Even though I am from the South, I have never actually made banana pudding before (shocker I know!!!!). This week I teamed up with a couple of other Sales guys at work to cook for charity, we chose a Southern theme for our submission. (Note that the new banana pudding pics show a third of the full recipe. This makes enough Southern banana pudding for a crowd in a big roaster pan like the picture below.)
I volunteered to make banana pudding. Easy, peasy….right?
Well, I forgot about it and then had to figure out a recipe last minute. This recipe checked all the boxes. It’s not really like my Granny’s (hers had meringue) but I prefer whipped cream instead. Meringue is just not my thing. (It may that my granddaddy always called it “calf slobbers” growing up. Ick!)
I would definitely call this a cheater recipe. Traditional Southern banana pudding has a cooked pudding base while this recipe has an instant pudding base. Regardless it tastes AWESOME and was a big hit with everyone. Don’t be wary of the condensed milk in the recipe either. It doesn’t make the recipe too sweet, it just changes the banana pudding for a crowd from just good to AMAZING.
Make it for your next barbecue party or take it to a potluck. I guarantee someone will ask for the recipe.
Did you know…
- Bananas are one of the most popular fruits in the American diet?
- Bananas float!
- Bananas are officially a berry!
Who knew! Bananas are a favourite in our house (tho Dewey is actually allergic to them). We use them in Green Smoothies, Banana Bread and, of course, Banana pudding. I also love them just as they are or sliced on top of toast slathered with crunchy peanut butter.
If I’m going to eat bananas by themselves, they have to be perfectly yellow with a tinge of green at the top with no brown spots. Once a brown spot appears, into the freezer they go (peeled of course) for smoothies and banana bread. Banana pudding is best when made with ripe but not mushy bananas.
How to Make Southern Banana Pudding for a Crowd
Banana Pudding for a Crowd
Ingredients
- 3 cans condensed milk
- 4 1/2 cups cold water
- 3 packages vanilla instant pudding small
- 6 cups whipping cream whipped
- 2 boxes Nilla wafers
- 12 bananas +/- depends on how big they are
- additional whipped cream for garnish
- 1 disposable rectangular turkey roaster pan
Instructions
- In a large bowl combine condensed milk and water. Stir until well mixed. Add vanilla pudding and mix well with a whisk. Chill in the refrigerator for 5 minutes.
- Whip whipping cream in small batches (you cannot whip 6 cups of cream in a normal mixer at one time….ask me how I know).
- Peel bananas and cut them into 1/2 inch thick circles. Toss banana pieces with lemon juice to keep from browning. Set aside.
- Gently fold whipped cream into chilled pudding mixture until just mixed. Spread 1/4 of the mixture in the bottom of the roaster pan. Follow with a layer of vanilla wafers and then a layer of bananas. Top with pudding mixture, layer of cookies, layer of bananas & finish off with the rest of the pudding. Chill overnight if possible.
- To serve, add additional whipped cream for garnish.
Nutrition
Recipe Notes: This is BIG. It will serve a lot of people. It is a big party pleaser, though, so it is worth it. My friend Jolene said, “It’s like a slice of heaven.” If you have a smaller group just make the original recipe.
Southern food is kind of my jam. If it’s yours too, you’ll want to check out these fantastic Southern Recipes!
Super Chocolatey Coca Cola Cake
Retro Southern Recipes – Tea Cakes (Cookies)
Michelle says
October 21, 2010 at 4:37 amYum .that does sound good..
Sikhulile says
July 3, 2016 at 8:28 amYummie! Made one n it’s just a hit. ???
Amy says
April 16, 2018 at 9:19 pmHow did u make whipping cream?
Merry Kuchle says
April 16, 2018 at 9:21 pmDid you see my earlier comment? Just buy liquid heavy cream, whip it and add sugar and vanilla to taste.
Marian Sims says
December 6, 2016 at 9:06 amWill this feed a 100, or should I make a small one as well…
Merry Kuchle says
December 6, 2016 at 9:11 amIt would probably feed 30 or 40. I would make 2 for 100.
Sherry says
January 16, 2017 at 10:45 amCan you substitute the water with milk or will it change the flavor?
Merry Kuchle says
January 16, 2017 at 10:46 amYou could but you really don’t need to. Basically you are just thinning out the condensed milk a bit.
Sherry says
January 16, 2017 at 10:52 amThank you!! I think I’ll just make it the way you have. This way I won’t mess it up.
Scarlett says
February 16, 2017 at 5:39 amDon’t laugh but is condensed milk listed the same as sweetened condensed milk?? Southern girl here who’s also never made nana puddin! Lol
Merry Kuchle says
February 16, 2017 at 9:50 amYes! They are the same!
Jessica says
March 14, 2017 at 4:32 pmCan you freeze it?
Merry Kuchle says
March 14, 2017 at 9:25 pmI’ve never tried. I don’t know if I would. I’m afraid it would make the pudding separate and the bananas get runny.
Cary says
March 19, 2017 at 1:46 pmHey, instead of doing whipping cream into whipped cream…can I buy Cool whip in its place? How much would I need?
Thanks.
Merry Kuchle says
March 19, 2017 at 7:02 pmI’m not sure since I haven’t done it that way. Also Cool Whip is sweetened so it would turn out much sweeter.
