Description
Paula Deen’s Banana Pudding is a creamy, easy-to-make dessert featuring layers of vanilla wafers, ripe bananas, and a luscious pudding mixture made from instant vanilla pudding, cream cheese, and whipped topping. This classic Southern treat is chilled until the wafers soften into a cake-like texture, making it irresistibly smooth and flavorful.
Ingredients
Scale
Pudding Mixture
- 1 box instant vanilla pudding mix (5.1 ounces)
- 2 cups cold milk
- 1 can sweetened condensed milk (14 ounces)
- 1 package cream cheese, softened (8 ounces)
- 1 container whipped topping (12 ounces)
Other Ingredients
- 4 to 5 ripe bananas, sliced
- 1 box vanilla wafers (11 ounces)
Instructions
- Prepare the pudding: In a large bowl, whisk together the instant vanilla pudding mix and cold milk until smooth and slightly thickened. Let it rest for a few minutes to allow it to set gently.
- Mix cream cheese and condensed milk: In another bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth and silky. Slowly add the sweetened condensed milk and mix until fully blended and creamy.
- Combine pudding and whipped topping: Fold the prepared pudding into the cream cheese mixture, stirring gently to keep the texture light. Then fold in the whipped topping until everything feels airy and smooth.
- Layer the dessert: In a serving dish, start with a layer of vanilla wafers, followed by a layer of sliced bananas, then a generous layer of the pudding mixture. Repeat these layers until all ingredients are used.
- Chill: Cover the dish and refrigerate for at least four hours, allowing the flavors to meld and the wafers to soften into a cake-like texture.
- Garnish and serve: Before serving, add a few fresh banana slices or crushed wafers on top for a soft, inviting finish.
Notes
- Use ripe bananas for the best flavor and texture.
- Make sure the cream cheese is softened to avoid lumps in the pudding mixture.
- Refrigerating for at least four hours improves the texture by allowing wafers to soften properly.
- You can prepare this dessert a day in advance and keep it refrigerated.
- For a lighter version, use light cream cheese and reduced-fat whipped topping.
