Some like it hot…
…and judging by how quickly this dessert disappeared, some like it cold, too. I’m talking about good, old-fashioned banana pudding, of course. Me? I like it cold… okay, and hot, too! My grandmother used to make a homemade one that was served warm and oh, how I wish I had the recipe for it. But, since I don’t and it’s summer, this cold and creamy one will do just fine. It’s really easy to make and let me tell you, pretty darn good. Here you go:
Cold & Creamy Banana Pudding
1 (14-ounce) can Eagle Brand Sweetened Condensed Milk
1 1/2 cups cold water
1 (3.5 ounce) package instant pudding and pie filling
2 cups (1 pint) whipped cream, whipped*
36 vanilla wafers
3 medium bananas, sliced and dipped in lemon juice
- In a large mixing bowl, combine sweetened condensed milk and water.
- Add pudding mix and beat until well blended.
- Chill 5 minutes in refrigerator.
- Fold in whipped topping. (Do this slowly and as few times as you possible to combine, so the mixture will retain its thickness.)
- Spoon 1 cup pudding mixture into 2 1/2 quart glass serving bowl.
- Top with 1/3 each of wafers, bananas and pudding. Repeat twice.
- Garnish as desired.
- Chill thoroughly. Refrigerate any leftovers.
You can also layer in individual serving dishes.
* I’m not quite clear what “whipped cream, whipped” means, but I just used Cool Whip and let it thaw slightly before I started to fold. It may work even better if you let it thaw in the fridge before using.
Update – I’ve learned it may also be heavy whipping cream that is whipped. If you can find Borden whipping cream, which I can’t, then that’s it. Either way, It will be good!
Recipe from Great American Favorite Brand Name Cookbook, 1993.
And here are some warm homemade versions. I’ll have to try one of these someday and see if it compares to my grandmother’s.
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YUM! I have been thinking about banana pudding from my childhood, too! Hey, I wonder how you could incorporate a Nilla Cakester into that ~ that would be DEVINE!
Angela
July 7, 2008 02:09 AMangela – I like the way you think!
July 7, 2008 03:16 AMOMG!! decadent, simple and no doubt absolutely divine…..the pictures are fabulous, but i am guessing the pudding was better than it looks in the pics!!
July 7, 2008 03:21 AMoh. my. banana pudding is definitely one of my favorite “feel like a kid again” desserts, and this recipe just sounds waaaay to good to pass up! :)
July 7, 2008 03:26 AMthis is my mom’s go-to dessert for the holidays. it used to be my most favorite too, and then i became allergic to bananas. weird, eh?
anyways, i saw these pictures on flickr and i just had to say how tempting you make this look. i am trying to decide if it would be worth the difficulty breathing and pains for a few bites of yummy banana pudding. :) your pictures make it very hard to be sensible.
July 7, 2008 03:33 AMOh Yummy! I think I’ll feel about 8 years old when I eat this. Two of my fav things from childhood: banana pudding and Nilla wafers! I haven’t eaten Nilla wafers in years.
July 7, 2008 04:24 AMWhen I make banana pudding I just make a sort of vanilla pudding pie filling (with flour, cornstarch, three eggs, whole milk, and high-quality vanilla and butter). Amazing, but lemon juice is a good add-in, I suppose, to keep the bananas yummy-looking. Your pictures are amazing and I check the blog every day for new ones… What kind of camera do you use? P.S.You are too too sweet to answer every blog comment personally!
July 7, 2008 04:50 AMMy mom says my Grandma makes hers hot, she just uses the pudding that you cook instead of instant, and serves it up fast. Probably not the same thing. But still yummy!
July 7, 2008 05:20 AMOMG, I love banana pudding. But alas… can’t get any of the ingredients here in Germany. I so miss American convenience foods. Can you believe I can’t even get Nilla Wafers here? Sob.
July 7, 2008 05:55 AMBut anyway, your pudding looks super yummy.
