Quick & Easy Ina Garten Banana Pudding Recipe That’s Irresistible

Banana pudding represents a classic Southern comfort dessert that captures nostalgic memories of family gatherings and sweet moments.

Layers of rich, silky goodness create a delightful texture that melts smoothly on your tongue.

Soft, ripe bananas nestled between creamy pudding and crisp cookies transform an ordinary treat into something extraordinary.

Each spoonful promises a harmonious blend of flavors that dance between sweet and subtle.

The dessert combines simple ingredients in a way that elevates home cooking to an art form.

Soft peaks of whipped cream and delicate cookie crumbles add depth and complexity to this timeless recipe: dive in and savor every delectable bite.

Why Ina Garten’s Banana Pudding is the Ultimate Comfort Dessert

• Whip Up Effortless Comfort: This banana pudding recipe delivers classic Southern dessert magic with minimal kitchen effort, making it perfect for home cooks who want delicious results without complicated techniques.
• Indulge in Creamy Texture Bliss: The combination of instant pudding, condensed milk, and whipped cream creates a luxuriously smooth and rich dessert that melts perfectly in your mouth, offering a dreamy and decadent eating experience.
• Create Nostalgic Layered Delight: The strategic layering of vanilla wafers, fresh bananas, and creamy pudding mixture produces a visually stunning dessert that triggers childhood memories and provides a delightful balance of flavors and textures in every single bite.
• Prepare Make-Ahead Magic: With only two hours of chilling time, this dessert can be prepared in advance, making it an ideal option for stress-free entertaining, potlucks, family gatherings, or when you want a sweet treat without last-minute kitchen chaos.

Ingredients for Ina Garten’s Banana Pudding

• Instant Vanilla Pudding Mix: Essential for creating a smooth, creamy pudding foundation with rich vanilla flavor.
• Cold Milk: Helps activate and thicken the pudding mix, providing the base liquid for the dessert.
• Sweetened Condensed Milk: Adds extra sweetness and creates a luxurious, silky texture to the pudding.

• Heavy Whipping Cream: Creates a light, airy topping that adds richness and elegance to the dessert.
• Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and stabilizes the whipped cream, giving it a smooth, fluffy consistency.

• Vanilla Wafers: Classic cookie that provides a crunchy texture and traditional banana pudding base.
• Bananas: Fresh, ripe fruit that adds natural sweetness and creamy texture to the dessert, best when just turning yellow with a few brown spots.

How to Make Ina Garten’s Banana Pudding

Step 1: Prepare Pudding Base

Grab a large mixing bowl and whisk together instant vanilla pudding mix with of cold milk. Beat vigorously for 2 minutes until the mixture becomes smooth and thick.

Step 2: Enhance Pudding Mixture

Add 1 can of sweetened condensed milk to the pudding. Mix thoroughly until completely blended.

Step 3: Whip Cream

In a separate clean bowl, whip of heavy whipping cream until stiff peaks form. Gently fold whipped cream into the pudding mixture, being careful not to deflate the cream.

Step 4: Create Sweetened Topping

Stir of powdered sugar into the remaining whipped cream. Refrigerate until ready to use.

Step 5: Start Layering Base

• Vanilla wafers
• Sliced ripe bananas

Step 6: Build Pudding Layers

• Pudding mixture
• Vanilla wafers
• Sliced bananas

Repeat layers 3-4 times, ending with pudding on top.

Step 7: Finish and Chill

Top the final layer with the sweetened whipped cream. Garnish with additional vanilla wafers or banana slices if desired. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours to allow flavors to meld and pudding to set completely.

Pro Tips for Ina Garten’s Banana Pudding

• Elevate Banana Texture: Slice bananas just before assembling to maintain their firm, golden-white appearance and prevent premature softening or browning.
• Customize Wafer Crunch: Lightly toast vanilla wafers in the oven for 2-3 minutes to intensify their buttery flavor and create an extra crispy layer.
• Deepen Dairy Complexity: Warm whole milk with a split vanilla bean during pudding preparation to introduce a more nuanced, aromatic sweetness.
• Balance Sweet Profiles: Sprinkle a pinch of flaky sea salt over each pudding layer to enhance the dessert's overall flavor depth and counteract excessive sweetness.
• Control Whipped Cream Stability: Chill your mixing bowl and whisk beforehand to help whipped cream maintain its fluffy texture and prevent liquid separation.

