Joanna Gaines’ Cozy Banana Pudding Recipe
Joanna Gaines’ Cozy Banana Pudding Recipe features layers of pudding, bananas, and whipped cream for a soft, sweet dessert perfect for family nights.
Equipment
- Mixing bowls (medium and large)
- Hand mixer or stand mixer
- Whisk
- Rubber spatula
- Measuring cups and spoons.
- 9×13-inch baking dish or trifle dish
- Saucepan (if making pudding from scratch)
- Knife and cutting board
Ingredients
- 4 ripe bananas sliced
- 1 box 11 oz vanilla wafers
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 package 5 oz instant vanilla pudding mix (or homemade equivalent)
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 3 tablespoons powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 can 14 oz sweetened condensed milk
- 1 package 8 oz cream cheese, softened
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the pudding base
- In a large bowl, whisk together the pudding mix and milk until smooth. Let it sit for about 5 minutes to thicken slightly. This gives your pudding that rich, creamy base.
Step 2: Make the cream cheese mixture
- In another bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth. Add the sweetened condensed milk and mix until fully combined and silky. This step is key—it adds depth and richness to the dessert.
Step 3: Combine mixtures
- Gently fold the pudding into the cream cheese mixture. Take your time here—overmixing can make it too dense.
Step 4: Whip the cream
- In a separate bowl, whip the heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla extract until soft peaks form. Fold this into the pudding mixture for a light, airy texture.
Step 5: Layer the dessert
- Start with a layer of vanilla wafers at the bottom of your dish. Add a layer of sliced bananas, then spread a layer of pudding mixture. Repeat until all ingredients are used, finishing with pudding on top.
Step 6: Chill
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight if possible. This allows the flavors to blend and the wafers to soften beautifully.
Notes
- Use ripe bananas with a few brown spots for the best sweetness.
- Don’t skip chilling time—it’s essential for texture.
- Fold ingredients gently to keep the pudding light.
- Use high-quality vanilla extract for deeper flavor.
- Layer evenly so every bite has all components.