Dad’s Favorite Banana Pudding

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Meet my Dad’s Favorite Banana Pudding – the ultimate comfort dessert. Creamy vanilla pudding layered with sweet ripe bananas and soft vanilla wafers that literally melt into the pudding. This is a no-bake treat that’s perfect for parties, BBQs, and potlucks. The secret? Letting those mini wafers get really soft—my family loves them that way, and I think yours will too.

For more nostalgic desserts, check out. my Old-Fashioned Rhubarb Pie, Walnut Snowballs or my Sheet Pan Copycat Cosmic Brownies.

Banana pudding is one of my dad’s favorite desserts, and I love to make this for him. It’s simple, reliable, and always gets scraped clean. I use the mini vanilla wafers because they really melt into the pudding, and my family loves them very squishy!

a serving of banana pudding in a black and white patterned bowl.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

A make-ahead dessert perfect for warm-weather gatherings.
Ultra creamy thanks to whipped cream and sweetened condensed milk.
Straightforward yet delicious: Just like grandma used to make it (maybe even better ? ).

Ingredients Needed

Sweetened Condensed Milk: Adds richness and sweetness so that no additional sugar is needed.
Ice Water: Helps dissolve the pudding and lighten the texture.
Instant Vanilla Pudding Mix: Banana pudding flavor also works well here but we prefer vanilla.
Heavy Cream: Whipped into soft peaks for that light, airy texture.
Ripe Bananas: A must-addition for that iconic flavor. Make sure they’re ripe but not mushy.
Mini Vanilla Wafers: They soften beautifully into the pudding layers. Regular-size wafers are fine too.

How to Make Dad’s Favorite Banana Pudding

This recipe comes together so quickly in just a few simple steps! For the full printable recipe, check out the recipe card at the end of this post.

instant pudding mix being added to condensed milk in a metal bowl.

In a large bowl, beat together the sweetened condensed milk and water until well combined; this is replacing the milk in the vanilla pudding instructions. Add in the packet of pudding mix and mix until everything is well combined. Cover and let sit in the fridge until fully firm. 
In another bowl, whip the heavy cream until stiff peaks form. A hack my mother taught me: if you have a blender, you can make whipped cream in that way faster and no holding the mixer!

little vanilla wafers at the bottom of a metal bowl.

In a large bowl, put 1/3 of the Nilla wafers covering the bottom. Next, layer 1/3 of the bananas, then 1/3 of the pudding mixture. Repeat twice more. Cover and allow to chill in the fridge for at least 4 hours.

banana slices and vanilla wafers at the bottom of a metal bowl.

pudding mix being layered with vanilla wafers and banana slices in a metal bowl.

Helpful Tips

Use ripe bananas: Slightly spotty but still firm bananas have the perfect sweetness and texture for this recipe.
The longer you let your banana pudding chill, the more the wafers will melt into the pudding.
Chill the cream: Cold cream whips faster and holds shape better!
Use your blender to whip cream in under 60 seconds. Yes, it really works. Just make sure you don’t overmix or you’ll end up with butter.

Storage Information

Fridge: Store your pudding covered in the fridge for up to 3 days. The lawyers will be prettiest during the first 24 hours.

Make Ahead: You can make it the night before to save time and enhance the texture and flavor!

Not Freezer-Friendly: Bananas will turn brown and the whipped cream will not hold up well once frozen so this recipe is best enjoyed fresh or refrigerated.

Serving Suggestions

Feeding a crowd? Serve this in a trifle bowl for a stunning presentation.
Add sliced bananas, crushed wafers or a dollop of whipped cream on top just before serving.
Arrange in individual mason jars for cute, portable treats. Perfect for picnics and potlucks.

Variations

Peanut Butter Lover’s Edition: Add ¼ cup of peanut butter to the pudding mixture before folding in the cream.
Drizzle a little chocolate syrup or salted caramel sauce between the layers for extra indulgence.
Strawberry-Banana Pudding: Add a layer of sliced strawberries for a fruity twist. Blueberries would also be nice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Cool Whip instead of homemade whipped cream?

Yes, you can. One 8-ounce container of Cool Whip can be used in place of the whipped cream for a shortcut. Note that Cool Whip contains high-fructose corn syrup so it will be sweeter.

How do I keep my bananas from browning?

If you want to minimize the risk of browning, you will want to place the bananas closer towards the center of the dish to ensure they’re fully covered by pudding. Then chill quickly. You can also lightly toss slices in lemon juice, but that will affect the flavor of your dessert.

Can I make this banana pudding dairy-free?

I have not tried this, but I imagine you can make this using dairy-free sweetened condensed milk for the pudding and whipped topping instead of homemade whipped cream.

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