Joanna Gaines’ Cozy Banana Pudding Recipe: A Sweet Family Treat

Joanna Gaines’s banana pudding transforms ordinary ingredients into a spectacular dessert that sparks joy around any gathering.

Southern comfort meets modern simplicity in this crowd-pleasing treat that melts hearts with its nostalgic charm.

Creamy layers intertwine soft fruit and crisp cookies, creating a magical texture that dances across your palate.

Each spoonful carries memories of family kitchens and warm summer afternoons.

Rich and decadent, this dessert speaks a language of pure indulgence without complicated techniques.

Remarkable for its straightforward preparation, this pudding brings people together with minimal effort and maximum satisfaction: dive in and savor every delightful bite!

Why Joanna Gaines’ Banana Pudding Stands Out

• Whip Up a Speedy Comfort Dessert: This banana pudding recipe comes together in just 20 minutes, making it a perfect last-minute treat for busy home cooks who want something deliciously satisfying without spending hours in the kitchen.
• Create Creamy Texture Perfection: The combination of pudding mix, sweetened condensed milk, and whipped topping creates an incredibly smooth and luxurious texture that melts in your mouth, delivering a rich and velvety dessert experience.
• Master Layered Dessert Elegance: The strategic layering of vanilla wafers, fresh banana slices, and creamy pudding mixture creates a visually stunning and texturally exciting dessert that looks as good as it tastes, perfect for impressing guests or family gatherings.
• Enjoy No-Bake Simplicity: With zero baking required and minimal cooking steps, this recipe is beginner-friendly and stress-free, allowing even novice cooks to create a delectable dessert that looks and tastes professionally made.

What You Need for Banana Pudding by Joanna Gaines

• Milk: Provides the liquid base for the creamy pudding.
• Instant Vanilla Pudding Mix: Helps thicken and flavor the pudding mixture.
• Sweetened Condensed Milk: Adds richness and sweetness to the pudding.

• Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor with a warm, sweet note.
• Whipped Topping: Creates a light and fluffy texture in the pudding.

• Vanilla Wafers: Provides a crunchy texture and classic banana pudding base.
• Bananas: Fresh, ripe bananas add natural sweetness and creamy texture.
• Crushed Vanilla Wafers: Offers a final crunch and decorative topping when serving.

Easy Steps to Joanna Gaines’ Banana Pudding

Step 1: Whisk Pudding Base

In a large mixing bowl, combine whole milk and instant vanilla pudding mix. Whisk vigorously for 2 minutes until the mixture thickens and becomes smooth. Slowly pour in sweetened condensed milk, stirring until fully incorporated.

Step 2: Create Creamy Mixture

Add pure vanilla extract to the pudding base. Gently fold in whipped topping, creating a light and airy texture. Mix carefully to maintain the fluffy consistency.

Step 3: Build Delicious Layers

• Vanilla wafer cookies
• Fresh banana slices
• Creamy pudding mixture

Repeat the layering process, ensuring the final top layer is the pudding mixture.

Step 4: Chill and Set

Refrigerate the banana pudding for 1 hour minimum. This resting time allows flavors to blend and the dessert to set perfectly.

Step 5: Add Final Touch

Just before serving, sprinkle crushed vanilla wafers on top for a delightful crunch. Serve chilled and enjoy the creamy, dreamy dessert.

Banana Pudding Tips by Joanna Gaines

• Crunch Boost Technique: Sprinkle extra crushed wafers moments before serving to maintain their crisp texture and add delightful contrast to the creamy pudding.
• Flavor Fusion Strategy: Allow the dessert to rest in the refrigerator overnight, letting the ingredients mingle and intensify their delicious essence.
• Strategic Layering Method: Create even, precise layers by spreading pudding mixture carefully and ensuring consistent distribution of bananas and wafers throughout.
• Banana Selection Hack: Pick perfectly ripe bananas with light brown spots for optimal sweetness and structural integrity in the dessert.
• Timing Optimization Trick: Prepare the pudding in advance, but add fresh toppings just before presenting to guarantee maximum flavor and textural appeal.

Store Joanna Gaines’ Banana Pudding Properly

• Refrigerator Method: Transfer pudding to a sealed glass container with a tight-fitting lid. Glass prevents flavor absorption and maintains pudding's original taste while protecting it from other refrigerator odors.
• Plastic Wrap Technique: Stretch plastic wrap directly onto the pudding's surface, eliminating air exposure. This prevents skin formation and preserves the creamy texture, keeping the dessert smooth and appetizing.
• Temperature Control: Store pudding in the coldest part of the refrigerator, typically the back section. Maintain a consistent temperature between 35-40°F to slow bacterial growth and extend the dessert's shelf life, ensuring maximum freshness for up to 3 days.

