Banana pudding is a southern dessert tradition. When I was growing up, I had so many different versions that I can’t even remember who made which one! I just remember loving each and every one of them.
Banana pudding comes in many forms. Some are served warm, and others are served cold. Some are made with boxed pudding, and others are made from scratch. They may be topped with meringue or whipped topping, maybe even both. But no matter which recipe you use, this is one dessert that pretty much everyone will love!
So here are the world’s best southern banana pudding recipes!
1. Easy Banana Pudding with Vanilla Wafers
Image Courtesy of Blessed Beyond a Doubt
This version uses boxed pudding mix and sweetened condensed milk, along with vanilla wafers and whipped topping. It combines the soft vanilla wafers that turn nearly cake-like in the pudding, along with some crunchy ones on top for a delightful textural contrast. Yummy!
2. Alton Brown’s Baked Banana Pudding Recipes
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Alton Brown is one of the most well-known food celebrities in the world. He also happens to be from Georgia, like I am. His recipe for baked banana pudding from scratch is as authentically southern as it gets, with a baked meringue on top and vanilla wafers in the middle. If you’re looking for a recipe that will taste just like a Georgia grandma would make for Sunday supper, this is the one!
3. Magnolia Bakery Banana Pudding Recipe
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Magnolia Bakery is renowned for their incredible desserts, including their famous cupcakes and this spectacular banana pudding. This is a very creamy, whipped version that is almost like a mousse.
4. Banana Pudding Trifle
Image Courtesy of High Heels and Grills
This version of banana pudding really elevates the dessert to a new level. It makes for a truly beautiful presentation, while the flavor is over the top with both vanilla wafers and chunks of pound cake. POUND… CAKE! If you’re looking for the perfect banana pudding for a party, this is a great choice.
5. Paula Deen’s Banana Pudding Recipe
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Paula Deen is the queen of southern cooking, and she’s known for her full-fat, high-calorie recipes. This one is no exception, but the flavor is so amazing that it’s worth every last calorie and fat gram. It uses Pepperidge Farm Chessmen cookies instead of vanilla wafers for a really unique twist, and it uses French vanilla pudding and cream cheese for a truly rich, decadent dessert that will absolutely blow your mind! (There’s a reason this recipe has a 5-star rating with over 2,000 recipes on Food Network!)
Paula calls this “Not Yo’ Mama’s Banana Pudding”. I can definitely see why, because it’s something I would never have thought of. But the result is just oh-so good!
