Grandma-Worthy Mama’s Banana Pudding Recipe for Sweet Souls

Sweet comfort calls like a warm embrace when you whip up this classic silky mamas banana pudding recipe that generations have adored.

Southern kitchens buzz with memories of creamy desserts passed down through loving hands.

Ripe bananas mingle with velvety custard and pillowy layers of vanilla wafers.

Each spoonful speaks of tradition and homemade warmth.

Creamy, dreamy textures dance on your palate with every delightful bite.

The simple ingredients transform into a dessert that feels like a nostalgic hug.

This recipe promises pure deliciousness that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Simple Steps For Mamas Banana Pudding Love

• Whip Up The Pudding Base

Grab a big mixing bowl and blend pudding mix with chilled milk until silky smooth. Let the mixture rest and thicken for a few minutes.

• Enhance The Creamy Goodness

Mix in sweet condensed milk and vanilla, stirring until everything is perfectly combined. Gently fold in most of the whipped topping.

• Create Delicious Layers

In a large serving dish, start building mouthwatering layers. First, place vanilla wafers, then add fresh banana slices, followed by a generous pudding spread.

• Build Your Flavor Tower

Continue layering ingredients, making sure each section gets equal love. Finish with a pudding top that looks totally inviting.

• Crown With Whipped Perfection

Spread remaining whipped topping across the surface, creating a fluffy cloud-like finish.

• Chill And Rest

Cover the dessert and let it hang out in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours. This magical resting time allows flavors to dance and cookies to soften.

• Serve With Style

Before presenting your masterpiece, add extra banana slices or crushed wafers for a stunning final touch.

Sweet Tips For Mamas Banana Pudding Perfection

• Creamy Texture Trick: Ensure pudding is perfectly smooth by whisking milk and pudding mix thoroughly, eliminating any lumps for a silky consistency.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the dessert a day in advance to allow wafers to soften and flavors to meld, creating a more decadent taste experience.
• Dietary Swap Options: Replace regular milk with almond or oat milk for a dairy-free version. Use gluten-free vanilla wafers to make the recipe celiac-friendly.
• Flavor Boost Variations: Sprinkle crushed pecans or toasted coconut between layers for added crunch and depth. Drizzle caramel sauce on top for extra indulgence.
• Healthier Twist: Reduce sugar by using sugar-free pudding mix and low-fat whipped topping. Add fresh berries between layers for a nutritional punch and vibrant color.

Ways To Serve Mamas Banana Pudding With Style

• Southern Comfort Plating: Serve this classic dessert in clear glass bowls to showcase the beautiful layers, allowing guests to see the creamy pudding, golden wafers, and fresh banana slices.
• Brunch Companion: Pair the banana pudding with a hot cup of coffee or sweet iced tea for a traditional Southern-style breakfast or dessert experience that brings comfort and nostalgia.
• Festive Garnish Options: Sprinkle crushed vanilla wafers or add a light dusting of cinnamon on top for extra texture and a subtle spice that complements the sweet banana flavor.
• Party Presentation Trick: Create individual servings in mason jars or small parfait glasses for a charming, portable dessert that's perfect for potlucks, picnics, or family gatherings.

Store Mamas Banana Pudding Smoothly

• Tasty Timing Magic: Prepare the banana pudding up to 2 days ahead and keep sealed in the refrigerator for maximum freshness and flavor development.
• Chilling Champion: Always refrigerate within 2 hours of assembling to maintain food safety and prevent bacterial growth, keeping the pudding cool and creamy.
• Slice Smart Strategy: Cut fresh banana slices just before final assembly to prevent browning and maintain their bright, appetizing appearance in the dessert.
• Leftover Love Plan: Store remaining banana pudding in an airtight container for 3-4 days, understanding the cookies will continue to soften and absorb pudding's moisture, creating an even more delectable texture.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Calories: 360 kcal

Servings: 13

All The Sweet Stuff For Mamas Banana Pudding

• Vanilla Pudding Mix: Magical thickening powder that forms the creamy foundation of the dessert.
• Cold Milk: Smooth liquid that helps pudding mix transform into a silky base with perfect consistency.
• Sweetened Condensed Milk: Rich, sugary nectar that adds dreamy sweetness and luxurious texture.
• Vanilla Extract: Aromatic liquid that brings warm, comforting flavor depth to the pudding.

