Miss Confection

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Inspired by Magnolia Bakery 🇺🇸 New York City, United States Kid-friendly

Banana Pudding Inspired by Magnolia Bakery

Creamy vanilla pudding, ripe bananas and soft vanilla wafers in every spoonful

Prep
25 min
Cook
—
Total
8 hr 25 min
Yield
12 servings
Level
Easy
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The legend behind it

Magnolia Bakery opened on a corner of Bleecker Street in New York's West Village in 1996. Its pastel cupcakes became a sensation after an appearance on Sex and the City, but regulars will tell you that the real star is the banana pudding. It became one of the bakery's bestsellers, and lines still form for tubs of it at Magnolia's shops around the world.

Banana pudding itself is a Southern classic, popular in American cookbooks since the late 19th century, when bananas became widely available. The vanilla wafer version took off in the 20th century, and Magnolia's twist is wonderfully simple: a lusciously creamy pudding made from instant vanilla pudding, sweetened condensed milk and whipped cream, layered with bananas and wafers and chilled until the cookies turn cake-soft.

This is our home version inspired by Magnolia Bakery, not their official recipe. No oven required, so it is a perfect one to make with kids: they can whisk, slice bananas and build the layers.

This is our own home recipe inspired by the dessert served at Magnolia Bakery. It is not the official recipe and we are not affiliated with Magnolia Bakery.

Tips for success

  • Choose bananas that are yellow with a few brown freckles for the best flavor without mushiness.
  • The long chill is what turns the wafers soft, so do not rush it.
  • Serve within 2 days; the bananas darken the longer it sits.
  • Assemble in individual jars for easy, portable servings.

Banana Pudding Inspired by Magnolia Bakery

This easy no-bake banana pudding recipe, inspired by Magnolia Bakery in NYC, layers creamy vanilla pudding, fresh bananas and vanilla wafers. A crowd-pleasing make-ahead dessert.

Prep
25 min
Cook
—
Total
8 hr 25 min
Yield
12 servings
Calories
~480/serving

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Beat the sweetened condensed milk and ice-cold water together in a large bowl for about 1 minute, until well combined.
  2. Add the instant pudding mix and beat for 2 minutes. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight, until firm.
  3. Whip the cold heavy cream to stiff peaks.
  4. Gently fold the whipped cream into the chilled pudding until no streaks remain.
  5. Arrange one-third of the vanilla wafers over the bottom of a large glass bowl or 9x13-inch dish, then add one-third of the banana slices and one-third of the pudding. Repeat twice, finishing with pudding.
  6. Cover and refrigerate for 4 to 8 hours, until the wafers are soft and cake-like.
  7. Garnish with crumbled wafers just before serving.

Tools we use

Recipe from Miss Confection · https://missconfection.com/recipe/banana-pudding-inspired-by-magnolia-bakery

Questions, answered

How long does banana pudding need to chill?

At least 4 hours after assembling, and up to 8, so the wafers soften into a cake-like layer.

How do you keep bananas from browning in banana pudding?

Layer them fully under the pudding so they are not exposed to air, and serve within a day or two.

Can you make banana pudding the day before?

Yes. It is at its best made the morning of or the day before serving.

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