Easy Southern Banana Pudding
A creamy and dreamy dessert featuring layers of ripe bananas, vanilla pudding, whipped cream, and crunchy vanilla wafers.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2-3 pieces ripe bananas Choose ripe but firm bananas for best flavor.
- 1 5-ounce box instant vanilla pudding mix
- 2 cups milk
- 8 ounces whipped topping (thawed)
- 1 cup vanilla wafers
- optional fresh banana slices for garnish For added presentation.
Instructions
Preparation
- In a mixing bowl, combine the instant vanilla pudding mix with the milk. Whisk it together until smooth and let it sit for about 5 minutes to thicken.
- In a large serving dish, arrange a layer of vanilla wafers on the bottom. Follow this with a layer of sliced bananas.
- Spoon half of the prepared pudding mix over the bananas and wafers, ensuring even coverage.
- Add another layer of vanilla wafers, a second layer of banana slices, and then top it with the remaining pudding mix.
- Gently spread the whipped topping on top for a delightful finishing touch.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 2-4 hours, or until ready to serve. The longer it chills, the better the flavors meld together.
Notes
For maximum flavor, use ripe bananas that are not overly brown. Prepare pudding just before assembly to keep wafers from becoming soggy. Experiment with your layers; consider adding crushed cookies or chopped nuts for extra crunch.