Recipe Details

• Author: deesviral
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Chill Time: 4 hours
• Total Time: About 4 hours 20 minutes
• Yield: 10–12 servings
• Category: Dessert
• Cuisine: Southern American
• Keywords: banana pudding, Paula Deen banana pudding, no bake dessert, Southern pudding, deesviral recipes

Ingredients

• 1 box (12 oz) vanilla wafers
• 6 bananas, sliced
• 2 cups cold milk
• 1 box (5 oz) instant vanilla pudding mix
• 1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
• 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
• 1 container (12 oz) whipped topping, thawed

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, whisk together cold milk and instant pudding mix for about 2 minutes until thickened.
2. In another bowl, beat softened cream cheese until smooth.
3. Add sweetened condensed milk to the cream cheese and mix until creamy and fully combined.
4. Fold the pudding mixture into the cream cheese mixture until smooth.
5. Gently fold in the whipped topping until light and fluffy.
6. In a large serving dish or baking pan, layer vanilla wafers on the bottom followed by sliced bananas.
7. Spread part of the pudding mixture over the banana layer.
8. Repeat the layers until all ingredients are used, finishing with pudding on top.
9. Top with extra crushed vanilla wafers if desired.
10. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight, before serving.

Helpful Tips

• Use ripe but firm bananas for the best texture.
• Chilling overnight gives the wafers a soft cake-like texture.
• Add extra whipped topping for a lighter finish.
• Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Why This Recipe Works

The combination of cream cheese, pudding, and whipped topping creates a rich yet airy filling that perfectly coats the bananas and wafers. As the dessert chills, the cookies soften into a creamy cake-like texture that makes this pudding extra comforting and irresistible.