This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our privacy policy.
Homemade Banana Pudding is a classic for a reason! Homemade vanilla pudding layered with bananas, vanilla wafer cookies and whipped cream is the ultimate comfort food.
If there were ever a dessert – aside from cheesecake – that I’d say I am obsessed with, it would be Banana Pudding.
Whether it is homemade, a super simple version with packaged ingredients, or even this easy Banana Cream Pie Fluff, I simply don’t think you can wrong with bananas, whipped cream and vanilla wafers.
It’s pretty much my favorite flavor combo at the moment, so you’ll be seeing a few more banana cream recipes in the coming weeks. (Oh, and in case you’re wondering, I did combine my two loves into banana pudding cheesecake!)
Homemade Banana Pudding is so simple to make – even from scratch and it can feed a crowd if you double the recipe for a trifle dish, which is why it’s ranks as one of my top 5 potluck recipes. But it also keeps pretty well in the fridge, so if you’re not feeding a crowd, you can have this as a delicious dessert or snack throughout the week.
Homemade Banana Pudding
As I said, I love banana pudding. I have made plenty of banana desserts and yet somehow it’s hard to beat a classic banana pudding.
There’s just something about the layers of Nilla wafer cookies, sweet and creamy vanilla pudding, fresh bananas, and pillowy whipped cream. I could eat it all day long.
There are lots of ways to make an easy banana pudding with pudding mix or even Cool Whip. But sometimes I just want to make a Homemade Banana Pudding with Homemade Vanilla Pudding and Homemade Whipped Cream.
Homemade everything!
Ok, not quite. I don’t make my own Nilla wafers, although you totally could! Homemade vanilla wafers would be delicious – I just never feel like making them.
Don’t worry that making your own banana pudding from scratch is hard. It’s a lot easier than you think!
How to Make Banana Pudding from Scratch
First, you’ll want to get the components of your Homemade Banana Pudding ready to go:
- Make homemade vanilla pudding according to my recipe
- Slice 3-4 bananas
- Whip up some homemade whipped cream
As soon as the pudding comes off the stove and you whisk in the butter and vanilla, grab your favorite baking dish. Line the bottom of the dish with a layer of Nilla wafer cookies, topped with a layer of sliced bananas.
Pour half of the warm pudding over the sliced bananas. Repeat the cookie, banana, and pudding layers one more time.
Place a layer of plastic wrap over the pudding so that the plastic touches the top of the pudding. This will prevent a skin from forming while it chills.
Let the pudding chill for at least 4 hours. Before serving, top with as much whipped cream as you desire. Garnish with more cookies and banana slices.
One batch of pudding will fill a 2 to 2 ½ quart baking dish. If you’d like to make your banana pudding in a trifle dish like you see in these photos, I recommend doubling the recipe to fill the dish.
More Banana Dessert Recipes
I don’t know what it is about spring that makes me want to make all of the banana desserts. If you are also craving all sorts of banana goodness, check out four more of my favorite banana dessert recipes.
Banana Pudding Poke Cake
Banana Cream Pie Eclair Cake
Banana Cream Pie Fluff
Moist Banana Cake
Homemade Banana Pudding
Ingredients
- 1 batch Homemade Vanilla Pudding
- 3 medium or 4 small bananas sliced
- ½ box Nilla Wafer cookies about 6 ounces
- Homemade whipped cream
Instructions
- Make the vanilla pudding as directed. After stirring in the butter and vanilla, set aside.
- Line the bottom of a 2-2.5 quart baking dish with a layer of Nilla Wafers, topped by a layer of banana slices. Pour over half of the vanilla pudding. Repeat the layers one more time.
- Place a layer of plastic wrap over the pudding so that the plastic touches the top of the pudding. Chill for at least 4 hours. Before serving, top with as much homemade whipped cream as you desire. Garnish with additional Nilla Water cookies.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Have tried several of your recipes. They are an excellent starting point, using cornstarc Instead of flour is a real timesaver, I added an extra egg yolk for richness, used a high quality European butter, and substituted vanilla bean for extract. Added a Tbsp of powdered sugar to whipped cream. Bottom 2 layers I used crushed Nola wafers in combination with whole wafers, turned out really well. Live in the country and have access to fresh milk gonna try that next.
Glad you enjoyed, David! Thanks for stopping by and sharing your feedback. Happy baking!
Jamie
The first time I made this recipe it came out kind of chunky so what I did differently was I added the eggs in the cold pot with the milk, sugar and salt, cooked it until it got hot and then added the cornstarch slurry cooked it until it got a little thick and then I strained it into a bowl and then added the vanilla and the butter. I made banana pudding with it. The flavor is amazing!!!
Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing your feedback, Nisee! Happy baking!
Jamie
I made this for a Thanksgiving dessert. It was awesome. I would suggest adding a little extra cornstarch for more humid areas in the south.
So glad you enjoyed the banana pudding, Moni! Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing your feedback. Happy baking!
THe artificial sugar will work as regular sugar. Also by sprinkling a litlle sugar on top of hot pudding instead of plastic wrap will keep the skin from forming. We didnt have plastic wrap back in the day.
Thank you so much for taking the time to stop by and comment, Sue! Happy baking!
-Jamie
CAN I MAKE THIS WITH STEVIA INSTEAD OF SUGAR?
Hello! I haven’t attempted this recipe with this substitution, so I am not sure of the result. If you happen to give it a try, I’d love to know how it turned out. Thanks so much for stopping by.
-Jamie
@Sarah, I would use Allulose instead; works great. 1 cup sugar = 1 1/3 cup Allulose. Many stores carry it now, as well as amazon. Not cheap but great.