Bakerella: FYI…I am sure you knew this, because you truly are an amazing baker, but “whipped cream, whipped” is just another way of saying “heavy whipping cream, whipped”. So you’d whip it up with your mixer and add vanilla and powder sugar (I add the powder sugar to sweeten it up a bit–don’t like my whipped cream plain). Basically, you are just making whipped cream from scratch…
July 7, 2008 06:31 AMOh, my… If I were Marilyn it sould be very difficult for me to choose between eating this treat or get into those beautiful and tight skirts.
But I’m not Marilyn and… Nobody is perfect! so… Give me a big big big cup of this dessert, PLEASE.
July 7, 2008 06:52 AMI LOVE everything you do! And guess what? I finally broke down and made some cupcake bites! I have been dying to make some! They were so fun to make! Check it out: http://jasonandamyroper.blogspot.com/
July 7, 2008 07:00 AMYou are such an inspiration! THANKS, BAKERELLA!
OMG…I owe you big time! As a Yankee trying to stumble my way through life in the South, I will score big time with this recipe! THANKS!!!
July 7, 2008 07:11 AMJust love all your lovely desserts! yummy!
Hugs,
Robyn
P.S. Stop by my blog and say hello!
July 7, 2008 07:41 AMomg that looks to die for!!
July 7, 2008 08:26 AMi can’t believe that there are people who’ve never tasted banana pudding. i feel so much sorrow for them, because when it’s done right (like yours), there are very few things more tasty. beautiful work!
July 7, 2008 09:41 AMYour photos are always awesome! I bet my DIL would love this pudding! (me too!)
July 7, 2008 10:00 AMarundati – it was gooooood.
Dana – it does bring back happy memories.
*mindi* – that’s too bad. Don’t be tempted. we want you to keep breathing.
The Flirty Girl – Go get some!
spearle – thanks and the lemon trick is great, huh.
I use a canon rebel xti.
Beth Paulson – I’m sure.
Liz – who knew these things are so hard to find overseas. At least you have pics to whet your appetite.
Anonymous – ohhhhh, that makes sense. The actual recipe calls for 2 cups Borden or meadow gold whipping cream, whipped. So I could never find that and used cool whip. Maybe I’ve been doing it wrong all these years. But it’s still good. I’ll have to look at your suggestion and try it.
Thanks.
morgana – me too.
The Roper’s – Yay! I’m glad you did.
Lauriebelle – good luck.
Robyn – thanks and I will.
Iron Chef Shellie – thanks!
Grace – It is good. Everyone should try at least once.
HoneyB – Bet they would.
July 7, 2008 10:30 AMI have made a recipe similar to this one recently. I used real heavy cream and whipped it. I recently purchased whipping cream to whip up for the same reason. I think the pudding is richer and better with whipped cream. I have tried cool whip as well. The recipe I tried is from a restaurant on the west coast. It is the best I have ever had I think.
July 7, 2008 11:57 AMgreat picture! im drooling hehe I love banana pudding just as much as I love chocolate :)
July 7, 2008 01:06 PMThis is a staple around my place. One of my favorite summer desserts of all time. I love it with fresh cut strawberries layered in!
July 7, 2008 01:08 PMYum…this is my dad’s favorite! I’ll have to make it for him sometime!
July 7, 2008 03:12 PMWhen I was a kid, my mom used to make me “banana pudding” that was simply mashed bananas. Nowadays, summertime and barbecue always put me in the mood for the real version. I’ll have to give yours a try for my family reunion this weekend.
(Forgive me if this is a double post. Blogger is giving me issues.)
July 7, 2008 03:51 PMwe’ve been on vacation…i always love the stuff you do! Love the patriotic pops too!
July 7, 2008 05:19 PMMmmm, that looks great!
July 7, 2008 06:55 PMthat looks so good, another one to add to my list.
Gill
July 7, 2008 06:58 PMThis is so drool worthy!
July 7, 2008 08:19 PMOh my! I love banana pudding. I’m definitely making this one.
July 8, 2008 03:50 PMLove the pudding – we both have exactly the same post up in different configurations.
July 8, 2008 05:44 PMThat looks so YUMMY!! I am definately going to make that! I am including my husband’s grandmother’s warm banana pudding recipe. It is probably pretty close to any grandma’s! :) Enjoy!
