Banana Pudding
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Banana Pudding
Southern banana pudding layers vanilla wafers, fresh banana slices, and a quick no-cook pudding under a cloud of whipped cream. Instant pudding folded with sweetened condensed milk and cream gives it a rich, made-from-scratch taste in a fraction of the time. Layer it, then chill so the wafers soften into cake. It serves ten and is a guaranteed potluck favorite.
Ingredients
- 1 5.1-ounce box instant vanilla pudding mix
- 3 cups cold whole milk
- 1 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1 11-ounce box vanilla wafers
- 5 ripe bananas, sliced
Directions
- In a large bowl, whisk the pudding mix with the cold milk for 2 minutes, then whisk in the sweetened condensed milk and vanilla. Refrigerate 5 minutes to set.
- In a separate chilled bowl, beat the heavy cream and powdered sugar to stiff peaks.
- Fold half of the whipped cream into the pudding until smooth and light.
- Spread a thin layer of pudding in the bottom of a 9-by-13-inch dish. Top with a layer of vanilla wafers and a layer of banana slices.
- Repeat the pudding, wafers, and bananas until everything is used, finishing with pudding.
- Spread the remaining whipped cream over the top and chill at least 4 hours, or overnight, before serving.
Tips and variations
- Use ripe but firm bananas. Overripe bananas turn mushy and brown in the layers.
- Chill the pudding at least 4 hours so the wafers soften into a cake-like texture.
- Press a layer of wafers around the edges of the dish for a pretty border.
- To slow browning, toss the banana slices in a little of the pudding before layering.
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Common questions
- How do I keep the bananas from browning
- Use ripe but firm bananas, layer them between the pudding so air does not reach them, and serve within a day.
- Can I make banana pudding ahead
- Yes. It actually improves overnight as the wafers soften. Make it up to a day ahead and keep it covered in the fridge.
- Do I have to cook the pudding
- No. This version uses instant pudding mix, so there is no stovetop cooking. It sets up in the refrigerator.
- What wafers are best for banana pudding
- Classic vanilla wafers are traditional. They soften into a tender, cake-like layer as the pudding chills.
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