If you’ve ever strolled down the bustling streets of Manhattan, the sweet, irresistible aroma wafting from Magnolia Bakery might have stopped you in your tracks. Now, you can recreate that iconic flavor right at home with Magnolia Bakery’s Famous Banana Pudding: A Classic Dessert Everyone Will Love. Creamy, dreamy, and loaded with comforting layers of silky pudding, ripe bananas, and classic vanilla wafers, this beloved recipe is the ultimate crowd-pleaser for every occasion. It’s pure nostalgia in a bowl, and best of all, it comes together effortlessly—no oven required!
Ingredients You’ll Need
-
Sweetened Condensed Milk Mixture:
- 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
- 1 1/2 cups ice-cold water
- 1 box (3.4 oz) instant vanilla pudding mix
Whipped Cream:
- 3 cups heavy cream
- 1 box (11 oz) Nilla Wafers
- 4–5 ripe bananas, sliced
- Extra wafers or banana slices for garnish (optional)
Assembly:
How to Make Magnolia Bakery’s Famous Banana Pudding: A Classic Dessert Everyone Will Love
Step 1: Whisk and Set the Pudding Base
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the sweetened condensed milk and ice-cold water until fully combined. Sprinkle in the instant vanilla pudding mix and continue whisking for about 2 minutes, ensuring there are no lumps and the mixture is smooth. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 4 hours (overnight is even better!) until the pudding is thick and completely set—this wait is worth it.
Step 2: Whip the Cream
As your pudding is chilling and thickening, pour the heavy cream into a separate large bowl. Using a stand mixer or handheld beater, whip the cream until stiff peaks form—meaning it holds its shape when you lift the beater. This creates that lush, cloud-like texture Magnolia Bakery’s Famous Banana Pudding: A Classic Dessert Everyone Will Love is famous for.
Step 3: Gently Combine
Once the pudding base is fully set, use a spatula to gently fold the whipped cream into the pudding. Take your time! Work carefully until you no longer see streaks, keeping everything light and airy, which is key for the signature mousse-like consistency.
Step 4: Layer the Goodness
Begin by placing a generous layer of Nilla Wafers at the bottom of your trifle dish or 9×13-inch pan. Follow with a layer of sliced bananas for natural sweetness, then spread a thick layer of your creamy pudding mixture over the top. Repeat these layers two more times—wafers, bananas, pudding—ending with a smooth layer of pudding. You’ll see gorgeous, old-fashioned stripes at the end!
Step 5: Chill and Meld
Cover the assembled dessert and refrigerate for another 4 to 6 hours (or overnight) before serving. This crucial step lets the flavors blend beautifully, and the wafers soften into almost cake-like layers that taste just like the bakery classic.
Step 6: Garnish and Enjoy
Right before serving, sprinkle on a handful of crushed Nilla Wafers or adorn with freshly sliced bananas. Then, grab your biggest spoon and get ready for pure banana pudding bliss!
How to Serve Magnolia Bakery’s Famous Banana Pudding: A Classic Dessert Everyone Will Love
Garnishes
The finishing touches make this dessert extra memorable. Crushed Nilla Wafers add a fun crunch, while a few banana coins on top bring color and fresh appeal. Feeling fancy? A dollop of lightly sweetened whipped cream or a drizzle of caramel can give your banana pudding an elegant upgrade.
Side Dishes
Magnolia Bakery’s Famous Banana Pudding: A Classic Dessert Everyone Will Love is a star all on its own, but it pairs beautifully with a hot cup of coffee or a cool glass of milk. For a special brunch or party, you could serve it alongside a platter of fresh berries or a simple citrus salad to balance the richness.
Creative Ways to Present
This pudding is a showstopper when layered in a big trifle dish, but you can easily portion it into mason jars or cute cups for an individual treat. These ready-to-go servings are perfect for picnics, potlucks, or lunchbox surprises. Don’t forget clear cups, so everyone can admire the pretty, nostalgic layers!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you’re lucky enough to have banana pudding left over, store it covered in the refrigerator. It’s best enjoyed within 48 hours, as the bananas may start to brown and the wafers could get a bit too soft after that point. Enjoy a chilled scoop for breakfast (we won’t judge!) or a midnight snack.
