Chocolate Southern Banana Pudding
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What happens when you take a beloved soul food classic and add a rich, chocolatey twist? You get Black folks’ Southern chocolate banana pudding, a decadent spin on a traditional recipe that still tastes like home. This dessert layers the creamy comfort of homemade chocolate pudding with sweet banana slices and softened vanilla wafers, creating a bite that’s both nostalgic and next-level delicious.
It’s the kind of dish that turns heads at the cookout and leaves no leftovers at Sunday dinner. Rooted in Southern tradition yet bold enough to break the mold, this chocolate banana pudding is love in a bowl, infused with a touch of soulful cocoa flair!
Banana pudding with chocolate pudding
Chocolate banana pudding is a delightful dessert that layers sweet bananas, rich chocolate pudding, buttery Nilla Wafers, and fluffy whipped cream. It’s a treat the whole family will love!
Just like my classic Southern banana pudding recipe, this chocolate twist is quick, easy, and irresistibly delicious. The only difference? A decadent layer of chocolate pudding, paired with the sweet bananas and crunchy, golden cookies, takes this recipe to the next level.
Ingredients
This recipe incorporates two layers of rich and creamy pudding, one classic vanilla and the other a sweet, chocolatey decadence. Yum! It has everything you’d expect from traditional banana pudding: ripe bananas, buttery Nilla Wafers, and that comforting, whipped creamy texture. Except this version adds a bold twist with the addition of chocolate pudding, creating a flavor contrast that’s both nostalgic and indulgent. The combination of vanilla and chocolate layers makes each bite a surprise, blending the familiar with a little something extra for the chocolate lovers at the table.
How to make chocolate banana pudding
This chocolate banana pudding recipe is quick, easy, and packed with rich, flavorful goodness. It adds a rich layer of chocolate pudding alongside sweet banana slices and those crunchy, buttery Nilla Wafers.
The main difference? Instead of using two layers of classic vanilla pudding, this version swaps in chocolate for the second layer—nestled right between the bananas, cookies, and a generous topping of whipped cream. It’s a simple change that adds a decadent, chocolatey surprise to every bite.
How to store it
Chocolate banana pudding will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 3 days when stored in an airtight container and covered tightly with plastic wrap.
Spoiler alert: By day three, the bananas might not look picture-perfect. But don’t let that fool you. The flavor stays just as rich, creamy, and delicious as ever!
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Equipment
- 2 qt. round glass bowl, preferably with a lid Or a 9×13 baking dish (preferably with a lid)
Ingredients
- 3 bananas ripe and sliced into banana rounds
- 8 oz whipped cream 1 container
- 8 oz cream cheese 1 container of softened or whipped cream cheese
- 4.6 oz chocolate pudding instant, or cook & serve chocolate pudding
- 4.6 oz vanilla pudding instant, or cook & serve vanilla pudding
- 11 oz Nilla Wafers 1 box and ¼ cup of crumbled Nilla Wafers cookies
Instructions
- Make the chocolate pudding according to the box instructions and set it aside in the refrigerator.
- Make the vanilla pudding according to the box instructions and set it aside in the fridge.
- Mix the whipped topping and cream cheese in a medium-sized bowl and set aside.
- Line the bottom and sides of a baking pan or dish with Nilla Wafers cookies.
- Add a layer of sliced bananas over the Nilla Wafers.
- Using a small spatula, spread the vanilla pudding evenly over the bananas.
- Add a layer of the whipped topping and cream cheese mixture over the pudding layer.
- Repeat the above steps for a second layer of cookies and bananas.
- Then add a layer of chocolate pudding and finish with a second layer of whipped topping.
- Sprinkle the ¼ cup of crumbled cookies all over the top layer of whipped cream.
- Allow your banana pudding to chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours.
- Banana pudding is easiest to slice after being refrigerated, then serve, and enjoy!
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Nutrition
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This is such a yummy dessert recipe!
Right! Don’t you just love the addition of chocolate pudding to this Southern banana pudding classic recipe?