The Best Copycat Magnolia Bakery Banana Pudding Recipe You’ll Love

Magnolia Bakery’s banana pudding represents a creamy culinary legend that has captured dessert lovers’ hearts nationwide.

Sweet and indulgent, this classic treat combines simple ingredients into something magical.

Layers of velvety custard, ripe bananas, and crisp vanilla wafers create a harmonious symphony of textures and flavors.

Soft, cloud-like pudding melts effortlessly on your tongue, delivering a nostalgic comfort that feels like a warm embrace.

Each spoonful transports you to childhood memories of homemade delights and family gatherings.

Rich yet light, this dessert balances decadence with an unmistakable homemade charm that makes everyone smile.

The recipe promises a delightful experience that reinvents ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary dessert.

Fun Twists on Magnolia Bakery’s Banana Pudding

• Chocolate Banana Pudding: Incorporate cocoa powder into the pudding mix for a rich chocolate flavor, and sprinkle chocolate shavings between layers for extra decadence.
• Tropical Coconut Remix: Replace some water with coconut milk and add toasted coconut flakes to create a tropical-inspired version of the classic dessert.
• Caramel Pecan Upgrade: Drizzle caramel sauce between layers and top with chopped pecans for a crunchy, sweet enhancement that complements the creamy pudding.
• No-Bake Banana Trifle: Use the same ingredients but assemble in a clear trifle dish for a stunning presentation that showcases the beautiful layers of wafers, bananas, and pudding.

Why Magnolia Bakery’s Banana Pudding Steals the Show

• Create Creamy Comfort: This dessert wraps you in a velvety, nostalgic embrace with its smooth pudding and soft wafer layers that melt together like a sweet dream.
• Transform Simple Ingredients: Magically turn basic pantry staples like condensed milk, pudding mix, and Nilla Wafers into a restaurant-quality dessert that looks and tastes impressively sophisticated.
• Effortless Crowd-Pleaser: No complicated baking skills required – just mix, layer, and chill, making it perfect for busy home cooks who want maximum deliciousness with minimal effort. The no-bake method means anyone can master this recipe, creating a dessert that looks like it came straight from a bakery counter.
• Versatile Party Treat: Works beautifully for summer gatherings, potlucks, family dinners, or as a make-ahead dessert that actually tastes better after resting in the refrigerator, letting all those delicious flavors develop and marry together.

What You Need for Magnolia Bakery’s Banana Pudding

• Sweetened Condensed Milk: Rich, creamy milk that adds sweetness and thickness to the pudding.
• Instant Vanilla Pudding Mix: Quick-setting mix that provides smooth texture and classic vanilla flavor.
• Ice Cold Water: Helps blend ingredients and create a smooth pudding consistency.
• Heavy Cream: Whipped to create a light, airy texture that gives the pudding its signature softness.

• Bananas: Ripe, soft bananas provide natural sweetness and creamy texture. Choose yellow bananas with minimal brown spots for best flavor.
• Nilla Wafers: Classic cookie that adds crunch and traditional banana pudding taste. Look for fresh, crisp cookies.

• No additional ingredients needed for serving.

Making Magnolia Bakery’s Banana Pudding From Scratch

Step 1: Blend Liquid Base

In a large mixing bowl, combine sweetened condensed milk and ice cold water. Whisk thoroughly until ingredients are completely blended and smooth.

Step 2: Create Pudding Mixture

Add instant vanilla pudding mix to the liquid base. Whisk continuously for 2 minutes until the mixture becomes smooth and starts to thicken.

Step 3: Whip Heavy Cream

In a separate bowl, whip heavy cream until stiff peaks form when the whisk is lifted.

Step 4: Combine Pudding and Cream

Gently fold the whipped cream into the pudding mixture. Stir until no white streaks remain and the mixture is uniform.

Step 5: Layer Dessert

• Nilla Wafers
• Sliced bananas
• Pudding mixture

Repeat the layering process until all ingredients are used, ensuring the final layer is pudding.

Step 6: Chill and Set

Refrigerate the banana pudding for at least 4 hours or overnight. This allows flavors to meld and wafers to soften, creating a dreamy dessert texture.

