Banana Pudding, Southern Style

Written By Frank Zocco

NOTE: This is not my recipe, but one I got from a BBQ restaurant in Nashville. I adapted it for home use.

Ingredients (yields ~8–10 servings)

  • 1¼ cups heavy whipping cream

  • 2 tsp vanilla extract, divided

  • 4 tbsp powdered sugar

  • 1 cup sweetened condensed milk

  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened

  • 20 oz whole milk, divided

  • 2 -3.4 oz instant vanilla pudding mix

  • 6 bananas, sliced (¼″ rounds)

  • 8 oz Nilla wafers, broken into pieces

🥄 Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Whip the cream

  • Whisk together heavy cream, 1 tsp vanilla, and powdered sugar.

  • Beat until stiff peaks form (about a minute).

  • Set aside.

2. Make the pudding base

  • In a bowl, blend cream cheese, condensed milk, and the remaining 1 tsp vanilla until smooth.

  • Stir in 10 oz of milk and the vanilla pudding mix until smooth.

  • Add the rest of the milk and mix well.

3. Fold in bananas, cream, and wafers

  • Add one-third of the whipped cream, all banana slices, and 6 oz Nilla wafers into the pudding base.

  • Gently fold until fully combined.

4. Assemble

  • Spoon the pudding mixture into a serving dish, leaving room for topping.

  • Spread the remaining whipped cream on top.

  • Crumble the remaining Nilla wafers over the top for garnish.

Straight out of Nashville vibes, this Banana Cream Pudding is rich, creamy, and downright addictive. Forget the layered look—this version mixes everything together: velvety pudding, ripe bananas, crunchy Nilla wafers, and a couple of unexpected twists that take it over the top. This is the kind of dessert that feels at home at a backyard BBQ, Sunday dinner, or anytime you want a bowl of pure comfort. Simple, soulful, and guaranteed to disappear fast.

Frank Zocco
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