Aimee
Grandma’s Banana Pudding
3/4 Cup of Sugar 2 Cups Milk
1/4 Cup of Flour 1 tsp. Vanilla
Dash of Salt 2 Tbsp. Margarine or butter
3 eggs, separated 3 Bananas and Vanilla Wafers
Measure sugar, flour and salt and pour into small mixing bowl. In heavy sauce pan heat
l 2/3 cup of the milk to boiling over medium heat while mixing dry ingredients with egg yolks
and remaining l/3 cup of cold milk. Pour this into hot milk and stir until it thickens. Take off
the burner and add Vanilla and margarine. Let this mixture cool before adding to the bananas.
Layer Vanilla wafers in bottom of baking dish (app. 6×8″ to 8×8″). Cover this layer with sliced bananas and a layer of pudding. Repeat layers with pudding on top. Cover with meringue and bake l0 to l5 minutes at 350 degrees or until meringue is brown. I usually set oven for l0 minutes and check to see if it is brown.
Meringue
3 egg whites
2 heaping Tbsps. Sugar
Beat egg whites until stiff. Add sugar and beat until sugar is dissolved and meringue is stiff.
Spread over the pudding, sealing to the edge of the baking dish.
Note: If pudding is thicker than you like it, you can use a little less flour. Also you can use less margarine if you like.
July 8, 2008 09:45 PMYou sure know how to bring back memories.
July 9, 2008 12:05 AMno nilla wafers here or cool whip – I have just baked some buttercake mini muffins to use instead… and hopefully you are right on the cram – we have lots of cream in Australia but it is the whip yourself variety… i am making this into a Sand bucket looking cake for my daughters 2nd birthday
July 9, 2008 12:55 AMAny reason for the insistence on Borden whipping cream?
July 9, 2008 02:35 AMWow wow wow!! I found your blog through someone elses and am soooo excited to go home and try all these AWESOME things out!! :)
July 9, 2008 09:33 AMI made the cake and it was delicious!! soo good… go here for my entry
http://comber-family.blogspot.com/2008/07/cake.html
and above mention we have no such brand as Bordens I used regular “thickened cream” it is called in australia and whipped it with the beaters.. mine came out thicker than bakerellas picture.. but it tasted so good!!
July 9, 2008 10:42 AMWow! I just found your blog and i’m so inspired now…! love all your stuff.
July 9, 2008 01:14 PMI am inspired! I think I’ll make it today!
July 9, 2008 02:25 PMFYI—they meant “whipping cream, whipped” (not “whippED cream, whippped since as you can see, that doesn’t make much sense!) as in you buy heavy cream and then whip it yourself. Looks great!
July 9, 2008 05:11 PMI heart you…bananas are absolutely divine…but banana pudding with nilla wafers…to die for! Thank you for reminding me of this wonderful treat. Now I have to go make some!
July 9, 2008 10:09 PMOH. My. GOODNESS!!!!!!!! A girl from the south is drooling over here!
And Nilla Cakesters added to this… oh yeah!!!
July 9, 2008 10:25 PMThose look so yummy! I just found your site and everything looks absolutely delicious! And fun!
July 10, 2008 12:33 AMThat’s a great looking recipe – I also like Paula Dean’s version http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/recipes/recipe/0,,FOOD_9936_21275,00.html
July 10, 2008 03:22 AMbut instead of Chessmen, I like to use ginger snaps. Evil good.
i love the way you photograph food! the banana pudding is one of my favorites cold or hot.
steph
July 10, 2008 04:24 AMMy Dad makes this every year for the holidays, only we use whipped cream instead of Cool Whip. I love, love, love it!!!!
July 10, 2008 02:47 PMI haven’t had that recipe in years… My girlfriend use to make it all the time… We live across the United States from each other… I wish she was here to share it… I am going to make some for the kids:)
July 10, 2008 03:15 PMYour blog is great and I can’t wait to try some of your yummy creations. Thanks for sharing.
July 10, 2008 04:30 PM~Jill
OOOh yum! one of my favorites!
July 10, 2008 06:28 PMYou take the absolute BEST photos of food EVER!
