Name: Homemade Banana Pudding with Creamy Topping Recipe
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: Southern American
Ingredients: 2 cups whole milk; 1 cup heavy whipping cream; 1 tablespoon bourbon, optional; 5 large egg yolks; 1 tablespoon vanilla bean paste; ¼ cup cornstarch; ½ cup caster sugar (or granulated sugar); ¼ cup salted butter, cut into cubes; 1 tablespoon banana or banana cream extract; 8 ounces full-fat brick cream cheese, room temperature; 8 ounces Cool Whip container, room temperature; ½ cup sweetened condensed milk; 1 tablespoon vanilla bean paste; 1 (11-ounce) box Nilla wafers; 4 medium bananas, sliced into ½-inch thick coins; Fresh mint leaves, for garnish (optional)

There’s something deeply comforting about a classic Southern dessert done right, and this Homemade Banana Pudding with Creamy Topping Recipe really hits that spot. With layers of silky pudding, fresh bananas, and a luscious creamy topping, it’s a dessert that feels like a warm hug in every bite.

A clear glass jar with six visible layers stands on a white marbled surface. The bottom layer is a creamy pale yellow pudding, topped by a layer of white cream mixed with small banana pieces. Above this is another thin layer of golden brown cookies laid flat. Next is a thicker layer of the same pale yellow pudding, followed by a thicker white cream layer, and then another row of cookies. On top, the jar is generously topped with fluffy white whipped cream, three banana slices slightly overlapping, and a few small green mint leaves. The textures vary from smooth pudding to soft cream and crunchy cookies. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Homemade Banana Pudding with Creamy Topping Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Homemade Banana Pudding with Creamy Topping Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Homemade Banana Pudding with Creamy Topping Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’ve made banana pudding a lot of ways, but this particular Homemade Banana Pudding with Creamy Topping Recipe stands out every time. It’s creamy, fresh, and just the right amount of sweet without ever feeling too heavy or artificial.

Rich, Homemade Pudding: Unlike store-bought mixes, this pudding is silky-smooth and made from scratch for real flavor.
Perfectly Balanced Layers: The mix of fresh bananas, crisp Nilla wafers, and that dreamy topping make each bite interesting and delightful.
Creamy Topping Magic: The cream cheese and Cool Whip combo creates a fluffiness that’s hard to resist.
Great for Any Occasion: Whether you're making a family dessert, potluck dish, or just treating yourself, this recipe adapts perfectly.

A clear glass jar holds a layered banana pudding dessert with five visible layers. Starting from the bottom, there is a light creamy layer, followed by a layer of golden vanilla wafer cookies and thin banana slices. Above that is another thick, smooth cream layer, then another wafer cookie layer with a few banana slices peeking through. The top layer is a fluffy whipped cream with whole wafer cookies placed around the edge and banana slices with small green mint leaves on top. The jar is set on a white marbled surface with more wafer cookies scattered around, and a glass bottle of milk blurred in the background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

The ingredients in this Homemade Banana Pudding with Creamy Topping Recipe all play their part to build layers of flavor and texture. Choosing quality dairy and fresh bananas makes a noticeable difference, and a touch of vanilla bean paste gives it an authentic depth.

Flat lay of whole milk in a small white bowl, heavy whipping cream in a small white bowl, a few cubes of salted butter, a small white bowl of caster sugar, a small white bowl of cornstarch, five large whole brown eggs with clean shells, a small white bowl of sweetened condensed milk, a smooth block of full-fat cream cheese, a small white bowl of vanilla bean paste, a small white bowl of banana cream extract, a few fresh medium bananas sliced into thick coins, a handful of round golden Nilla wafers, fresh bright green mint leaves scattered gently, all arranged in perfect symmetry on simple white ceramic dishes, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Whole milk: Provides a rich base that’s creamy but not too heavy, essential for smooth pudding.
Heavy whipping cream: Adds extra richness and silkiness to the pudding’s texture.
Bourbon (optional): Gives subtle warmth and complexity — a little secret I like to add for grown-up palettes.
Egg yolks: They’re the natural thickener and give pudding that beautiful custard-like consistency.
Vanilla bean paste: More flavorful than vanilla extract, it adds those familiar flecks of vanilla and real aroma.
Cornstarch: Helps the pudding thicken properly without clumps.
Caster sugar (or granulated): Balances the richness with the perfect level of sweetness.
Salted butter: Adds a slight savoriness and smooth mouthfeel to the pudding.
Banana or banana cream extract: Boosts banana flavor without overwhelming the fresh fruit.
Cream cheese: Creates a rich, tangy base for the creamy topping.
Cool Whip: Whipped and lightens the topping for fluffiness.
Sweetened condensed milk: Sweetens and stabilizes the creamy topping, so it holds shape.
Nilla wafers: The classic crisp and slightly vanilla crunch that contrasts softness.
Bananas: Freshness is key here for vibrant flavor and texture.
Fresh mint leaves (optional): Adds a refreshing touch and a pop of green when serving.

