Best Banana Pudding Ever

🍌 Best Banana Pudding Ever (Creamy & Layered Perfection)

Classic Southern-style banana pudding — layers of sweet vanilla pudding, ripe bananas, and buttery Nilla wafers, topped with whipped cream or meringue.

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🛒 Ingredients (Serves 6–8)

Pudding Layer:

• 1 cup sugar

• ¼ cup cornstarch

• Pinch of salt

• 3 cups whole milk

• 4 large egg yolks

• 2 tsp vanilla extract

• 2 tbsp butter

Other Layers:

• 4–5 ripe bananas, sliced

• 1 box Nilla wafers (or similar vanilla cookies)

• 1 cup heavy cream, whipped to soft peaks (or 1 tub of whipped topping)

Optional: toasted meringue topping

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👩‍🍳 Instructions

1️⃣ Make the Pudding

1. In a saucepan, whisk sugar, cornstarch, and salt.

2. Gradually add milk, whisking until smooth.

3. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture thickens and bubbles.

4. Temper egg yolks: add a little hot mixture to yolks, whisk, then return to pan.

5. Cook 1–2 more minutes, then remove from heat.

6. Stir in butter and vanilla. Let cool slightly.

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2️⃣ Assemble the Banana Pudding

1. Spread a thin layer of pudding in a 9×13-inch dish.

2. Layer Nilla wafers on top.

3. Add a layer of banana slices.

4. Spread more pudding over bananas.

5. Repeat layers until ingredients are used, finishing with pudding on top.

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3️⃣ Top and Chill

• Spread whipped cream over the top.

• Optional: broil meringue for 1–2 minutes until lightly browned.

• Chill at least 2–3 hours (overnight is best) so flavors meld and wafers soften.

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💡 Pro Tips

• Use ripe but firm bananas to avoid mushiness.

• Layer lightly so pudding doesn’t get too thick.

• Nilla wafers soften as pudding chills, giving that iconic creamy texture.

• For extra flavor: add a splash of banana liqueur or rum to pudding.

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If you want, I can also give you:

• Mini banana pudding parfaits for parties

• Banana pudding cake version

• No-cook banana pudding for quick prep

• Or a vegan/dairy-free version 🍌✨