My banana pudding recipe is a little different than the rest. It’s assembled similar to an eclair cake with graham crackers instead of Nilla wafers.
If you like this recipe, check out my Strawberry Crunch Cake next!
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Hopefully your mama won’t be mad about my version of this classic dessert. I was thinking about the banana pudding my own mom used to make. She always added crushed peanuts to hers. And made it in a 9×13 casserole dish instead of a trifle dish. I couldn’t find her recipe card from back in the day. So I started thinking about how I’d make my own.
Hopefully purists don’t come for me, but my best banana pudding recipe does not use vanilla wafer cookies. Or condensed milk… this isn’t a Magnolia bakery copycat recipe either. It’s just my own delicious interpretation. I decided to assemble my banana pudding like an eclair cake. Pudding, whipped cream and fresh bananas are layered together with graham crackers. And the result is spectacular!
More easy dessert recipes
Banana pudding ingredients
- Bananas – Four whole bananas for a square baking dish are used. This banana pudding is loaded with fresh bananas.
- Banana Instant Pudding Mix – I personally like the extra banana flavor and pretty yellow color of banana pudding. But feel free to use vanilla pudding mix instead.
- Cool Whip – Half is folded into the pudding and milk mixture. The other half is used to top the pudding.
- Whole Milk – Mixed together with the pudding and Cool Whip it provides the delicious pudding layers in this dessert.
- Graham Crackers – I know, I know, they aren’t traditional. And you can use an equal amount of Nilla wafers instead. But the grahams soften and blend together so nicely with the pudding and bananas. I think they are a terrific alternative to vanilla wafers.
- Peanuts – These are completely optional, so I didn’t include them in the picture. But adding them right before serving gives the pudding some real flavor interest and texture. A little salt and crunch helps to balance out the rich, sweet flavors of this creamy pudding dessert.
Instructions
In a large bowl whisk together the milk, pudding and one cup of the Cool Whip. Start with a layer of grahams, then pour over half the pudding mixture. Top with a layer of banana slices. Repeat these layers one more time. Followed by a third layer of grahams. Then spread the top with the remaining Cool Whip, using a spatula or spoon. Refrigerate overnight. And garnish with crushed peanuts and more banana slices before serving.
Keep scrolling to the bottom of this post for my free printable recipe card and video tutorial for easy explanation of the layers.
Serving suggestions
Banana pudding tends to be served around here with good BBQ. Here’s some of my recipes to turn this dessert into a complete meal –
Storage directions
Store leftovers in an airtight container. The pudding will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to three days.
Kitchen tools
- My favorite mixing bowls with lids set
- I used this square casserole dish for serving the banana pudding
- This is the inexpensive paring knife I use in my kitchen
Banana Pudding Recipe
Equipment
- 1 8x8 Casserole Dish
Ingredients
- 8 oz graham crackers
- 4 ripe bananas
- 1 1/2 cups whole milk
- 3.5 oz instant banana pudding
- 12 oz Cool Whip
- 3/4 cup peanuts finely chopped
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk together the milk and instant banana pudding. Add 8 oz of the Cool Whip and whisk again until smooth.
- Layer 1/3 of the graham crackers in the bottom of a square casserole dish. About 4 rectangles in each layer. You'll have to break some to make them fit.
- Spread half of the pudding mixture on top. Then top evenly with sliced bananas.
- Layer another 1/3 of the graham crackers. Then spread the other half of the pudding on top. Then top evenly with more sliced bananas.
- Layer the remaining 1/3 of the graham crackers on top. And then evenly spread the remaining 4 oz of Cool Whip to cover the graham crackers.
- Cover the dish with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 8 hours or overnight.
- When ready to serve, sprinkle the top evenly with the chopped peanuts (if using). Then top with more sliced bananas.
Video
Nutrition
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