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MAGNOLIA BAKERY BANANA PUDDING (FROM SCRATCH) RECIPE

This delightful banana pudding recipe from Magnolia Bakery is known for its layers of creamy vanilla pudding, fresh bananas, and crisp Nilla wafers. A perfect dessert that's surprisingly easy to prepare, straight from their cookbook!
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Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Chilling Time: 7 hours
Total Time: 7 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 15

Equipment

  • Large glass bowl
  • Hand mixer

Ingredients

  • 3 cups heavy cream
  • 1 3.4 oz box instant vanilla pudding mix
  • 1 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk
  • 4 cups sliced barely ripe bananas see notes
  • 1 ½ cups ice-cold water
  • 1 12 oz box Nilla Wafers

Instructions

  • In a large glass bowl, mix the sweetened condensed milk with ice-cold water using a hand mixer for about a minute until fully combined. Add the instant vanilla pudding mix and beat for approximately 2 minutes until the mixture is smooth. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for 3 to 4 hours or overnight, allowing the pudding mixture to set completely. Proper chilling time is crucial to achieve the right consistency; if not chilled long enough, the mixture will be too thin.
  • In a separate large bowl, whip the heavy cream until stiff peaks form. Gently fold the whipped cream into the chilled pudding mixture until fully incorporated and no streaks remain.
  • For assembly, choose between individual servings or use a large 4-5 quart glass bowl or a 9x13-inch baking dish. Start by arranging 1/3 of the Nilla wafers on the bottom, overlapping them if necessary. Follow with 1/3 of the banana slices and then 1/3 of the pudding mixture. Repeat the layers two more times, finishing with a layer of wafers or wafer crumbs on top.
  • Cover the assembled dessert tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or up to 8 hours. Do not chill for longer than 8 hours, as the bananas may begin to brown.

Notes

Preventing Bananas from Browning:
  • Select bananas that are just barely ripe, with a slight green tinge at the stem, to delay browning.
  • Lightly brush banana slices with lemon juice or any other fruit juice like pineapple or apple. Brushing is preferable over soaking to avoid altering the flavor. Rinsing the slices in water can also help slow browning by neutralizing the pH.
  • Use club soda to rinse the bananas, as it won't affect the taste. Avoid tonic water due to its undesirable flavor.
  • Store the pudding airtight to minimize exposure to air, which causes oxidation.