Semi-Homemade Nilla Wafer Banana Pudding

Layers of Nilla wafers, fresh bananas, and pudding topped with fluffy and fresh whipped cream, this semi-homemade, no-bake Nilla Wafer pudding is yours in no time.

My husband is a banana pudding connoisseur. It’s one of his favorite desserts (with key lime pie also being at the top), so I’ve made him banana pudding all sorts of ways — the hot kind, the homemade pudding route, smashing fresh bananas in the pudding, you name it. The man knows exactly what he likes though, and this simple, semi-homemade way is his absolutely favorite.

What’s not to love? There’s the classic Nilla wafers between layers of soft vanilla pudding and fresh bananas, then a generous portion of freshly whipped cream on top. The pudding permeates the Nilla wafers the longer you let the pudding sit in the refrigerator, almost making a layer of sponge cake in the middle.

Ingredients for the Nilla wafer pudding

• instant vanilla pudding mix 
• milk (I always use whole but it doesn’t matter)
• sweetened condensed milk
• heavy cream
• vanilla extract
• mini vanilla wafer cookies
• bananas

Why not banana pudding mix?

Banana pudding mix tastes too…fake. The artificial banana taste is a strange flavor, and in IMHO doesn’t taste very banana-ey. I much prefer using vanilla pudding and adding fresh bananas. You won’t miss it. Each bite you’ll take will have fresh banana, making no mistake that this is banana pudding.

How to Make Nilla Wafer Pudding

• In a large bowl, combine pudding mix, milk, and sweetened condensed milk. Whisk until smooth. Place in the refrigerator for a few minutes to firm up.
• In a large bowl of a stand mixer with whisk attachment, whisk heavy cream and vanilla until stiff peaks form, about 3 minutes. Fold in half into the pudding mixture. Set aside the other half for assembling.
• In a large trifle bowl or individual bowls, line your bowl with wafers. Spoon pudding mixture on top, then sliced bananas, then repeat until you are nearly to the top. Dollop your whipped cream on top. Garnish with more banana slices and/or vanilla wafers. Refrigerate for 2-3 hours or overnight.

How far ahead can you make this?

You can make this the pudding mixture up to 3 days in advance and then assemble the night before you want to eat it for the perfect soft Nilla wafers. If you’re short on time, I’d say the minimum time you want to stick the pudding in the refrigerator is about 2-3 hours.

How long can you refrigerate the pudding?

This pudding keeps for about 4 days from the time you make it to the time you eat it.

Other Delicious, Non-Chocolate Desserts

• If you’re a lemon lover like me, this Lemon Curd Tart with Shortbread Crust is everything.
• Oatmeal Butterscotch cookies are so delish — perfect for anyone who doesn’t love chocolate.
• If it’s blood orange season, this upside down cake is essential.
• Apples are always in season, so try this Easy Apple Pie with Puff Pastry
• How about blondie brownies?

Happy eating!
xox

kathryn

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