There’s something incredibly comforting about a bowl of homemade Banana Pudding. This classic dessert, with its layers of creamy pudding, crunchy vanilla wafers, and sweet, ripe bananas, takes me back to my childhood. It’s a simple, yet decadent treat that never fails to satisfy my sweet tooth. The best part? It’s incredibly easy to make! With just a handful of ingredients, you can whip up this dessert in no time. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a novice in the kitchen, this recipe is sure to become a favorite. So, why do I love this Banana Pudding recipe? It’s all about the layers. The smooth, creamy vanilla pudding perfectly complements the crunch of the wafers and the sweetness of the bananas. Plus, it’s a great make-ahead dessert that only gets better with time. The flavors meld together beautifully, creating a dessert that’s sure to impress. I can’t wait for you to try it!
Ingredients
- 2 large pkg. instant vanilla pudding
- 1 (12 oz.) container Cool Whip
- 1 box vanilla wafers
- bananas (about 6)
Pudding Assembly
- Prepare pudding as directed on package. Stir in Cool Whip. Layer bottom of 9 x 13-inch dish with vanilla wafers. Top with 1/2 of the bananas. Pour 1/2 of the pudding mixture over that. Add another layer of vanilla wafers and bananas. Pour on remaining pudding mixture. Top with vanilla wafers. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
Calorie: 300
Total cooking time: 30 minutes
Difficulty level: Easy
Banana Pudding: The Excursion You Can Eat
We’ve all been there. It’s 3 a.m., and you’re scrolling through Pinterest, when you stumble across a recipe for easy banana pudding. “Easy?” you scoff, “There’s no such thing.” But oh, dear reader, there is such a thing, and I’m here to guide you through it.
The Ingredients
I began with the basics: 2 large packages of instant vanilla pudding, 1 (12 oz.) container of Cool Whip, 1 box of vanilla wafers, and about 6 bananas. The bananas were pleading for mercy from their fruit bowl, so I decided it was time to put them out of their misery, and into a dessert.
The Pudding Preparation
The first step? Prepare the pudding as directed on the package. Simple enough, right? Well, as it turns out, even instant pudding requires a bit of patience. Who knew? As I whisked the powder and milk together, I wondered if the “instant” in “instant vanilla pudding” was more of a guideline than a rule. But eventually, the lumps smoothed out and I was left with a bowl of creamy, delicious vanilla pudding.
The Cool Whip Conundrum
Next up was stirring in the Cool Whip. Now, I don’t know about you, but I’ve always found Cool Whip to be a bit of a paradox. It’s not quite cream, not quite ice cream, but somewhere wonderfully in between. As I folded it into the pudding, it created a fluffy cloud of creamy goodness that I had to resist eating right then and there.
The Wafer Wonderland
With my pudding concoction ready, it was time to create the first layer of my dessert. I grabbed my 9 x 13-inch dish and began to layer the bottom with vanilla wafers. As I meticulously arranged each wafer, I couldn’t help but feel like an architect, designing a delicious, edible building.
The Banana Bonanza
After the wafers, came the bananas. As I sliced and placed them, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of satisfaction. The bananas were no longer sad and overripe, they were stars of the show. I poured half of my pudding mixture over the bananas, creating a delicious blanket of creamy goodness.
The Final Layers
Then, another layer of vanilla wafers and bananas. I was feeling like a pro now, layering like it was my job. The second batch of pudding mixture went over the top and I finished it off with a final layer of vanilla wafers.
The Waiting Game
Now came the hardest part: the waiting. The dessert needed to be covered and refrigerated overnight. I’m not going to lie, it was tough. I may have even set an alarm for exactly 8 hours later.
The Morning After
When I awoke and removed the dish from the fridge, I was greeted with a sight that could make a grown man cry. A beautiful, layered dessert that was equal parts creamy, crunchy, and fruity. The bananas had melded with the pudding, the vanilla wafers had softened just slightly, and the whole thing was a testament to the power of patience (and instant pudding).
The Verdict
So, is easy banana pudding actually easy? In a word, yes. In three words, surprisingly, hilariously easy. It’s a sweet treat that’s as fun to make as it is to eat. And as for the bananas? They’re just happy to be included.
