Magnolia Bakery’s Banana Pudding Recipe: Creamy Dreamy Delight

Creamy, dreamy banana pudding has a special place in southern dessert traditions, with this Magnolia bakery banana pudding recipe capturing hearts everywhere.

The legendary New York bakery’s signature dessert blends rich, velvety layers of pure comfort.

Soft vanilla wafers nestle between luscious banana slices and silky custard, creating a dessert that melts in your mouth.

Each spoonful tells a story of sweet nostalgia and indulgent pleasure.

The recipe brings bakery-level magic right into your kitchen with simple ingredients and straightforward steps.

Light, decadent, and utterly irresistible, this dessert promises to become your new go-to treat for any occasion.

Grab your whisk and get ready to experience dessert perfection.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 4 hours

Total Time: 24 minutes

Calories: 384 kcal

Servings: 9

Magnolia Bakery’s Banana Pudding: Ingredients Breakdown

• Sweetened Condensed Milk: Provides rich, creamy sweetness and helps create a smooth, luxurious texture.
• Instant Vanilla Pudding Mix: Adds classic vanilla flavor and helps thicken the dessert with minimal effort.
• Cold Water: Ensures proper consistency and helps blend the pudding mix seamlessly.

• Heavy Cream: Creates a light, airy texture that makes the pudding impossibly fluffy and decadent.

• Nilla Wafers: Adds delightful crunch and classic cookie sweetness that softens beautifully when chilled.
• Bananas: Brings natural sweetness, creamy texture, and a fresh tropical note to the dessert.

Tools Needed for Magnolia Bakery’s Banana Pudding

• Mixing Bowls: Large, sturdy bowls for combining ingredients and whipping cream.
• Whisk: Essential for blending condensed milk, water, and pudding mix smoothly.
• Electric Mixer or Whisk: Needed to whip heavy cream to stiff peaks.
• Knife: For slicing bananas into even layers.
• Serving Dish: A clear glass dish works best to showcase beautiful layers.
• Measuring Cups: Precise measurements for ingredients.
• Spatula: For gently folding whipped cream into pudding mixture.

How to Make Magnolia Bakery’s Banana Pudding

• Creamy Mixture

Blend chilled water with sweetened condensed milk until smooth, creating a silky base for the dessert.

• Pudding Texture

Incorporate vanilla pudding mix, whisking vigorously to develop a rich, velvety consistency.

• Fluffy Cream

Whip heavy cream until peaks stand tall and proud, adding airy lightness to the dessert.

• Layering Magic

Carefully arrange Nilla Wafers and banana slices in a beautiful pattern, alternating with luscious pudding mixture.

• Flavor Transformation

Refrigerate the dessert, allowing the ingredients to mingle and soften, creating a dreamy, melt-in-your-mouth experience.

Tips & Variations for Banana Pudding

• Choose perfectly ripe bananas with brown speckles for maximum sweetness and flavor depth in your pudding.
• For extra crunch, briefly toast Nilla Wafers in the oven before layering to enhance their nutty, caramelized profile.
• Experiment with flavor additions like a sprinkle of cinnamon, drizzle of caramel, or dash of dark rum to elevate the classic recipe.
• This dessert tastes even better when prepared a day in advance, allowing the flavors to fully develop and wafers to become deliciously soft.
• Swap heavy cream with coconut cream and use dairy-free pudding mix to create a delightful vegan version of this beloved dessert.

Serving Tips for Magnolia-Style Banana Pudding

• Garnish with Crumbled Wafers: Sprinkle crushed Nilla Wafers on top for a delightful crunch and nostalgic touch that adds texture and visual appeal to the creamy dessert.
• Pair with Fresh Berries: Serve alongside a handful of fresh strawberries or raspberries to complement the banana flavor and provide a tart contrast to the sweet pudding.
• Create Individual Servings: Use clear glass cups or mason jars to create elegant personal portions, showcasing the beautiful layers of wafers, bananas, and creamy pudding for a stunning presentation.
• Drizzle with Caramel Sauce: Add a luxurious finish by drizzling a thin stream of warm caramel sauce over the top, enhancing the dessert's richness and creating an irresistible gourmet twist.

Storage & Freshness Tips for Banana Pudding

• Store Smartly: Keep the banana pudding covered tightly in the refrigerator for maximum freshness, consuming within 3-4 days.
• Freeze Temporarily: Transfer leftover pudding to an airtight container, storing up to 2 weeks in the freezer, but note texture might slightly change upon thawing.
• Prevent Browning: When preparing bananas, sprinkle lemon juice to slow oxidation and maintain their bright yellow color during layering.
• Serving Suggestion: Remove pudding from refrigerator 10-15 minutes before serving to soften slightly and enhance its creamy texture.

Legendary Magnolia Bakery’s Banana Pudding Recipe

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4.6 from 20 reviews

• Total Time: 24 minutes
• Yield: 9 1x

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Description

Classic banana pudding from Magnolia Bakery blends creamy vanilla pudding, ripe bananas, and vanilla wafers into a delightful Southern dessert. Layers of comfort and nostalgia invite you to savor each spoonful of this beloved sweet treat.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 4 cups/960 ml ripe bananas, sliced
• 1 12-oz/340 g box Nabisco Nilla Wafers
• 3 cups/720 ml heavy cream
• 1 14-oz/397 g can sweetened condensed milk
• 1 ½ cups/360 ml ice cold water
• 1 3.4-oz/96 g package instant vanilla pudding mix (preferably Jello-O brand)

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Instructions

1. Combine Base: Whisk sweetened condensed milk and ice-cold water in a large mixing bowl until completely smooth and integrated.
2. Create Pudding Foundation: Add instant vanilla pudding mix to the liquid base, stirring vigorously for 2 minutes until the mixture thickens and becomes uniformly creamy.
3. Whip Cream: Using an electric mixer, beat heavy cream until stiff peaks form, creating a light and airy texture.
4. Blend Layers: Gently fold the whipped cream into the pudding mixture, maintaining the delicate airiness and ensuring no cream streaks remain visible.
5. Construct Dessert Structure: In a clear serving dish, create alternating layers by arranging Nilla Wafers as the base, topping with sliced ripe bananas, and covering with the creamy pudding mixture.
6. Repeat Layering: Continue building multiple layers, carefully distributing wafers, bananas, and pudding to ensure even coverage and an visually appealing presentation.
7. Finish and Chill: Top the final layer with a smooth pudding surface and refrigerate for 4-8 hours, allowing the dessert to set and flavors to meld together completely.

Notes

• Chill Before Serving: Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight to allow wafers to soften and flavors to meld perfectly, creating a dreamy, velvety texture.
• Prevent Banana Browning: Slice bananas just before assembling to maintain their fresh, golden appearance and prevent unsightly discoloration.
• Whip Cream Technique: Beat heavy cream until stiff peaks form, ensuring a light, airy texture that dramatically improves the pudding’s overall richness.
• Layer with Precision: Create even, beautiful layers by carefully spreading each component to guarantee a visually stunning and deliciously balanced dessert.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 4 hours
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 384
• Sugar: 25g
• Sodium: 194mg
• Fat: 24g
• Saturated Fat: 14g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 41g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 4g
• Cholesterol: 69mg