Description
Banana pudding from Ina Garten offers a creamy Southern classic with luxurious layers of vanilla wafers, ripe bananas, and silky custard. Guests will savor each spoonful of this comforting dessert that brings delightful sweetness to any gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4–5 bananas (ripe, sliced, approx. 510–635 g / 18–22 oz)
- 1 package (16 oz / 454 g) vanilla wafers
- 1 package (5 oz / 142 g) instant vanilla pudding mix
- 2 cups (480 ml / 16 fl oz) cold milk
- 1 can (14 oz / 396 g) sweetened condensed milk
- 1 container (12 oz / 340 g) whipped topping (thawed)
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare Pudding Base: Whisk pudding mix and milk in a spacious bowl for 2 minutes until achieving a velvety, smooth texture without lumps.
- Enhance Mixture: Fold in sweetened condensed milk and vanilla extract, creating a rich, aromatic foundation with seamless integration of creamy elements.
- Incorporate Whipped Topping: Gently fold whipped cream into the pudding mixture, maintaining its light and airy composition while ensuring thorough blending.
- Build Layered Structure: In a clear glass dish, construct alternating layers of pudding, ripe banana slices, and crisp vanilla wafers, methodically repeating until all ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Chill and Set: Refrigerate the assembled dessert for at least 1 hour, allowing flavors to meld and the pudding to develop a perfectly chilled consistency.
- Finish and Serve: Just before presenting, sprinkle crushed vanilla wafers on top for an elegant, crunchy garnish that adds visual and textural intrigue to the classic banana pudding.
Notes
- Whisk Wisely: Spend full 2 minutes mixing pudding mix and milk to eliminate lumps and achieve an ultra-smooth texture.
- Condensed Milk Magic: Stir sweetened condensed milk thoroughly to create a rich, creamy base that elevates the entire dessert’s flavor profile.
- Banana Selection: Choose ripe, firm bananas without brown spots to ensure perfect slice consistency and optimal flavor.
- Chill for Success: Allow minimum 60 minutes refrigeration time to let flavors blend and pudding set completely, enhancing overall taste and texture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 65 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 30 g
- Sodium: 200 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg