Best Southern Banana Pudding

The best southern banana pudding recipe combines lemon-dipped bananas, sweetened condensed milk, vanilla wafers and pure whipped cream into a decadently rich dessert that makes itself right at home at any potluck, picnic, tailgate, or church function.

This isn’t just dessert either; it’s a love letter to tradition, a creamy embrace of pillowy decadence, soft vanilla wafers, and tangy, lemon dipped bananas that melt into every spoonful. Your taste buds will be ready for a second helping of the best southern banana pudding, so make sure you leave room for this dessert.

The Best Southern Banana Pudding

I recently made this recipe for a get together with friends. I live around a small yet thriving community of South Africans (known as Afrikaners) and was blessed to be invited to a weekend “braai”, or barbeque. It only made sense to share my own culture by whipping up a bowl of banana pudding. When the moment of truth came, everyone could not stop raving about how good the dessert was! Talk about a moment to be proud of.

Need to bring additional sides to your next potluck or get-together? Check out these fluffy and vibrant sourdough Hawaiian rolls or these gooey Mississippi mud brownies. They are sure to be a hit!

How To Make The Best Southern Banana Pudding

Step 1:

Whisk the sweetened condensed milk and cold water together in a large bowl. Add the pudding mix and mix until combined. Chill in the refrigerator for 5-10 minutes.

Step 2:

While the pudding mixture is chilling, whip the heavy whipping cream in a stand mixer on medium then high speed (using the whisk attachment) until soft peaks form. Add the powdered sugar, vanilla, and pinch of salt and mix until combined. The whipped cream should be slightly sweet. *You can add more powdered sugar and vanilla to taste but do not allow that whipped cream to be as sweet as the pudding mixture.

Step 3:

Take the banana pudding out of the refrigerator. Add ¾ cup of the whipped cream into the banana pudding and mix.

Step 4:

Cut the bananas into circular slices and place in a small cup. Add lemon juice and gently coat the bananas in the juice.

Step 5:

In the desired serving bowl, layer the banana pudding, vanilla wafers, whipped cream, and bananas, repeating the layers to fit the desired size of the bowl. Top with remaining vanilla wafers.

Step 6:

Chill the pudding in the refrigerator for a minimum of 4 hours or even better, overnight.

The Best Southern Banana Pudding

The best southern banana pudding combines lemon-dipped bananas, sweetened condensed milk, vanilla wafers and pure whipped cream into a decadently rich dessert that makes itself right at home at any potluck, picnic, tailgate, or church function.

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Prep Time 20 minutes minutes

Serving Size 12 servings

Equipment

• Whisk
• Mixing bowl
• Spatula
• Stand mixer with mixing bowl
• Whisk attachment for mixer
• Knife
• Serving bowl (such as a trifle bowl, glass bowl, or mason jars)

Ingredients

• 1 can of sweetened condensed milk (14 oz)
• 1 ½ cups of cold water
• 1 package of banana cream instant pudding (6 serving family size)
• 2 cups heavy whipping cream
• 3 tbsp powdered sugar
• ¼ tsp vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt
• 1 box of vanilla wafers
• 3-4 bananas
• Lemon Juice

Instructions

• Whisk the sweetened condensed milk and cold water together in a large bowl. Add the pudding mix and mix until combined. Chill in the refrigerator for 5-10 minutes.
• Using the whisk attachment, whip the heavy whipping cream in a stand mixer until soft peaks form. Add the powdered sugar, vanilla extract and salt. Mix until combined.
• Take the banana pudding out of the refrigerator. Add ¾ cup of the whipped cream into the banana pudding and mix.
• Cut bananas into circular slices and place in a small cup. Add lemon juice and gently coat the bananas in the juice.
• In the desired serving bowl, layer the banana pudding, vanilla wafers, whipped cream, and bananas to fit the desired size of the bowl. Top with remaining vanilla wafers.
• Chill the pudding in the refrigerator for a minimum of 4 hours or even better, overnight.

Notes

Lovely Layering: For a dazzling presentation, place the vanilla wafers and bananas that touch the glass on their sides so they are visible through the glass. Wipe down the glass with a wet paper towel between adding layers in order to create clean lines.

Use instant pudding: Be sure that you are using instant pudding for this recipe and not ‘cook and serve’ pudding.

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