July 10, 2008 09:28 PMOne of my favorite desserts. At the Magnolia Bakery in NYC, I will often walk right by the cupcakes and right to the banana nilla wafer pudding there!! This one looks like a keeper of a recipe.
July 10, 2008 10:31 PMMy son said this morning: “Mpm, please make us something sweet….and more sweet!
July 11, 2008 10:02 AMI think this will qualify.
Oh, I LOVE banana pudding! Lucille’s barbecue restaurant has a delicious one. I will have to try this recipe!
July 11, 2008 03:40 PMPS. I’m having a giveaway on my blog if anyone is interested!
July 11, 2008 03:41 PMLaurie Anne – I’m definitely going to have to try it that way.
jamie b – yeah, that pic makes me want some more.
Kara – that sounds yummy, too!
gingela5 – it’s one of my mom’s faves, too.
Toni – I think you’ll like it better than mashed bananas.
lfamily5 – hope you had fun, and thanks.
Jaina – it was.
Gill – That British Woman – if your list is like mine, i’ll have to bake twice a day to make everything on it.
Mevrouw Cupcake – thank you
Amy – good luck.
giz – great minds…
aimee – Thanks a bunch!!!!!!!
pam – hope they’re good ones.
Bobbie – I bet it will be great.
Lindsey – No, just the cookbook I found the recipe in is a brand name foods cookbook and that’s the one it recommended. So I thought I would pass it along.
Chell – Have fun!
Bobbie – Great job and great fun!
Dot – thank you!
Christine – I think I’m going to make another one today, too!
anja3582 – yeah, I figured that out afterwards, but, trust me the whipped cream way is really tasty.
Julia – Enjoy!
Melissa Lewis – Off The Wall 0 I’m just going to have to try some of those Nilla Cakesters.
Crabb Family – thank you!
kaymaria – evil good is right!
Steph H. – I know, it’s always good.
Sarah – thanks
Shelly G & Hope P – Hope it comes out great.
Urmston Family – you’re welcome.
Leslie – mine too!
BMoreSweet – Why, thanks!!
Cakespy – I hope I can try some there one day!
Nina’s Kitchen (Nina Timm) – hope you love it.
http://www.adorn-jewelry.blogspot.com – thanks for the info.
July 11, 2008 03:50 PMoooommmmmmggggg!!! hee i’m from hong kong~~~ i just find out yr website n i started screaming reading all your posts!!! they are sooooooooooo cute!! i luv all the cupcakes pops!! n i wish i can make some one day!!!!
they are reli great~~
July 11, 2008 06:36 PMyr cupcakes are popping around the world hoho!! :)
This is one of my all time favorites!! Looks divine!
July 11, 2008 06:48 PMWOW, I didn’t know that just this morning I tasted a sweet treat from a TV star!
July 11, 2008 11:44 PMThe more I scroll down the hungrier I get. May I try some of your recipes?
BTW, I just finished a workshop part of which was taught by Mike.
Banana pudding is a HUGE dessert in my family during the holidays…it’s such a great treat! I’ve just stumbled upon your blog, and all of your baking ideas are wonderful! I love to bake (as you can see from my blog,haha), so I can’t wait to try your ideas!
July 12, 2008 02:45 PMOk you make your banana pudding exactly like me but you are missing the package of cream cheese. Add the cream cheese, condensed milk together. Oh. My. Goodness. My grandma used to make the best cold banana pudding but my recipe surpassed hers with the cream cheese, condensed milk, and whipped cream. Your dessert looks heavenly!!!
The best part is you can make it fat free with fat free cream cheese and whipped cream.
July 12, 2008 04:14 PMYou are missing the cream cheese!!
July 12, 2008 06:13 PMThat looks delicious! I love the look of the trifle dish too. Such a lovely blog.
July 12, 2008 08:38 PMI made this yesterday to have for today. Oh my Goodness!!! That is yummy…..mmmm….good
Thanks so much for sharing
July 13, 2008 01:48 AMhttp://www.hisdreammyreality.blogspot.com
July 13, 2008 06:03 AMmakes me sad…..I used to ADORE banana pudding until they changed the vanilla wafer recipe and made them sweeter. Now I don’t make it anymore….neither do either of my sisters………..but seeing that REALLY makes me want some…….
