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Southern Banana Pudding (Layered with Vanilla Wafers)

A creamy and comforting banana pudding recipe layered with pudding, bananas, and vanilla wafers. Perfect for holidays, cookouts, or anytime you want a comforting homemade treat.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Servings: 10
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Southern, American
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 3 cups cold milk
  • 1 box 5 oz instant vanilla pudding mix
  • 1 can 14 oz sweetened condensed milk
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 1 carton 8 oz frozen whipped topping, thawed (or 1 cup heavy cream, whipped)
  • 6 –8 ripe bananas sliced
  • 1 box vanilla wafers

Method
 

  1. In a large bowl, whisk together the cold milk and instant vanilla pudding mix until smooth. Let it sit for 5 minutes to thicken.
  2. Whisk in the sweetened condensed milk and vanilla extract until fully combined.
  3. Fold in the thawed whipped topping (or whipped cream) until the mixture is light and creamy.
  4. In a trifle dish or large serving bowl, add a layer of vanilla wafers.
  5. Top with a layer of banana slices, then spread a layer of the pudding mixture over the bananas.
  6. Repeat the layers—vanilla wafers, bananas, pudding—until you reach the top of the dish.
  7. Finish with a final layer of pudding and garnish with extra wafers or banana slices.
  8. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2–4 hours (overnight is best) to allow the flavors to meld and the wafers to soften.

Notes

For best results, assemble the pudding the night before serving.
Use bananas with yellow peels and light brown speckles—they're sweetest and won't turn mushy.
You can substitute whipped cream for Cool Whip if you prefer.
Add an extra crunch by layering crushed vanilla wafers on top just before serving.