Freezing
While freezing Magnolia Bakery’s Famous Banana Pudding: A Classic Dessert Everyone Will Love isn’t recommended due to the bananas and whipped cream, you can freeze the assembled pudding if you must. Just know that the texture may change upon thawing—expect softer wafers and watery cream. For best results, enjoy it fresh from the fridge.
Reheating
Lucky for all of us, no reheating is necessary! This classic dessert is at its absolute best when served cold from the refrigerator. If stored for a while, simply give it a gentle stir to recombine any separated cream, then dish up and dig in.
FAQs
Can I use homemade pudding instead of instant pudding mix?
You certainly can use homemade vanilla pudding if you prefer, but the classic flavor and texture comes from using instant pudding, just like at Magnolia Bakery. If you go homemade, make sure it’s thick and chilled before folding in the whipped cream.
How do I keep the bananas from turning brown?
Slice the bananas just before layering to keep them as fresh as possible, and fully cover them with pudding each time. Some people also toss the banana slices in a tiny bit of lemon juice to slow browning, though this can impact flavor.
Can Magnolia Bakery’s Famous Banana Pudding: A Classic Dessert Everyone Will Love be made dairy-free?
Yes, with a few swaps! Use sweetened condensed coconut milk, a dairy-free instant vanilla pudding mix, and coconut cream in place of heavy cream. The flavor will be slightly different, but still delicious and creamy!
Is this dessert gluten-free?
The original recipe is not gluten-free because of the Nilla Wafers, but you can substitute with your favorite gluten-free vanilla cookies for a great alternative.
What’s the best way to transport this dessert?
Assemble your banana pudding in a trifle dish with a tight-sealing lid, or portion into individual cups with covers for easy travel. Keep it chilled in a cooler bag until ready to serve for maximum freshness.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve ever craved true comfort in dessert form, Magnolia Bakery’s Famous Banana Pudding: A Classic Dessert Everyone Will Love is just the treat to bring smiles and sweet nostalgia to your table. With simple ingredients, a handful of easy steps, and layers of bakery magic, it’s always a favorite for family, friends, and every banana lover you know. Give it a go, and you may just find yourself making this crowd-pleaser again and again!
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Magnolia Bakery’s Famous Banana Pudding: A Classic Dessert Everyone Will Love Recipe
- Total Time: 4 hours 20 minutes (includes chilling)
- Yield: 10–12 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the creamy, dreamy goodness of Magnolia Bakery’s Famous Banana Pudding. This classic dessert combines layers of vanilla pudding, fresh bananas, and Nilla Wafers for a delightful treat that everyone will love.
Ingredients
Sweetened Condensed Milk Mixture:
- 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
- 1 1/2 cups ice-cold water
- 1 box (3.4 oz) instant vanilla pudding mix
Whipped Cream:
- 3 cups heavy cream
- 1 box (11 oz) Nilla Wafers
- 4–5 ripe bananas, sliced
- Extra wafers or banana slices for garnish (optional)
Assembly:
Instructions
- Mix Sweetened Condensed Milk: In a large bowl, whisk together sweetened condensed milk and cold water. Add pudding mix, whisk for 2 minutes until smooth. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours.
- Whip Cream: In another bowl, whip heavy cream to stiff peaks. Gently fold cream into chilled pudding mixture.
- Assemble Layers: Layer Nilla Wafers, sliced bananas, and pudding in a dish. Repeat layers. Refrigerate for 4–6 hours.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish with wafers or banana slices before serving.
Notes
- Best consumed within 48 hours for optimal texture.
- Individual servings in jars are great for parties.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 370
- Sugar: 28g
- Sodium: 190mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
