This Magnolia Bakery Banana Pudding Recipe has layers of creamy pudding, bananas, and Nilla wafers. It's heaven and way easier than you think! This is the ACTUAL banana pudding recipe from their cookbook.
In a large bowl, beat together the sweetened condensed milk and 1 ½ cups ice cold water until well combined - about 1 minute. Add the pudding mix and beat well - about 2 minutes. Cover and refrigerate for 3-4 hours or overnight. It is very important to allow the proper amount of time for the pudding mixture to set. It will be watery if you don't let it set up long enough.
In a large bowl, whip the 3 cups heavy cream until stiff peaks form. Gently fold the whipped cream into the pudding mixture until no streaks of pudding remain.
Dessert can either be made in individual portions or in a large glass bowl with 4-5 quart capacity (a 9x13 baking dish also works).
To assemble dessert, arrange 1/3 of the Nilla wafers covering the bottom, overlapping if necessary. Next, layer 1/3 of the bananas, and 1/3 of the pudding mixture. Repeat twice more, garnishing with additional wafers or wafer crumbs on the top layer. Cover tightly and allow to chill in the fridge for at least 4 hours - or up to 8 hours, no longer (because bananas will start to brown - see Notes for tips on preventing browning).
Nutitrion
Serving Size: 1 grams
Reviews
Kaylee on 2026-09-20 (5 stars): One of my favorite recipes! This time around, I only had a pint of heavy cream and no time to run to the store. I ran with it and the 2 cups heavy cream to pudding ratio worked just fine!
Barbara Jean Sweet on 2026-09-11 (5 stars): Hello! I made this last night for my BFF who just had a knee replacement. Banana pudding is her comfort food! We love this version!! I made a few substitutions:
1) I used a 5.1oz box of banana cream pudding mix (3.4oz in the pudding and the balance in the whipped cream as a stabilizer)
2) I used whole milk instead of water
3) I added 1tbsp of vanilla to the whipped cream.
I had five medium bananas but needed seven!!
Will definitely make again! Thank you for sharing!!!
Deb on 2026-08-27 (5 stars): Huge hit in our house. Followed it to the letter. Vanilla pudding from Whole Foods (vegan) worked as could not get jello pudding on hols in NY. Brought home Graham crackers as no Nilla wafers and it was excellent x thanks so much will try this again.
George on 2026-07-18 (5 stars): Please forgive me for overlooking this recipe because it has instant vanilla pudding. I was wrong and I admit it! I did use the French vanilla instant pudding because I thought it would give a little extra to this already incredible recipe. There is a reason that it is such a highly rated recipe despite my original doubts and being a snob.
I made the recipe in 2 stages. Per the instructions, I mixed the box of instant pudding with the sweetened condensed milk and refrigerated it overnight. I mixed in the whipping cream today and assembled the banana pudding in a 9 x 13 dish. The pudding is tasty that I may not reveal that it took no time to make. No standing over a stove with a double boiler or praying that your eggs don't scramble while making it in a pot.
This was simple and fast! I honestly don't like really sweet desserts and I don't think its overly sweet - just perfect.
So I will tell everyone that I toiled in the kitchen for hours. Ssshhh...its our secret. Don't rat me out!
Carol Caron on 2026-07-13 (5 stars): Yes. You are basically substituting the water and condensed milk in this recipe for what the box calls for.
Tamara Terrill on 2026-07-06 (5 stars): Love this recipe. I use milk in place of the ice water and had no problems with the pudding/whipped cream losing volume the next day. This recipe as written works beautifully. So many compliments!
Lisa F on 2026-06-27 (5 stars): I have made this recipe multiple times and it’s always delicious. People are now asking me to make this for their special events. It’s such a hit.
Stacy Chatterton on 2026-06-21 (5 stars): I made this for Father’s Day dessert and it was a big hit. We love Magnolia Bakery in NYC and this comes close. Thanks for sharing. ❤️
Georgeanne Mills Kaut on 2026-06-21 (5 stars): Can't beat it. What my Grandmother made growing up tastes so similar to this recipe!
