🍌 Magnolia Bakery Banana Pudding (From Scratch)

You’re about to fall in love with the ultimate comfort dessert: Magnolia Bakery Banana Pudding — from scratch! 🍌✨ This isn’t your basic pudding — it’s rich, creamy, dreamy, and packed with fresh bananas and Nilla wafers layered into sweet vanilla bliss.

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🍽️ Dish Type: Dessert

🍴 Servings: 8–10

🕒 Chill Time: At least 4 hours (overnight is best)

🌟 Flavor Profile: Sweet, creamy, banana-forward with a vanilla finish

📦 Best Served: Cold, from the fridge!

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📝 Ingredients:

Vanilla Pudding (from scratch):

• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
• Pinch of salt
• 2 cups whole milk
• 3 large egg yolks, lightly beaten
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Whipped Cream:

• 1½ cups heavy whipping cream
• 3 tbsp powdered sugar
• ½ tsp vanilla extract

Layers:

• 4–5 ripe bananas, sliced
• 1 box Nilla wafers (or vanilla wafer cookies)

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🔥 Directions:

1. Make the Vanilla Pudding:

In a saucepan, whisk sugar, flour, and salt. Slowly whisk in the milk over medium heat. Stir constantly until mixture thickens (6–8 minutes).
Add a bit of hot mixture to beaten egg yolks to temper them, then whisk back into the pan. Cook 2 more minutes.
Remove from heat, stir in butter and vanilla. Let cool completely (cover with plastic wrap touching the surface to avoid a skin).

2. Make Whipped Cream:

Beat heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla until soft peaks form.

3. Fold Together:

Once pudding is fully cooled, gently fold in the whipped cream for that signature Magnolia texture.

4. Layer It Up:

In a trifle dish or large bowl, layer Nilla wafers, banana slices, and pudding mixture. Repeat layers until all ingredients are used, finishing with pudding on top.

5. Chill:

Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours (overnight = best texture).

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✅ Tips:

• Use ripe but firm bananas to avoid mushiness.
• Best served within 48 hours — the wafers get softer and even better!
• For a twist, try banana-flavored pudding or add a touch of cinnamon to the pudding base.

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⏳ How Long Does Magnolia Banana Pudding Last?

• Best within 2–3 days.
  The flavor is still delicious up to 4 days, but the bananas can start to brown and the cookies may get overly soft.
• Day 1–2: Peak texture — soft wafers, but still slightly crisp edges.
• Day 3–4: Super soft and creamy — still tasty but a bit mushier.

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🧊 How to Store Magnolia Banana Pudding:

• Refrigerate in an airtight container or well-covered bowl/trifle dish.
• If making individual servings, cover each tightly with plastic wrap or lids.

🍌 Want to prevent bananas from browning too fast?

• Toss banana slices in a little lemon juice before layering. Just a light spritz — it won’t affect the taste but slows oxidation.
• Layer bananas between pudding layers (not directly exposed to air) for longer freshness.

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🚫 Freezing?

Unfortunately, this pudding doesn’t freeze well — the texture of the bananas and whipped cream changes too much once thawed. It’s a make-it-fresh, enjoy-within-a-few-days dessert 💛

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