The Ultimate Magnolia Bakery Banana Pudding From Scratch Recipe

Creamy, dreamy magnolia bakery banana pudding has captured dessert lovers’ hearts with its irresistible charm.

Sweet layers of comfort await your spoon in this iconic treat.

New york’s beloved bakery inspired countless home cooks to recreate this classic dessert.

Vanilla-soaked cookies mingle with ripe bananas, creating a symphony of textures and flavors.

Homemade pudding forms the rich, silky foundation that sets this recipe apart from store-bought versions.

Each spoonful promises a nostalgic journey through childhood memories and comforting indulgence.

Whip up this magical recipe and watch faces light up with pure joy.

FAQs

• Is this a complex recipe to make?

No, it’s relatively simple. The steps are straightforward, and most home cooks can easily follow the detailed instructions. The recipe requires basic cooking skills like whisking, simmering, and layering.

• What makes the pudding so creamy?

The secret is in the homemade custard base and whipped cream. By carefully cooking the egg and milk mixture and folding in whipped cream, you create an incredibly smooth and rich texture.

• Can I use different cookies instead of Nilla Wafers?

Definitely! While Nilla Wafers are traditional, you can substitute with graham crackers, shortbread cookies, or any similar crisp cookie that complements the banana flavor.

What Makes Magnolia Bakery Banana Pudding Great

• Craft Your Dessert Masterpiece: This banana pudding transforms ordinary ingredients into a stunning, restaurant-quality treat that feels like a professional bakery creation.
• Customize with Ease: Adapt the recipe by adjusting banana ripeness, trying different cookie types, or scaling portions to suit your gathering's size and preferences.
• Crowd-Pleasing Comfort Classic: Perfect for potlucks, family gatherings, and summer parties, this dessert brings nostalgic memories and pure happiness to every spoonful.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the entire dessert in advance, allowing flavors to meld and saving precious time before serving, making it ideal for stress-free entertaining.

Ingredients for Magnolia Bakery Banana Pudding

• Milk: A creamy foundation that helps create the smooth pudding texture.
• Eggs: Provide richness and help thicken the pudding mixture.
• Cornstarch: Ensures the pudding reaches the perfect smooth and thick consistency.

• Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps balance the flavors of the dessert.
• Sweetened Condensed Milk: Contributes additional sweetness and creaminess to the whipped cream.

• Vanilla: Adds a warm, classic flavor to the pudding.
• Nilla Wafers, Bananas: Provide delightful crunch and fruity layers in the dessert.
• Heavy Cream: Creates a light and fluffy whipped cream topping.
• Salt: Enhances and balances the overall flavor profile.

How to Prepare Magnolia Bakery Banana Pudding

Step 1: Whisk Pudding Base

Create a smooth pudding foundation by combining cornstarch, sugar, and salt in a small bowl. Whip eggs until they become light and airy.

Gradually blend the cornstarch mixture into the eggs, ensuring a silky consistency. Warm milk with sugar in a saucepan, then gently stream the hot liquid into the egg mixture while whisking constantly to prevent clumping.

Step 2: Cook and Chill Pudding

Transfer the mixture back to the saucepan, add vanilla, and cook over medium-high heat. Continuously whisk the pudding until it thickens and becomes creamy (about 6-7 minutes).

Pour into a bowl, cover the surface directly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 3 hours to set completely.

Step 3: Prepare Fluffy Whipped Cream

• Cold heavy cream
• Sweetened condensed milk

Beat at high speed until the mixture becomes light and billowy (approximately 5 minutes).

Gently fold the whipped cream into the chilled pudding, creating a cloud-like texture.

Step 4: Prepare Wafer Layers

Crush Nilla wafers using a rolling pin inside a sealed plastic bag.

Break them into varied sizes for textural interest.

Step 5: Build Delicious Layers

• Spreading a thin pudding base
• Adding whole Nilla wafers
• Sprinkling crushed wafers
• Layering sliced bananas
• Repeating the process until the dish is full

Finish with a final pudding layer and decorative wafer garnish.

Step 6: Chill and Serve

Cover the dessert and refrigerate for at least 4 hours to allow flavors to meld. Serve chilled, garnishing with extra banana slices and wafer crumbs for a stunning presentation.

Tips for Magnolia Bakery Banana Pudding

• Whisk the egg mixture constantly and slowly add hot milk to ensure a smooth, lump-free consistency.
• Refrigerate the pudding and assembled dessert for the recommended time to allow flavors to meld and achieve the perfect creamy texture.
• Crush Nilla wafers just before assembling to maintain their crisp texture and prevent sogginess.
• Slice bananas just before layering to prevent browning and maintain their fresh appearance and flavor.
• Prepare the dessert a day in advance for enhanced flavor development and stress-free entertaining.

