Is there anything more frustrating than making a “kid-friendly” dessert, only to have it pushed away with a suspicious look? I’ve been there. You just want one sweet treat that everyone, from the littlest to the biggest, will actually eat and enjoy. If you’re looking for another banana-based favorite, you must try these bakery-style banana chocolate chip muffins.
Well, my friend, I think I’ve found our secret weapon: the Magnolia Bakery Banana Pudding Dessert. It’s not just a dessert; it’s a creamy, dreamy, no-bake miracle that has saved my sanity on more than one sugar-craving afternoon. Let me show you how to make this southern classic your new family favorite.
Recipe Overview
- Cuisine: Southern / American
- Category: Dessert
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes (plus chilling)
- Servings: 8-10
Why Even My Picky Eaters Love This!
This pudding is a total win for tricky taste buds. The texture is smooth and creamy, with no weird lumps. The vanilla wafers get soft and cake-like, which is a big hit with kids who don’t like crunchy things.
Best of all, it’s built in layers they can see. There’s no mystery “green stuff” hidden inside. They know it’s just pudding, bananas, and cookies. That visual trust goes a long way in our house!
Our Family-Friendly Ingredient List
I promise, nothing fancy here. You probably have most of this in your pantry right now. The short list is part of the magic.
- 1 (14 oz) can of sweetened condensed milk
- 1 ½ cups ice cold water
- 1 (3.4 oz) box of instant vanilla pudding mix
- 3 cups heavy cream
- 1 (11 oz) box of vanilla wafer cookies (like Nilla Wafers)
- 4-5 ripe (but not mushy) bananas
How to Get the Kids Involved in Cooking This
My kids fight over who gets to help with this one. It’s that easy and fun. Giving them a job makes them so much more excited to try the final product. For another dessert that’s fantastic for little helpers, check out these dreamy banana cheesecake muffins.
For little hands, the best task is arranging the vanilla wafers in the dish. It’s like edible tile work! Older kids can be in charge of slicing the bananas (with supervision) or gently folding the whipped cream into the pudding mix.
The Full Step-by-Step Instructions
Don’t let the layers intimidate you. It’s just repeating a simple, satisfying pattern. I like to use a big glass bowl so everyone can see the stripes.
- In a large bowl, whisk the sweetened condensed milk and ice cold water together until smooth.
- Add the entire box of instant pudding mix. Whisk for a full 2 minutes, then set it aside to thicken for a few minutes.
- In another large bowl (or a stand mixer), beat the heavy cream on medium-high speed until you get stiff peaks. This is your whipped cream.
- Gently fold the whipped cream into the pudding mixture until no white streaks remain. This is your magical, fluffy pudding cream.
- Now, let’s layer! In a 9×13 dish or a large trifle bowl, place a single layer of vanilla wafers on the bottom.
- Slice the bananas and layer half of them over the wafers.
- Spread half of the pudding cream mixture evenly over the bananas.
- Repeat the layers: wafers, remaining bananas, and the rest of the pudding cream.
- Cover and chill in the fridge for at least 4 hours, but overnight is best. The waiting is the hardest part!
Fun Twists for Different Tastes
Got a kid who loves chocolate? Swap the vanilla pudding for chocolate pudding mix. It’s a delicious muddy version!
Magnolia Bakery Banana Pudding Dessert Recipe
Our Family-Friendly Ingredient List
The Full Step-by-Step Instructions
Notes
Enjoy your homemade Magnolia Bakery Banana Pudding Dessert Recipe!
Nutrition Information
For a fun party look, crush some extra wafers and sprinkle them on top right before serving. You can also add a layer of fresh berries between the bananas for a pop of color and flavor.
If someone is unsure about the soft cookies, serve a few extra crunchy wafers on the side for dipping. Problem solved!
Storing & Reheating (Perfect for Busy Nights)
The great news is this dessert is a make-ahead dream. It needs that chill time, so making it the night before is perfect.
Cover it tightly with plastic wrap. It will keep well in the fridge for 2-3 days. The bananas will brown a little, but the taste is still amazing. This dessert does not freeze well, as the texture of the cream and bananas will change.
Nutrition Notes
Let’s be real—this is a special treat. But it’s nice to know what’s in it! Here’s a simple breakdown per serving.
- It’s a good source of potassium from the bananas.
- Provides energy from carbohydrates.
- Contains dairy (cream, milk).
- This is a dessert best enjoyed in moderation as part of a balanced diet.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Can I use homemade pudding instead of instant?
You can, but the instant mix is key for the right thick, stable texture that holds the layers. A cooked pudding might be too loose. I stick with the box for guaranteed success.
My bananas turned brown in the fridge. Did I do something wrong?
Not at all! Bananas naturally oxidize and brown when exposed to air. It’s totally normal and doesn’t affect the flavor. If you want to slow it down, you can toss the banana slices in a tiny bit of lemon juice before layering.
Can I make this dairy-free?
You can try! Use full-fat coconut milk for the heavy cream and a dairy-free sweetened condensed coconut milk. The texture will be slightly different, but it can still be delicious.
So there you have it. My not-so-secret weapon for dessert peace. It’s simple, it’s make-ahead, and it brings everyone to the table with a smile. That’s a win in my book any day of the week. If you love the combination of banana and creamy textures, you’ll adore the full banana cheesecake muffins recipe.
I truly hope this recipe becomes a happy tradition in your home, just like it is in mine. I’d love to know if this was a hit with your family! Please leave a comment and rating below!