Pro Tips for Magnolia Bakery’s Banana Pudding

• Banana Selection: Choose ripe, spotty bananas for maximum sweetness and deeper flavor profile.
• Whipping Cream Technique: Ensure heavy cream is extremely cold before whipping to achieve the fluffiest, most stable peaks.
• Layering Perfection: Create neat, even layers by using a clear glass dish to showcase beautiful banana pudding stratification.
• Wafer Placement: Arrange Nilla Wafers strategically to ensure each bite includes both cookie and creamy pudding textures.
• Chilling Magic: Allow pudding to rest in refrigerator for full 4-6 hours, letting wafers soften and flavors blend completely for ultimate dessert experience.

How to Store Magnolia Bakery’s Banana Pudding Leftovers

• Refrigeration: Store leftover banana pudding in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Cover the surface with plastic wrap to prevent browning and maintain freshness.
• Freezing: Do not freeze this dessert, as the bananas and wafers will lose texture and become mushy when thawed.
• Reheating: Enjoy the pudding cold straight from the refrigerator. Gently stir before serving to redistribute the creamy layers and revive the dessert's original lusciousness.

Pairings That Complement Magnolia Bakery’s Banana Pudding

• Sip Creamy Southern Comfort: Pair this classic banana pudding with a cold glass of sweet tea, perfectly complementing its rich, nostalgic flavor profile.
• Brew a Delightful Contrast: Serve alongside a hot, freshly brewed cappuccino, letting the coffee's bold notes cut through the pudding's sweetness and create a balanced dessert experience.
• Enhance with Dessert Wine: Accompany the pudding with a chilled glass of moscato or late harvest riesling, whose light, fruity notes will harmonize beautifully with the banana and vanilla undertones.
• Crunch with Caramel Twist: Add a side of praline pecans or caramel-coated almonds to introduce a delightful textural contrast and nutty depth to the creamy dessert.

Magnolia Bakerys Banana Pudding Recipe

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4.5 from 32 reviews

• Total Time: 4 hours 20 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Magnolia Bakery’s legendary banana pudding blends creamy layers of sweetness with classic American comfort. Silky vanilla pudding, ripe bananas, and crisp vanilla wafers create a nostalgic dessert that delights from first spoonful to last.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 4 cups ripe bananas, sliced
• 3 cups heavy cream
• 1 12-ounce box Nabisco Nilla Wafers

Pudding Base:

• 1 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk
• 1 ½ cups ice cold water
• 1 3.4-ounce package instant vanilla pudding mix (preferably Jello-O brand)

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Instructions

1. Whisk together sweetened condensed milk and ice-cold water (240 milliliters / 8 fluid ounces) in a spacious mixing vessel until thoroughly integrated.
2. Incorporate instant vanilla pudding mix into the liquid base, vigorously stirring for approximately 2 minutes until the consistency becomes uniformly smooth and slightly thickened.
3. In a separate pristine bowl, vigorously whip heavy cream (240 milliliters / 8 fluid ounces) using an electric mixer until distinct stiff peaks emerge and maintain their structured shape.
4. Delicately introduce the whipped cream into the pudding mixture, employing a gentle folding technique to preserve the aerated texture, ensuring no visible cream streaks remain.
5. Select a transparent serving dish to create elegant visual layers, beginning with a foundation of crisp Nilla Wafers, followed by a generous scattering of freshly sliced ripe bananas.
6. Methodically pour a precise layer of the creamy pudding mixture over the wafers and bananas, creating distinct and even strata.
7. Repeat the layering sequence, alternating wafers, bananas, and pudding mixture, ensuring each component is evenly distributed.
8. Conclude the layering process with a final lavish coating of pudding mixture, guaranteeing a pristine and inviting surface.
9. Refrigerate the assembled dessert for a minimum of 4 hours, or preferably overnight, allowing the flavors to harmonize and the wafers to absorb the luxurious creamy essence.

Notes

• This no-bake dessert is a legendary sweet treat from the famous Magnolia Bakery in New York City.
• Chilling time is crucial for developing deep, rich flavors and creating the perfect soft, creamy texture.
• Use extremely cold water and fresh, ripe bananas to maximize the dessert’s deliciousness and prevent browning.
• Whip the cream carefully to stiff peaks to ensure a light, airy pudding consistency that holds its shape.
• Nilla Wafers will soften beautifully during refrigeration, creating a melt-in-your-mouth experience with every spoonful.
• Make ahead and store covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, making it a perfect make-ahead dessert for gatherings.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 4 hours
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 590 kcal
• Sugar: 45 g
• Sodium: 250 mg
• Fat: 38 g
• Saturated Fat: 22 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 56 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 7 g
• Cholesterol: 120 mg