Different Versions of Magnolia Bakery Banana Pudding

• Chocolate Banana Pudding: Add cocoa powder to the pudding mixture for a rich chocolate flavor, and sprinkle chocolate shavings between layers.
• Tropical Banana Pudding: Mix in shredded coconut and top with toasted macadamia nuts for a Hawaiian-inspired dessert.
• Salted Caramel Banana Pudding: Drizzle homemade salted caramel sauce between layers and garnish with caramel crumbles.
• Berry Banana Pudding: Layer fresh strawberries or raspberries alongside bananas for a fruity summer version.

Pairing Suggestions for Magnolia Bakery Banana Pudding

• Sip Creamy Chai Latte: The warm spices of chai beautifully complement the sweet banana pudding, creating a rich and harmonious flavor experience that enhances the dessert's creamy texture.
• Enjoy Smooth Cold Brew: The deep, bold coffee notes cut through the pudding's sweetness, providing a refreshing contrast and cleansing the palate between each delicious spoonful.
• Indulge with Moscato Wine: This light, sweet white wine mirrors the dessert's sugary profile, offering a gentle alcohol hint that elevates the banana pudding's luxurious feel without overwhelming its delicate flavors.

Storing Magnolia Bakery Banana Pudding

Store the banana pudding in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Cover tightly with plastic wrap to prevent absorption of other food odors and maintain freshness.

Do not freeze the entire dessert, as bananas and wafers will become mushy. If absolutely necessary, freeze only the pudding base for up to 2 months in a freezer-safe container.

Place sliced bananas in a layer of pudding to minimize oxidation and prevent quick browning when storing in the refrigerator.

Remove the pudding from the refrigerator 10-15 minutes before serving to allow it to soften slightly and enhance its creamy texture.

The Magnolia Bakery Banana Pudding (From Scratch) Recipe

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4.8 from 24 reviews

• Total Time: 32 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Magnolia Bakery’s banana pudding delivers pure comfort with creamy layers of sweetness and nostalgic charm. Silky vanilla custard, ripe bananas, and vanilla wafers create a delightful dessert sure to impress when you serve this classic New York treat.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 4 large ripe bananas
• 4 cups mini Nilla wafers
• 2 cups whole milk
• 2 large eggs

Pudding Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 2 teaspoons cornstarch
• 8 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 1 pinch salt

Cream Ingredients:

• 2 cups heavy cream, cold
• 1 tablespoon sweetened condensed milk

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Instructions

1. Craft the silky pudding base by whisking cornstarch, sugar, and salt into a smooth mixture. Vigorously beat eggs until they transform into a fluffy, light texture.
2. Heat milk and remaining sugar in a saucepan until it reaches a gentle simmer at medium-high temperature, approximately 5 minutes. Carefully stream the hot liquid into the egg mixture, stirring continuously to prevent curdling.
3. Return the combined liquid to the saucepan, incorporate vanilla, and cook while whisking constantly. Continue until the mixture thickens substantially, around 6-7 minutes. Transfer to a bowl and refrigerate for 3 hours, covering the surface with plastic wrap.
4. Prepare the creamy whipped component by beating cold heavy cream and sweetened condensed milk on high speed until it develops a luxurious, airy consistency, roughly 5 minutes.
5. Gently integrate the whipped cream into the chilled pudding, creating a harmonious blend. Refrigerate until assembly time.
6. Crush Nilla wafers using a rolling pin inside a sealed plastic bag, creating a mixture of fine and coarse crumbs.
7. Begin layering by spreading a thin pudding base in your serving dish. Arrange whole wafers and sprinkle crushed wafers.
8. Add a pudding layer, then strategically place sliced bananas across the surface.
9. Repeat the layering process, alternating between pudding, whole wafers, crushed wafers, and banana slices.
10. Complete the dessert with a final pudding layer, decorating with additional wafers for visual appeal.
11. Seal with plastic wrap and refrigerate for a minimum of 4 hours to allow flavors to meld and texture to set.
12. Serve chilled, portioning into individual dishes and garnishing with extra banana slices and wafer fragments.

Notes

• Prevent Banana Browning by tossing sliced bananas in a little lemon juice to maintain their fresh, creamy white appearance and stop oxidation.
• Make Ahead Friendly by preparing pudding and components up to 2 days in advance, which helps develop richer flavors and saves time before serving.
• Dairy-Free Alternative can be created by substituting whole milk with coconut milk and using dairy-free whipped cream for a delicious vegan version.
• Temperature Matters when chilling pudding and assembling layers, ensuring each component is properly cooled to maintain perfect texture and prevent separation.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 380 kcal
• Sugar: 38 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 11 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0.2 g
• Carbohydrates: 52 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 110 mg