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Magnolia Bakery Banana Pudding in glass bowl

Magnolia Bakery Banana Pudding Recipe

Magnolia Bakery in New York City is known for its cupcakes, but many agree the banana pudding is the best dessert made at the bakery! Vanilla pudding mix, sweetened condensed milk, fresh whipped cream, bananas and of course, Nilla Wafers, are key ingredients in this easy to make treat.

Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Keyword american dessert, banana pudding, comfort food, Magnolia Bakery banana pudding, refrigerator dessert
Prep Time 15 minutes
chill 10 hours
Total Time 10 hours 15 minutes
Servings 10 generous 1 cup servings

Ingredients

  • 1 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk NOT evaporated milk!
  • 1 1/2 cups cold water I use cold bottled water from fridge
  • 1 3.4 oz (small box) Instant Vanilla Pudding (make sure it is INSTANT) I like Jello Brand "Instant Pudding and Pie Filling" mix sold in a box
  • 3 cups good quality heavy whipping cream, shaken I use Darigold or Winder Dairy
  • 4-5 cups slightly under-ripe bananas, sliced (about 5 large bananas) bananas should be slighly green (not bright green!)
  • 1- 12 oz box Nilla Wafers regular or mini size reserve some for crumbling on top and placing on top of pudding

Instructions

  1. In the bowl of a stand mixer or a large bowl whisk together the can of sweetened condensed milk and 1 1/2 cups cold water until combined.
  2. Add the pudding mix and beat with a whisk or the whisk attachment. The mixture should be smooth and all pudding ingredients dissolved.

  3. Cover and refrigerate for 2-3 hours, overnight, or up to two days ahead of serving. Make sure to allow the pudding enough time to set up.

  4. In a large bowl, or the bowl of a stand mixer, whip the heavy cream in a clean bowl for a few minutes (this takes about 3-4 minutes in a stand mixer on high until the cream is stiff.)

  5. Using a rubber spatula, fold the whipped cream into the set up pudding mixture until no streaks of pudding remain. Don't beat with a mixer; gently fold mixture so the cream doesn't deflate! You may use a large whisk and whisk by hand.

  6. To assemble dessert, use a large glass bowl, trifle bowl, 9x13 pan or 10-20 4-8 oz cups

  7. If making in small individual containers, I like to use a 1/4 cup measure and place pudding in the bottom of the bowl or cup first, then layer sliced bananas and a layer of cookies. Repeat and end with a little pudding mixture on top. Cover and let chill for 4-8 hours.

  8. When ready to serve, slice a few bananas and place a Nilla Wafer or crushed wafers on top of each serving if making individual portions. If making in a bowl, arrange in three layers and end with either wafers or pudding on top.

Recipe Notes

  • PLAN AHEAD. You need a full 2-3 hours for the pudding to set up properly. You can do this up to two days ahead of assembling dessert. After allowing the pudding to set up, you'll need another 4-8 hours for the assembled dessert to set up properly. I think 6 hours is the perfect amount of time.
  • Buy bananas that are slightly green. Make sure the bananas are almost ripe, not bright green! I received several messages regarding the ripeness factor of the bananas when I posted the original Magnolia Bakery Banana Pudding. I understand a riper banana will yield a sweeter banana, but I'd rather have a firm banana that is not discolored than a sweet soft (and eventually slimy) banana in my dessert!
  • Purchase regular pudding, whipping cream, sweetened condensed milk, and cookies. The success of the dessert depends on it. No low fat or low sugar ingredients/versions of the listed ingredients.
  • If you are topping the dessert with fresh bananas, wait to top the pudding with bananas until just before serving!
  • If you are making this for a party, and would like to make individual servings, the recipe yields about 10 heaping 1 cup servings  (quite a large serving), or about 18-20 1/2 cup servings. I suggest the smaller version for most occasions.