Mary says
March 30, 2017 at 4:21 pmI’m making banana pudding tomorrow for about 50 people Saturday. I’ve never made this recipe but my problem is it’s always watery the next day. Any suggestions
Merry Kuchle says
March 30, 2017 at 7:34 pmBanana pudding is best made the same day. The bananas always get watery.
Mary says
March 31, 2017 at 1:06 pmOh. I thought you said best if chilled over night
Merry Kuchle says
March 31, 2017 at 9:19 pmOops! I posted this a long time ago. It won’t get watery if you make it at night and let it refrigerate over night but I would make it later in the day for sure.
Mary says
March 31, 2017 at 11:07 pmThat’s exactly what I did. Got a tiny bite out of it. Bound to be a hit?? Thank you
Mary
Mary says
April 1, 2017 at 5:51 pmWow! My banana pudding for 60 was a hit. Everyone loved it! The only thing is I only got a tiny bite of it last night?
Merry Kuchle says
April 1, 2017 at 10:01 pmSo glad to hear!
Fancy Sheppard says
April 30, 2017 at 6:42 pmHi!! Did you double this recipe to make for 60 people?
JHlaw says
April 15, 2018 at 3:56 pmHi, I was just as to make a banana pudding for about 60 people. How much would you charge for one that size?
Merry Kuchle says
April 15, 2018 at 4:12 pmNo idea.
Debra says
May 5, 2017 at 8:17 amThe recipe says end with remaining pudding. Can you spread the additional whipped cream as the final step and then refrigerate before serving? I want to be sure it turns out really good. It just seems like the whipped cream at the end would make a nice showing. Your thoughts…
Merry Kuchle says
May 5, 2017 at 8:23 amSure! You just may need more.
Debra says
May 5, 2017 at 8:24 amPs… approximately how much additional whipped cream is needed to cover the pudding?
Merry Kuchle says
May 5, 2017 at 8:36 amNo idea since I didn’t do it that way. I wouldn’t think it would take a ton.
AMY says
April 16, 2018 at 3:52 pmHi i wonder if you can share your whipping cream whipped recipe.
Merry Kuchle says
April 16, 2018 at 6:34 pmI can’t remember exactly what I did on this one. I usually just add confectioners sugar and a bit of vanilla to taste.
Jenifer says
June 6, 2019 at 3:19 pmSo are you supposed to add sugar to the whipping cream or not? The recipe does not call for sugar to be added to it. Confused…
Merry Kuchle says
June 6, 2019 at 3:21 pmYou don’t have to. It is sweet enough without it.
Ash says
June 17, 2018 at 10:38 amThis recipe had people at a funeral fighting for more. Good job! Very light and overly sweet.
Merry Kuchle says
June 17, 2018 at 3:57 pmGlad you enjoyed it!
Samantha says
July 28, 2018 at 9:38 amYou mentioned tossing the bananas with lemon juice to prevent browning, will u be able to taste the lemon juice? I don’t want it to ruin the dish, how much lemon juice is used to toss the bananas in? Im making a banana pudding poke cake and afraid to put bananas in it cause they will brown and make it look ugly.
Merry Kuchle says
July 28, 2018 at 10:22 amYou don’t use much and you drain off any excess. You can’t taste it.
Jennifer says
October 24, 2018 at 1:59 pmI love banana pudding! It’s definitley a favorite around here. I make it at least once a month
Tammie says
March 6, 2019 at 1:49 pmMade this for Thanksgiving lunch for my husbands job. They are still asking for it! I will have to make this again!
Merry Kuchle says
March 6, 2019 at 1:50 pmSo glad you enjoyed it!
Emily says
April 3, 2019 at 11:21 amCrazy question! On step one in the instructions when you say to add in the vanilla pudding, do you mean the vanilla pudding mix or should I make the pudding per the instructions on the box and then add it to the water & condensed milk mixture?
Merry Kuchle says
April 3, 2019 at 11:25 amGood question! The mix!
Linda says
May 15, 2019 at 12:34 pmI needed this to make for a teacher appreciation luncheon and it was perfect! Thank you so much for this recipe!
Merry Kuchle says
May 15, 2019 at 12:35 pmYay! I am so glad!
Michael says
May 20, 2019 at 7:02 pmI made this for a memorial about a month ago and about a week later my boss said at our next pot luck I need to make it again so tomorrow is the next pot luck and I just finished making it. Mike – Home Depot measurement services.
Merry Kuchle says
May 20, 2019 at 7:04 pmThat is AWESOME! So glad you like it and it is easy so you don’t have to work too hard.
Gentry Corbitt says
June 10, 2019 at 3:42 pmYour roasting pan link shows the size as 12 and 7/8 by 10 in by 2 and 7/8 but the picture is actually a 16 and 1/8 inch by 11 and 3/4 inch by 2 and 5/8 inch roasting pan. Which did you actually use?
Merry Kuchle says
June 10, 2019 at 5:40 pmThe size is not really THAT important. Just buy the big aluminum foil roasting pan your store carries. Because you are layering, it will all come out in the wash. 🙂
Barbara says
June 17, 2019 at 9:49 pmI made a double recipe for Bible School and it was a big hit! I followed recipe as written and also followed your advice when making the whipped cream to use only vanilla and no sugar and it was perfectly sweetened. Thank you for sharing this recipe and I will be making it again and also sharing with those who requested your recipe,
Merry Kuchle says
June 17, 2019 at 9:52 pmI’m so glad it was a big hit! Thank you for letting me know!