• Vanilla Wafers: Crispy, golden cookies that provide delightful crunch and classic Southern charm.
• Bananas: Ripe, golden fruit that introduces natural sweetness and creamy texture. Choose bananas with minimal brown spots for best flavor and firmness.

• Whipped Topping: Light, fluffy cloud that crowns the dessert with airy elegance. Look for stabilized versions that hold shape longer.

Tools That Help With Mamas Banana Pudding

• Large bowl: Perfect for mixing pudding and whisking ingredients smoothly.
• Whisk: Essential for blending pudding mix and milk without lumps.
• 9×13-inch dish or trifle bowl: Ideal for creating beautiful layered dessert.
• Measuring cups: Helps measure milk and other ingredients accurately.
• Spatula: Great for folding whipped topping and spreading layers evenly.
• Sharp knife: Useful for slicing bananas into neat layers.
• Plastic wrap or lid: Necessary for covering and chilling the dessert.

Silky Mamas Banana Pudding Recipe

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4.7 from 13 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Mama’s banana pudding blends Southern comfort with creamy nostalgia. Layers of vanilla wafers, ripe bananas, and silky custard create a dessert that connects generations and warms hearts with each spoonful.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 45 bananas, ripe, sliced
• 14 oz (397 g) sweetened condensed milk
• 3 cups cold milk
• 5.1 oz (146 g) instant vanilla pudding mix
• 11 oz (312 g) vanilla wafers
• 8 oz (227 g) whipped topping (like Cool Whip), thawed
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Pudding Base Preparation: Whisk pudding mix with cold milk until silky smooth, allowing mixture to thicken for several minutes, creating a luscious foundation.
2. Flavor Enhancement: Blend sweetened condensed milk and vanilla extract into the pudding, stirring meticulously to develop a rich, creamy consistency.
3. Texture Transformation: Fold whipped topping gently into the mixture, introducing an ethereal lightness and voluminous character.
4. Initial Layering: Construct the base layer in a deep serving vessel by methodically positioning vanilla wafers to completely blanket the bottom surface.
5. Fruit Integration: Distribute banana slices uniformly across the wafer foundation, ensuring comprehensive coverage and balanced flavor distribution.
6. Pudding Cascading: Pour pudding mixture strategically over banana layer, spreading with precision to reach every corner of the dish.
7. Architectural Construction: Replicate layering sequence – wafers, bananas, pudding – building dimensionality and complexity with each successive stratum.
8. Surface Refinement: Conclude with a pristine, smooth pudding layer, creating an immaculate canvas for final embellishments.
9. Crowning Glory: Delicately spread remaining whipped topping across the surface, generating an elegant, cloud-like pinnacle.
10. Flavor Maturation: Refrigerate for minimum four hours, allowing ingredients to harmonize and cookies to absorb surrounding moisture, transforming texture and intensifying taste profile.
11. Presentation Flourish: Optionally adorn with additional banana slices or crushed wafers, introducing textural intrigue and visual sophistication just before serving.

Notes

• Prevent Banana Browning: Toss sliced bananas in a bit of lemon juice to maintain their fresh color and prevent quick oxidation.
• Wafer Texture Strategy: Place wafers at the bottom and between layers just before serving to maintain their slight crunch and prevent complete sogginess.
• Pudding Consistency Control: Ensure cold milk is used when mixing pudding to achieve the perfect smooth, thick texture without lumps.
• Chilling Technique: Allow pudding to rest in refrigerator for minimum 4 hours, but preferably overnight, for deeper flavor melding and optimal texture development.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Mixing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 360
• Sugar: 34 g
• Sodium: 210 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 55 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 15 mg