Fun Variations of Joanna Gaines’ Banana Pudding

• Tropical Banana Pudding Escape: Replace regular bananas with caramelized plantains for a richer, deeper flavor profile. Add toasted coconut flakes on top for extra crunch and island-inspired sensation.
• Chocolate Banana Dream: Mix in dark chocolate chips into the pudding base. Drizzle melted chocolate between layers and sprinkle cocoa powder on top for an indulgent chocolate lovers' version.
• Nutty Banana Crunch: Incorporate chopped pecans or almonds between layers. Toast the nuts beforehand to enhance their natural oils and create a more intense nutty flavor. Sprinkle additional crushed nuts on the final layer for extra texture.
• Bourbon Banana Comfort: Splash a small amount of bourbon into the pudding mixture for sophisticated adult flavor. Add a hint of cinnamon to complement the bourbon's warmth and create a more complex dessert experience.

Final Scoop of Joanna Gaines’ Banana Pudding

Southern charm meets sweet nostalgia in Joanna Gaines’ banana pudding, a delightful dessert that whispers comfort and indulgence.

Layers of creamy pudding, ripe bananas, and classic vanilla wafers create a symphony of flavors that dance across your palate.

Rich textures and subtle sweetness make this pudding a memorable treat for family gatherings and casual celebrations.

Classic ingredients blend seamlessly, showcasing Gaines’ signature style of simple yet elegant cooking.

Memories of childhood summers and grandmother’s kitchen emerge with each spoonful of this classic Southern dessert.

Readers who crave connection through culinary experiences: snap a photo, share this recipe, sprinkle comments below, and spread deliciousness with friends who appreciate authentic, heartwarming treats.

Joanna Gaines Banana Pudding Recipe

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4.6 from 32 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Joanna Gaines’ banana pudding weaves Southern comfort with creamy elegance, blending vanilla wafers, ripe bananas, and silky custard into a nostalgic dessert. Sweet layers meld together, creating a classic treat that beckons you to savor each spoonful of pure, homestyle indulgence.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 14 small bananas, sliced or to taste
• 1 (16 ounce / 453 grams) package vanilla wafers
• 1 (12 ounce / 340 grams) container frozen whipped topping, thawed

Dairy and Pudding Ingredients:

• 2 cups (473 milliliters) cold milk
• 1 (14 ounce / 397 grams) can sweetened condensed milk
• 1 (5 ounce / 142 grams) package instant vanilla pudding mix

Flavoring:

• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Create a silky pudding foundation by vigorously whisking cold milk (236 milliliters or 8 fluid ounces) with instant vanilla pudding mix for precisely 2 minutes until the mixture transforms into a thick, creamy consistency. Incorporate sweetened condensed milk, stirring until completely smooth and uniform.
2. Enhance the pudding’s aromatic profile by gently blending pure vanilla extract, then delicately folding in thawed whipped topping to produce an airy, luxurious texture.
3. Construct elegant dessert layers inside a transparent glass serving vessel, strategically arranging crisp vanilla wafer cookies as the initial foundation, followed by delicate banana slices, and generously coating with the prepared pudding mixture.
4. Methodically repeat layering techniques, ensuring each stratum is evenly distributed and visually appealing, ultimately crowning the dessert with a final pudding layer for a polished presentation.
5. Refrigerate the assembled dessert for a minimum of 60 minutes, allowing flavors to harmonize and the structure to solidify completely.
6. Immediately prior to serving, sprinkle crushed vanilla wafer fragments across the surface, providing a delightful textural contrast and visual appeal.

Notes

• Grab perfectly ripe bananas with soft brown spots, ensuring they’re firm enough to slice and won’t turn mushy in the pudding’s creamy layers.
• Chill the dessert thoroughly, allowing flavors to meld and layers to set into a decadent, smooth masterpiece that tastes even more delicious after resting.
• Create consistent layers by carefully spreading pudding and banana slices evenly, guaranteeing a delightful balance of textures in every single spoonful.
• Crush extra wafers just before serving to preserve their satisfying crunch, adding a delightful contrast to the silky pudding underneath.
• Prepare this dessert in advance for maximum flavor development, knowing the taste will intensify overnight while keeping the topping crisp and fresh.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 340 kcal
• Sugar: 24 g
• Sodium: 270 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 54 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 20 mg