bananas: Arrange a single layer of sliced bananas over the wafers.
  6. Pour Pudding: Pour one-third of the prepared pudding mixture over the bananas, spreading to cover evenly.
  7. Repeat Layers: Repeat layering two more times with the remaining wafers, bananas, and pudding, finishing with the pudding layer.
  8. Top with Whipped Topping: Spread the remaining whipped topping evenly over the top of the final pudding layer as a garnish.
  9. Chill: Cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 to 2 hours so the pudding thickens and the Nilla wafers soften.
  10. Serve: Once chilled and set, serve the banana pudding cold as a delicious dessert.

Notes

  • Use ripe but firm bananas to prevent them from turning mushy too quickly.
  • Make sure cream cheese is fully softened for a smooth pudding base.
  • For best results, prepare the pudding a few hours in advance to allow layers to meld and wafers to soften properly.
  • Leftover banana pudding can be refrigerated for up to 2 days but may become softer over time.
  • Feel free to swap out the 2% milk for whole milk for a richer pudding texture.

Find it online: http://bitezly.com/the-best-banana-pudding-recipe-2/