More cool and creamy than sweet and rich, this classic banana pudding layers nilla wafers, a vanilla pudding mixture and ripe fruit.

Close up view of a 9 x 13" pan of easy and creamy banana pudding on a red and white plaid napkin.

A lighter dessert that is refreshing and doesn’t leave you feeling weighed down, this creamy banana pudding is appropriate for summer.

Different than our Banana Pudding for A Crowd that uses cream cheese to become extra rich, this recipe has a more mellow flavor dynamic than using all rich, dairy products like milk and heavy cream.

My husband really enjoys this version of classic southern dessert and wants to try it next with some crushed pineapple added along with the bananas. He thinks the tropical twist would add some Pina Colada vibes like in our Pina Colada Cake from a box mix and Orange Pineapple Jello Salad.

Ingredients and Substitutions

Bananas – use yellow (not green or brown) that are the optimal ripeness for the best flavor.
Lemon – juice from a fresh lemon to sprinkle over the banana slices to prevent browning.
Instant Vanilla Pudding
Milk – the original church cookbook recipe calls for water to dilute the pudding, but through testing we prefer milk.
Sweetened Condensed Milk
Whipping Cream – regular keeps the recipe more creamy and heavy whipping cream makes it more rich. We use regular whipping cream for a more mellow flavor here.
Vanilla Wafers – we use a full box, some can be crushed up to garnish the top layer if desired.

Ingredients to make creamy banana pudding are sweetened condensed milk, instant vanilla pudding, whipping cream, bananas, milk, lemon and vanilla wafers on a wooden counter top.

How To Make Creamy Banana Pudding

In a large mixing bowl, combine sweetened condensed milk, milk and instant pudding mix. Beat until well blended. Chill for at least 5 minutes.
While chilling beat whipping cream until a stiff peak forms. Use a cold bowl and beater for faster results. Then fold into pudding mixture.

Pouring a can of sweetened condensed milk into a white mixing bowl with vanilla pudding.

Spatula folding whipped cream into pudding and sweetened condensed milk in a white bowl.

Spread 1/3 of this mixture in the bottom of a 9 x 13″ dish or a 2 1/2 quart round glass bowl.
Slice the bananas and squeeze lemon juice over top. Toss gently to coat and help prevent browning.

Hand squeezing a lemon over fresh slices of bananas in a glass dish.

Spatula smoothing creamy mixture out in a 9 x 13" glass pan.

Add 1/3 of bananas and 1/3 of the vanilla wafers on top of the cream layer.
Repeat layers and finish with banana slices and wafer cookies on top.

Overhead view of nilla wafers and sliced bananas on a vanilla pudding mixture in a glass dish.

Final layer of pudding and sweetened milk mixture poured in the center of a creamy banana pudding recipe in a clear 9 x 13" dish.

Chill through before serving and enjoy!

Using whipping cream instead of Cool Whip helps makes this recipe more creamy than your average banana pudding!

Black serving spoon scooping into a light and creamy banana pudding with vanilla wafers and slices of bananas on top.

More Popular Dessert Recipes

Cool and creamy pan of banana pudding with a spoon scooping from the outside corner.

Creamy Banana Pudding

Created by Jennifer Osterholt

Servings: servings

Prep Time: 15

Chill time 3

Total Time: 3 15

More cool and creamy than sweet and rich, this classic banana pudding layers nilla wafers, a vanilla pudding mixture and ripe fruit.

Ingredients

▢ 14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk
▢ 1 1/2 cups cold water
▢ 4.3 ounce package instant vanilla pudding
▢ 2 cups whipping cream
▢ 11 ounce box vanilla wafers
▢ 3 medium bananas
▢ 2 tablespoons lemon juice

Instructions

In a large mixing bowl combine sweetened condensed milk, water and pudding mix. Beat until well blended. Chill 4 minutes.
14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk, 1 1/2 cups cold water, 4.3 ounce package instant vanilla pudding
Whip the cream and fold into the chilled pudding mixture.
2 cups whipping cream
Spoon 1/3 of the pudding mixture into a 9 x 13" or 2 1/2 quart round glass serving bowl.
Top with 1/3 of the vanilla wafers and sliced bananas dipped in lemon juice.
11 ounce box vanilla wafers, 3 medium bananas, 2 tablespoons lemon juice
Repeat layering 1/3 pudding mixture and topping with bananas and vanilla wafers. Chill thoroughly and serve within 24 hours for best results.

Nutrition

Calories: 320kcalCarbohydrates: 41gProtein: 4gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 9gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0.05gCholesterol: 42mgSodium: 168mgPotassium: 219mgFiber: 1gSugar: 29gVitamin A: 518IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 92mgIron: 0.1mg

“Plowing Through Life” is not a dietitian or nutrition professional. Any nutritional information shared is an estimate and can vary greatly depending on specific products are used. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator of your choice.