Savor the Heavenly Delights of Magnolia Bakery Banana Pudding
Experience pure dessert bliss with this authentic Magnolia Bakery banana pudding recipe, combining velvety smooth vanilla pudding, fresh bananas, and classic Nilla wafers into a heavenly treat made from scratch.

This iconic dessert brings the magic of New York's beloved bakery straight to your kitchen, creating a symphony of textures and flavors that's sure to impress family and friends alike.
Perfect for special occasions or whenever you're craving something extraordinarily delicious, this recipe captures the essence of Magnolia Bakery's most famous dessert. Ready to create this legendary treat in your own kitchen? Let's dive into this rewarding and surprisingly simple recipe.
Magnolia Bakery Banana Pudding: A Legendary Dessert Made Simple
This homemade version of Magnolia Bakery's banana pudding elevates the classic dessert with its perfectly balanced sweetness and incredible texture. What sets this recipe apart is the careful attention to technique and the use of premium ingredients, resulting in a pudding that's even better than the original.
Here's your guide to creating this legendary dessert, complete with expert tips to ensure your banana pudding turns out perfectly creamy and delicious every time.
Serving Suggestions:
Transform your banana pudding experience with these perfect pairings:
- Serve in clear glass bowls to showcase the beautiful layers
- Top with a light dusting of crushed Nilla wafers just before serving
- Add a drizzle of caramel sauce for an extra touch of indulgence
- Pair with a hot cup of coffee or cold glass of milk
- Consider individual portions in mason jars for special events
Pro Tips for Perfect Magnolia Bakery Banana Pudding:
- Temperature Control: Ensure your heavy cream is thoroughly chilled before whipping to achieve the perfect texture and stability.
- Banana Selection: Choose bananas that are ripe but still firm - they should be yellow with small brown spots for optimal sweetness.
- Layering Technique: Keep layers relatively thin and even to ensure every spoonful has the perfect ratio of components.
- Timing Matters: Plan ahead since this dessert needs at least 4 hours to set properly - overnight chilling yields even better results.
- Storage Strategy: Keep the assembled pudding covered tightly with plastic wrap to prevent the bananas from oxidizing.

Magnificent Magnolia Bakery Banana Pudding Recipe:
- Preparation time: 30 minutes
- Chilling time: 7 hours
- Servings: 12
- Equipment: Large mixing bowls, saucepan, electric mixer, serving dish
Create this iconic dessert that perfectly balances creamy pudding, fresh bananas, and crispy cookies in every heavenly bite.
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 8 tablespoons granulated sugar (divided)
- Pinch of salt
- 2 large eggs
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups heavy cream, cold
- 1 tablespoon sweetened condensed milk
- 4 cups mini Nilla wafers
- 4 large ripe bananas
- Extra wafers and banana slices for garnish
Directions:
- Prepare the Base: Combine cornstarch, 2 tablespoons of sugar, and salt in a small bowl until well mixed.
- Beat the Eggs: In a medium bowl, whisk eggs vigorously for 3-4 minutes until they become smooth and fluffy.
- Create the Mixture: Slowly incorporate the cornstarch mixture into the beaten eggs, whisking constantly until smooth.
- Heat the Milk: In a medium saucepan, combine milk with the remaining 6 tablespoons of sugar and heat on medium-high for 5 minutes, careful not to boil.
- Combine Hot and Cold: Gradually pour the hot milk into the egg mixture, whisking vigorously to prevent curdling.
- Cook the Pudding: Return everything to the saucepan, add vanilla, and cook on medium-high heat for 6-7 minutes, whisking continuously until thickened.
- Initial Cooling: Transfer the pudding to a large bowl, cover with plastic wrap directly on the surface, and refrigerate for 3 hours.
- Prepare the Cream: Whip the cold heavy cream with condensed milk on high speed for about 5 minutes until stiff peaks form.
- Finish the Pudding: Gently fold the whipped cream into the chilled pudding mixture until just combined.
- Create the Crumbs: Crush ¾ cup of Nilla wafers in a zip-top bag to make fine crumbs.
- Begin Assembly: Start with a thin pudding layer in your serving dish, followed by whole wafers and half the crushed wafers.
- Continue Layering: Add another pudding layer, then sliced bananas, repeating the layers until all ingredients are used.
- Final Touches: Top with remaining pudding and decorate with whole wafers.
- Chill and Set: Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours before serving.
Ready to Relish!
This spectacular recreation of Magnolia Bakery's famous banana pudding brings together layers of creamy vanilla pudding, fresh bananas, and perfectly crisp wafers in every spoonful.
Storage Solutions:
Keep your banana pudding fresh and delicious with these storage tips:
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days
- For best results, consume within 48 hours while the bananas are still fresh
- Avoid freezing as it will affect the texture of both the pudding and bananas
- If making ahead, consider assembling just before serving to maintain optimal texture
- Keep plastic wrap directly touching the surface of any leftover pudding to prevent skin formation
MAGNOLIA BAKERY BANANA PUDDING (FROM SCRATCH)
Create this iconic dessert that perfectly balances creamy pudding, fresh bananas, and crispy cookies in every heavenly bite.
- Total Time: 45 minute
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 8 tablespoons granulated sugar (divided)
- Pinch of salt
- 2 large eggs
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups heavy cream, cold
- 1 tablespoon sweetened condensed milk
- 4 cups mini Nilla wafers
- 4 large ripe bananas
- Extra wafers and banana slices for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the Base: Combine cornstarch, 2 tablespoons of sugar, and salt in a small bowl until well mixed.
- Beat the Eggs: In a medium bowl, whisk eggs vigorously for 3-4 minutes until they become smooth and fluffy.
- Create the Mixture: Slowly incorporate the cornstarch mixture into the beaten eggs, whisking constantly until smooth.
- Heat the Milk: In a medium saucepan, combine milk with the remaining 6 tablespoons of sugar and heat on medium-high for 5 minutes, careful not to boil.
- Combine Hot and Cold: Gradually pour the hot milk into the egg mixture, whisking vigorously to prevent curdling.
- Cook the Pudding: Return everything to the saucepan, add vanilla, and cook on medium-high heat for 6-7 minutes, whisking continuously until thickened.
- Initial Cooling: Transfer the pudding to a large bowl, cover with plastic wrap directly on the surface, and refrigerate for 3 hours.
- Prepare the Cream: Whip the cold heavy cream with condensed milk on high speed for about 5 minutes until stiff peaks form.
- Finish the Pudding: Gently fold the whipped cream into the chilled pudding mixture until just combined.
- Create the Crumbs: Crush ¾ cup of Nilla wafers in a zip-top bag to make fine crumbs.
- Begin Assembly: Start with a thin pudding layer in your serving dish, followed by whole wafers and half the crushed wafers.
- Continue Layering: Add another pudding layer, then sliced bananas, repeating the layers until all ingredients are used.
- Final Touches: Top with remaining pudding and decorate with whole wafers.
- Chill and Set: Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours before serving.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: Chilling time: 7 hours







