No-Bake Banana Pudding
No-Bake Banana Pudding is a classic Southern-inspired summer dessert made with layers of creamy vanilla pudding, ripe bananas, and Nilla wafers, all topped with fluffy whipped cream. Cold, comforting, and incredibly easy to prepare, it is perfect for parties, potlucks, and make-ahead entertaining.
Equipment
- mixing bowls
- hand mixer or stand mixer
- spatula
- trifle dish or 9x13 pan
- whisk
Ingredients
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 14 oz sweetened condensed milk
- 3.4 oz instant vanilla pudding mix
- 1 cup cold whole milk
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 4-5 ripe bananas, sliced
- 11 oz Nilla wafers
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream (for topping)
- 2 tbsp powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract (for topping)
Instructions
- Beat softened cream cheese in a large bowl until smooth and fluffy with no lumps.
- Add sweetened condensed milk, pudding mix, milk, and vanilla extract. Beat until thickened and smooth.
- In a separate bowl, whip heavy cream until stiff peaks form.
- Gently fold whipped cream into pudding mixture until light and airy.
- Chill pudding mixture for 15 minutes before assembling.
- Layer Nilla wafers on the bottom of a dish.
- Add a layer of banana slices over the wafers.
- Spread a layer of pudding mixture over bananas.
- Repeat layers until all ingredients are used, finishing with pudding on top.
- Whip remaining cream with powdered sugar and vanilla, then spread over the top.
- Garnish with wafers and banana slices, then refrigerate at least 4 hours or overnight.
- Serve cold directly from the refrigerator.
Notes
Use fully ripe bananas for best flavor. Chill at least 4 hours, preferably overnight, for optimal texture. Keep bananas covered within layers to prevent browning. Add topping and garnish shortly before serving for best presentation. Can be made in individual cups or one large dish.