How to Store Ina Garten’s Banana Pudding

• Layered Storage Method: Carefully separate banana pudding layers with plastic wrap to prevent flavor mixing and texture degradation. Press wrap directly against pudding surface to minimize air exposure and maintain creamy consistency.
• Portion Control Strategy: Divide pudding into individual serving containers before refrigerating. Small portions preserve texture, reduce moisture buildup, and make grab-and-go snacking easier throughout the week.
• Temperature Preservation Technique: Keep pudding at consistent 40°F in refrigerator's coldest section, typically back shelf away from door. Shield dessert from temperature fluctuations that could compromise delicate banana cream structure and potentially accelerate ingredient breakdown.

Delicious Variations on Ina Garten’s Banana Pudding

• Tropical Banana Bliss: Swap vanilla wafers with coconut cookies and add a sprinkle of toasted coconut flakes on top for a tropical-inspired version that transports you to a beachy paradise.
• Chocolate Banana Dream: Mix cocoa powder into the pudding base and use chocolate wafers instead of vanilla ones, creating a rich chocolate-banana combination that chocolate lovers will adore.
• Caramel Banana Crunch: Drizzle caramel sauce between layers and sprinkle chopped pecans on top for a decadent dessert with added texture and nutty warmth that elevates the classic recipe.
• Spiced Banana Comfort: Incorporate a pinch of cinnamon and nutmeg into the pudding mix, using gingersnap cookies as the base layer to create a warm, spiced version perfect for cozy evenings.

Ina Garten’s Banana Pudding: A Classic, Creamy Delight

Classic Southern banana pudding becomes pure magic through Ina Garten’s refined approach.

Creamy layers blend nostalgic comfort with gourmet sophistication.

Her recipe transforms simple ingredients into an elegant dessert experience.

Silky pudding, ripe bananas, and crisp wafers create delightful texture contrasts.

Chilled perfection awaits anyone seeking sweet indulgence.

Grab your spoon, share this delectable creation with friends, and watch smiles bloom across eager faces – tag friends, spread dessert love, comment below with your pudding memories!

Ina Garten Banana Pudding Recipe

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4.6 from 38 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s classic banana pudding delivers Southern comfort with creamy vanilla custard layered between ripe bananas and crisp vanilla wafers. Rich, nostalgic flavors blend seamlessly, inviting you to savor each spoonful of this beloved dessert that brings warmth and sweetness to any gathering.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 4 fresh bananas
• 1 11 ounces (311 grams) vanilla wafers

Dairy and Cream Components:

• 2 cups (480 milliliters) heavy whipping cream
• 2 cups (480 milliliters) cold milk
• 1 14 ounces (397 grams) sweetened condensed milk
• 2 (3.4 ounces or 96 grams each) instant vanilla pudding packages
• 3 tablespoons powdered sugar

Flavor Enhancers:

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Whisk the instant vanilla pudding mix with cold milk (236 milliliters or 8 fluid ounces) in a spacious mixing bowl, creating a smooth and thickened consistency through continuous beating.
2. Incorporate the sweetened condensed milk into the pudding mixture, blending thoroughly until perfectly integrated and uniform.
3. In a separate chilled bowl, vigorously whip the heavy whipping cream (236 milliliters or 8 fluid ounces) until stiff, stable peaks emerge, indicating optimal volume and texture.
4. Gently fold approximately two-thirds of the whipped cream into the pudding base, using delicate circular motions to maintain the cream’s airy structure without deflating its volume.
5. Blend the powdered sugar into the remaining whipped cream, creating a luxurious sweetened topping, and temporarily store in the refrigerator.
6. Create the first foundation layer by carefully positioning vanilla wafers across the bottom of the serving dish, ensuring complete and even coverage.
7. Arrange a uniform layer of fresh banana slices directly atop the wafer foundation, guaranteeing complete surface distribution.
8. Delicately spoon the prepared pudding mixture over the banana layer, spreading evenly to create a smooth surface.
9. Repeat the layering sequence: wafers, bananas, and pudding mixture, continuing until all ingredients are utilized, typically resulting in three to four distinct layers.
10. Crown the dessert with the reserved sweetened whipped cream, creating an elegant and inviting presentation.
11. Refrigerate the completed dessert for a minimum of two hours, allowing flavors to meld and the pudding to set perfectly before serving.

Notes

• Southern hospitality shines through in this beloved dessert that turns simple ingredients into a crowd-pleasing masterpiece.
• Layering ingredients with care creates a stunning visual and taste experience that celebrates classic comfort food.
• Refrigeration transforms basic components into a decadent treat with deep, harmonious flavor profiles.
• Minimal kitchen skills required, making this dessert accessible for bakers of all experience levels.
• Versatile recipe welcomes creative twists and personal touches that make each batch unique and memorable.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 430 kcal
• Sugar: 31 g
• Sodium: 180 mg
• Fat: 29 g
• Saturated Fat: 17 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 42 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg