Description
Paula Deen’s legendary banana pudding brings Southern comfort to dessert tables with creamy layers of homemade custard, ripe bananas, and crisp vanilla wafers. Sweet memories and rich flavors meld together, inviting you to savor each delightful spoonful of this classic Southern treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 14 small bananas, sliced or to taste
- 1 (16 ounce / 453 grams) package vanilla wafers
Dairy and Creamy Components:
- 2 cups (480 milliliters) cold milk
- 1 (14 ounce / 397 grams) can sweetened condensed milk
- 1 (12 ounce / 340 grams) container frozen whipped topping, thawed
Flavoring and Thickening Agents:
- 1 (5 ounce / 142 grams) package instant vanilla pudding mix
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Organize all required components on a clean work surface, ensuring precise measurements of milk, pudding mix, sweetened condensed milk, vanilla extract, whipped topping, vanilla wafers, and fresh bananas.
- Pour 2 cups (16 fluid ounces) of cold milk into a spacious mixing bowl, then vigorously whisk the pudding mix for approximately 2 minutes until the mixture achieves a luxurious, velvety consistency.
- Incorporate the sweetened condensed milk, stirring thoroughly to create a seamless, silky texture that blends harmoniously with the pudding base.
- Gently fold in 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract, ensuring even distribution throughout the creamy mixture.
- Carefully integrate the thawed whipped topping, using delicate folding motions to maintain the light, airy structure of the dessert.
- Select a clear glass serving vessel to showcase the beautiful layers of the pudding.
- Create the first layer by arranging crisp vanilla wafers along the bottom of the dish, ensuring complete coverage.
- Strategically place thin, uniform banana slices atop the wafer foundation, covering the entire surface.
- Delicately spoon the prepared pudding mixture over the banana layer, spreading evenly to create a smooth surface.
- Repeat the layering process – wafers, bananas, pudding – until all ingredients are utilized, finishing with a generous pudding topping.
- Refrigerate the assembled dessert for a minimum of 1 hour to allow flavors to meld and texture to set.
- Before serving, garnish with additional crushed vanilla wafers for a delightful textural contrast and visual appeal.
Notes
- Chilling transforms the pudding’s flavor profile, letting ingredients meld into a harmonious dessert experience.
- Cold milk creates a smoother, more stable pudding base with superior texture and rich consistency.
- Fully thawed whipped topping ensures silky, even blending throughout the creamy mixture.
- Layering bananas moments before serving preserves their fresh, bright color and prevents unsightly browning.
- Transparent glass bowls showcase beautiful, appetizing layers that make the dessert visually irresistible.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 416 kcal
- Sugar: 39.7 g
- Sodium: 455.6 mg
- Fat: 13.4 g
- Saturated Fat: 8.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 67.1 g
- Fiber: 0.2 g
- Protein: 8.1 g
- Cholesterol: 52.4 mg