This southern banana pudding recipe is made with condensed milk and cream cheese. It's got everything this classic southern dessert needs and more!
Why You'll Love it:
Y’all, I’m about to blow your mind with this Southern Banana Pudding recipe!
Based off a Paula Dean recipe, this is a true classic when it comes to Southern desserts. But I'm sharing an added twist that takes it over the top!
Imagine creamy, dreamy banana pudding made with sweetened condensed milk and luscious cream cheese, then topped off with golden brown Nilla wafers that give the perfect crunch.
Seriously, the combination of flavors in this homemade recipe is out of this world – the rich, smooth pudding paired with the sweet banana and that cookie crumble? It’s a match made in creamy banana pudding heaven!
Plus, this comforting treat is one of those desserts that just gets better the longer it sits, so don’t be afraid to make it ahead of time and enjoy it the next day.
And if you’re wondering why this recipe stands out, let me tell ya! First, the condensed milk gives the pudding a sweetness that’s just right – not too overpowering, but enough to make you keep going back for more. The cream cheese adds a tangy richness that balances out the flavors perfectly. While those bananas give a natural sweetness and fresh bite. Top it all off with those golden Nilla wafers and you’ve got yourself a southern dessert that’s comforting, nostalgic, and just downright delicious.
Whether you’re new to banana pudding or a seasoned fan, this recipe is bound to become your go-to.
And trust me, this is the kind of comfort food that works for everything, from summer gatherings to your fam's Christmas dinner party. No matter the occasion, you can’t go wrong with this no bake banana pudding recipe!
Ingredients & Substitutions
With just a few simple ingredients you can make this classic recipe for Southern Banana Pudding.
- Heavy Whipping Cream: Don't want to make the whipped cream? An easy way to save yourself time is by using a tub of cool whip.
- Vanilla Extract:
- Sweetened Condensed Milk: The biggest difference about my homemade banana pudding recipe is alll about the sweetened condesned milk! It helps the pudding have so much more body and consistency so I don't recommend leaving it out. It's what will make this banana pudding your go-to recipe because it really stands out!
- Cream Cheese: Cream cheese adds the perfect tang to really make this the best banana pudding recipe out there! If you're looking for a substitution, you can try sour cream although I've never made it this way - have only heard about it.
- Whole Milk: Regular, whole milk works best but you could also use 2% or even low fat. To be transparent, I haven't played around with almond or oat milk.
- Banana Pudding Mixture: Most classic southern banana pudding recipes call for instant vanilla pudding mix... but I love banana flavor so I always double up when I can! I also always use a box of instant pudding mix but you could absolutely make homemade pudding. Just have some extra egg yolks and egg whites lying around.
- Vanilla Wafers: Doesn't matter what brand of crispy vanilla wafers you use - as long as they're golden brown and delicious, they'll work!
- Fresh Bananas: I recommend using ripe bananas for the best flavors. Banana slices
- Optional: If you wanted to get extra fancy with this classic dessert, you could top it with a generous serving of homemade whipped cream or make a beautiful meringue topping but that is beyond my comfort zone!
How to make it
Here's step-by-step instructions on how to make the best banana pudding recipe - along with some of my favorite tips and tricks.
- Make the Pudding: Since you're going to need an electric mixer or hand mixer to make the whipped cream, might as well bust it out early for this part too. Simply add your cold milk and your instant pudding mixture to a large bowl, and beat for 2 minutes. Then it will sit and firm up while you move on to the next step.
- Make the Condensed Milk Mixture: In a seperate bowl, add the room temperature cream cheese, the sweetened condensed milk and the villa. Mix until combined. Set aside.
- Make the Whipped Cream: Lastly, you'll make the whipped cream. Add cream to a bowl and use a hand mixer on high speed. Whip the cream until stiff peaks form then set aside.
Mix it Together: Now mix the cream cheese sweetened condensed milk bowl into the banana pudding until combined. Then fold the whipped cream into mixture carefully to maintain it's fluffy texture.
Choose your Serving Dish: You can use a trifle dish, a casserole dish, a baking dish, or a large bowl. Honestly, you can use anything you prefer - just make sure you can easily fit this delicious desert in your fridge.
Assemble: If you have time, I recommend sorting the cookies in a small bowl to separate the broken ones from the pretty ones. Use the broken ones (along with their crumbs) and place them on the bottom of your serving bowl to create a sold layer of nilla wafers. Then add sliced bananas and top with the banana pudding mixture Then use the pretty to decorate the top.
Chill: Cover this easy banana pudding recipe with plastic wrap and keep in the fridge for at least 2 hours up to two days.
Serve & Save: Before serving, add fresh banana slices to the top of the pudding and enjoy!
What to serve it with
Looking for more classic southern recipes and delicious dishes to serve with this no bake dessert? Check these out!
- Southern Tomato Gravy (My Grandma's Old-Fashioned Recipe)
- Easy Yellow Squash & Zucchini Recipe (Simple Southern Side)
- Sauteed Cabbage with Onions (The Best Easy Southern Recipe)
- Southern Cucumber Salad with Onion, Vinegar & Sugar Recipe
- Meme's Southern Fried Corn Recipe (The Best Skillet Recipe!)
- Southern Cornbread Salad Recipe with Herby Buttermilk Lime Dressing
- Cake Mix Banana Bread
And be sure to follow me on instagram for more popular recipes!
Recipe
The Best Southern Banana Pudding Recipe with Condensed Milk
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 5 oz box Instant Banana Pudding
- 2 cups Whole Milk cold
- 1 14 oz can Sweetened Condensed Milk
- 1 8 oz packge Cream Cheese room temp
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- 1 cup Heavy Whipping Cream
- 1 11 oz box Vanilla Wafers
- 4 large Bananas divided and sliced
Instructions
- In a large bowl, add instant banana pudding mix to two cups of cold milk. Use a hand mixer and beat on high for 2 minutes. Set aside to thicken.
- Meanwhile, in another large bowl, beat together cream cheese, sweetened condensed milk and vanilla. Set aside.
- And in another large bowl, whip heavy cream over high speed until stiff peaks form. Set aside.
- Now fold the banana pudding mix into the sweetened condensed cream cheese mixture and stir until combined. Then carefully fold in the whipped cream to keep its light and airy texture.
- Now grab your baking dish or serving bowl and add half of the cookies (and the crumbs) to the bottom of a large casserole dish. Add 3 slices bananas on top then add the banana pudding.
- Top with remaining cookies and wrap in plastic wrap. Place in fridge for at least 2 hours up to 2 days.
- Before serving, cut up the remaining banana and add it on top.
Kelly Retzer
Is 2% milk acceptable? Or is there a specific reason for the whole milk?
MacKenzie Smith
Yes! It's just what the boxed pudding recipe says - I'm sure 2% is also fine. 😉
Gabriela Ochoa
When you do the recipe 3x is it 27 cream cheese?
MacKenzie Smith
It would be 3 8oz packs of cream cheese - so 24 oz total! 😉
Leoninus Fate
My mother used to make a huge pain of this every year for Thanksgiving, I loved it....last year was the first time I didn't get to eat it, she passed May 22th 2023, from kidney failure and cancer, Now this year I sadly won't have it, but I also won't have a Thanksgiving, as there's no longer anyone but me, and I don't even know if l'll have a home at that time... but You can guess what my first food I'll make when I'm able to, It's going to be this~
Thank you for the sweet memory!