July 13, 2008 06:50 PMWe would like to feature this recipe on our blog. Please email haleyglasco@gmail.com if interested. Thanks :)
Haley
http://blog.keyingredient.com/
July 14, 2008 06:08 PMAnonymous – Hi in Hong Kong! Glad you like the site!
Leslie – me too!
Princess – sure you may try!
Allison – try away!
misspro312 – that sounds like a great twist!
vicki – thanks… I just learned that works, too
jeri – thank you. I found the individual dishes as Kroger
Tina – glad you liked it.
val – I guess I like mine sweet.
Haley – thanks for the invite.
July 14, 2008 11:04 PMI am most certainly going to try this for sure! My Watkins banana pudding mix is going to be fantastic in this! Thanks for sharing!
July 16, 2008 07:06 PMYou’re welcome Cindy!
July 17, 2008 12:01 AMThis looks so incredibly good! I love banana pudding! I am definitely going to have to test out the recipe. I think this would make a perfect midnight snack at a reception!
July 20, 2008 10:41 PMthat looks so good…have it on my list of things to cook this week. Double Yum!!!
July 22, 2008 11:26 PMTHis is divine! I used milk instead of water, however, and I also used real cream. SO GOOD!
July 25, 2008 06:48 PMMadelyn @ Southern Weddings – Just keep it cold and it will be yummy.
Deshona – enjoy
http://www.adorn-jewelry.blogspot.com – that does sound good.
July 25, 2008 09:40 PMI’m making this for dessert tonight!!! YUM ;)
Stevie
July 31, 2008 12:47 AMThat looks so good!
August 28, 2008 10:36 PMOh… oh my god! You’ve taken my breath away once again!!
August 28, 2008 11:11 PMHave mercy..
August 29, 2008 12:24 AMSugarLoveHoney – hope you love it.
Kevin – Thanks Kevin
Tarah – catch your breath because more sweetness is coming.
Mia – no, have a bite.
August 29, 2008 02:19 AMThis is so not on my diet – But Oh Well… This is worth cheating for.
August 29, 2008 04:50 AMIt has bananas, so don’t worry about it.
August 31, 2008 02:01 PMi love it!!!!!love love love! i live in DR and i thought that they didn’t bring the Jell-o brand but i went to different supermarkets and i found it!Yei! i was so happy i think the whole supermarket noticed (giggles).
September 9, 2008 06:10 PMI’m gonna try doing it with a lemon flavored pudding! Yum!
Good luck!
September 10, 2008 01:00 AMYummy! My coworker makes something similar – hers calls for 2 cups milk, 1 8oz container sour cream, 1 big box vanilla pudding, 1 container cool whip, and 1 can condensed milk with the nilla wafers and bananas. It’s the best banana pudding I’ve ever had – I’m sure yours tastes similar. :) I love, love, love your blog! :)
October 30, 2008 10:45 PMThanks Donna Sue
November 3, 2008 03:24 AMhi. i can remeber banana pudding from when i was little, i live in the united kingdom now. i am looking for away to make it becuase in britain they do not have coolwhip and the other american ingrediants, does anybody know a good recipe i could use? would be much appricated.
March 15, 2009 07:56 PMYou can use heavy whipping cream (whipped) instead of the cool whip.
March 16, 2009 04:59 AMThat looks so good! I always add sour cream to mine. This one is always a crowd pleaser!
July 6, 2009 01:36 AMHi there Bakerella
November 17, 2009 11:34 PMI’m an Aussie baker and we just don’t have the same variety of packaged ingredients here as you do in the USA, hence my big question – what IS pudding and pie mix? I’m hoping if I get a clue as to the ingredients I might be able to find something similar on our shelves… I’m wonderinf if it might be similar to a custart powder, the picture looks close…
I wish I could eat some banana pudding right now, it looks delicious!!
What deliciousness – here’s what i used
http://brands.kraftfoods.com/JELLO/products/pudding/instant-pudding-and-pie-filling/
November 25, 2009 07:16 PM