Southern banana pudding is a celebration of soul food heritage. The simplicity of a few high-quality ingredients transforms into a layered dessert masterpiece!
4.6oz.vanilla puddinginstant pudding or Cook-&-Serve
3cupsmilk for the pudding mix
8oz.whipped cream1 container
8oz.cream cheese1 container, whipped-version
11oz.Nilla Wafers1 box and ¼ cup of crumbled Nilla Wafers cookies
Instructions
Prepare the pudding according to the instructions on the pudding box mix and set it aside in the refrigerator. (I made Jell-O Cook & Serve Pudding by heating the pudding mix with milk on the stovetop until it boiled, then I let it cool to thicken.)
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 banana slices 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, bananas, pudding, and whipped topping.
Then, sprinkle the ¼ cup of crumbled cookies over the top layer of whipped cream.
Allow the 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!
Created + tested by Shaunda Necole, creator of The Soul Food Pot® (real cook, real kitchen). Rooted in African American culinary traditions, with modern shortcuts that don’t sacrifice flavor or legacy. No AI-generated instructions — measurements, timing, and techniques are written, cooked, and verified by Shaunda. Make-it-your-way guidance included, so you can cook confidently with the tools you have.