Go Back
–+ servings
A top view of banana pudding with vanilla wafers.

HOW TO MAKE BANANA PUDDING WITH VANILLA WAFERS

Homemade Banana Pudding is always served at restaurants for a reason! This is a crowd-pleaser layered with bananas, vanilla wafer cookies and whipped cream and is the ultimate dessert.
5 from 1 vote
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
chill time 6 hours
Total Time 6 hours 15 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 12
Calories 271 kcal

Equipment

  • 9X13 baking dish or a round

Ingredients
  

  • 6 cups vanilla pudding instant, cook'n'serve or homemade
  • 1 box vanilla wafers
  • 1 quart whipped cream
  • 3 bananas

Instructions
 

  • Make the vanilla pudding and let it cool until it is warm but not hot.
  •  In a 9X13 pan, arrange so that there is a layer of wafers in the bottom. Reserve about 6 wafers for the last layer.
  • Slice the bananas into circles and layer them on top of the wafers.
  • This is optional, but I make a large amount of whipped topping because I like to add a thin layer over the bananas. Next, pour the pudding on top. 
  • The final layer is the remaining whipped topping.  Add the remaining wafers and banana slices to the top to dress it up a bit.
  • Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 6 hours before serving.

Notes

Tip: This delicious dessert can be made ahead of time, but I think it's best served within the first day of layering the pudding and wafers.  Don't get me wrong, the leftovers are really good too, but the wafers do begin to break down after the first day or so.
HOW TO MAKE HOMEMADE WHIPPED CREAM
Pour a quart of heavy cream, 1 cup of powdered sugar, and a tablespoon of vanilla in the bowl of a stand mixer.  Use a stand mixer with a whisk attachment. Whisk at medium speed until the cream is frothy and begins to thicken, then increase to medium-high speed and beat until you start to see trails left by the beaters.
This will make a large batch of whipped cream, and you may not need all of it.
HOW TO STORE BANANA PUDDING WITH VANILLA WAFERS
Put any leftovers in an airtight container or cover with plastic wrap.  Keep it in the fridge and eat it within a 2-3 days.  This classic dessert doesn't hold up well to freezing.
SERVING SUGGESTION
This old fashioned banana pudding can be served and stored in pint or jelly mason jars. Simply put vanilla wafers and bananas on the bottom and layers of creamy vanilla pudding on top. I still like to top it with whipped cream.

Nutrition

Calories: 271kcalCarbohydrates: 27gProtein: 3gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 11gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 60mgSodium: 77mgPotassium: 224mgFiber: 1gSugar: 19gVitamin A: 559IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 82mgIron: 0.1mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!