The Ultimate Layered Banana Pudding

May 12, 2026

Yields: 8–10 servings
Prep time: 20 minutes
Chilling time: At least 4 hours (overnight is best!)

Ingredients

The Creamy Base:
1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
1 ½ cups ice-cold water
1 box (3.4 oz) instant French Vanilla pudding mix (or Vanilla)
3 cups heavy cream, chilled
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
The Layers:
1 box (11 oz) Nilla Wafers (or shortbread cookies for a twist)
4–5 large bananas, sliced into rounds (wait to slice until assembling to prevent browning)

Instructions

1. Prepare the Pudding Mixture
In a large bowl, whisk together the sweetened condensed milk and cold water until well combined. Add the instant pudding mix and whisk for about 2 minutes until smooth. Cover and refrigerate for at least 5 minutes or until firm.

2. Whip the Cream
In a separate chilled bowl, beat the heavy cream and vanilla extract on medium-high speed until stiff peaks form. Be careful not to over-beat into butter!

3. Fold it Together
Gently fold the whipped cream into the set pudding mixture using a spatula. Do this slowly to keep the mixture light and airy—you want a uniform pale yellow color with no streaks.

4. Assemble the Layers
In a large glass trifle bowl or a 9x13 baking dish, begin the layering process:
Bottom: A layer of vanilla wafers.
Middle: A layer of sliced bananas.

Top: A generous layer of the pudding mixture.
Repeat until you reach the top, ending with the pudding mixture.

5. The Finishing Touch
Crush a few remaining wafers and sprinkle them over the top. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours. This "rest" is crucial—it's when the cookies absorb the moisture and transform into a cake-like texture.

Pro-Tips for Success

The Banana Secret: Use bananas that are yellow with just a few brown spots. If they are too green, they lack sweetness; if they are too mushy, the texture won't hold up.

Prevent Browning: If you aren't serving it immediately, toss your banana slices in a tiny bit of lemon juice before layering.
Want a Twist? Try using Biscoff cookies or Graham crackers instead of vanilla wafers for a deeper, caramelized flavor profile.