📝

Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of my favorite parts about this Homemade Banana Pudding with Creamy Topping Recipe is how easy it is to make personal tweaks. I encourage you to play with the extracts or even try some fun add-ins!

Variation: Sometimes, I swap bourbon for a splash of rum or leave alcohol out entirely to keep it family-friendly — both ways turn out delicious.
Dairy-Free Twist: If you need dairy-free, swapping in coconut milk and a dairy-free whipped topping can work, though the texture will be a bit different.
Extra Crunch: Adding chopped toasted pecans or walnuts between layers gives a nutty surprise that my guests always ask about.
Seasonal Twist: Try adding fresh berries with the bananas when they’re in season for a bright pop of flavor.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Homemade Banana Pudding with Creamy Topping Recipe

Step 1: Gently Heat the Cream and Milk

I start by combining the milk, heavy cream, and bourbon (if you’re adding it) in a saucepan over medium-high heat. You want to heat this until it’s just steaming and barely simmering, about 5 to 7 minutes. Watch closely — no boiling here! Getting this right means smoother pudding without any odd flavors.

Step 2: Whisk Together Egg Yolks, Vanilla, Cornstarch, and Sugar

While the cream mixture warms, I whisk egg yolks, vanilla bean paste, cornstarch, and sugar in a bowl. It looks a bit like a paste, and that’s exactly what you want because this will thicken the pudding once combined with the warm milk and cream.

Step 3: Temper the Eggs Carefully

This step always made me nervous until I got the hang of it — slowly add a tablespoon of the hot cream to the eggs while whisking constantly. Repeat this 2-3 times so the egg yolks warm up gently without scrambling. Tempering is key here!

Step 4: Cook the Pudding Until Thick

Pour the tempered egg mixture back into the saucepan with the warm cream and return to medium heat. Whisk constantly for 4-5 minutes until it thickens up like custard. Then, turn off the heat and stir in cold butter cubes and banana extract. The butter melts in instantly, creating that silky finish.

Step 5: Chill the Pudding Thoroughly

Pour the pudding into an airtight container and press cling wrap right onto the surface to avoid skin formation. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight, so it firms up nicely and flavors meld beautifully.

Step 6: Whip Up the Creamy Topping

Using softened cream cheese, Cool Whip, sweetened condensed milk, and vanilla bean paste, whip everything together with an electric mixer until smooth and fluffy. This topping adds an irresistible lightness that balances the dense pudding.

Step 7: Assemble Your Layers

I like to start with a pudding layer, then a layer of Nilla wafers, followed by the creamy topping, and fresh banana slices. Repeat these layers until you reach the top, finishing with more creamy topping and a scattering of wafers or crumbs. Chill for at least one hour before serving to let everything set together.

Top Tip

From my experience making this banana pudding dozens of times, a few tricks can make your dessert come out like a pro’s every time.

Tempering Eggs: Take your time adding the hot cream to eggs slowly to avoid scrambled eggs and ensure a silky texture.
Plastic Wrap Direct on Pudding: Always press the plastic wrap onto the pudding's surface to prevent the dreaded pudding skin.
Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure the cream cheese and Cool Whip are at room temp before mixing the topping to avoid lumps.
Bananas at Peak Ripeness: Use bananas that are yellow with just a few brown spots — not too green, not too mushy — for best flavor and texture.

How to Serve Homemade Banana Pudding with Creamy Topping Recipe

Garnishes

I’m partial to topping mine with a few fresh mint leaves for a little color contrast and refreshing note. Sometimes, I even sprinkle a few crushed Nilla wafers or toasted coconut flakes on top for extra texture that guests always appreciate.

Side Dishes

This pudding is so rich and satisfying that I like to keep sides light. A simple fresh fruit salad, iced tea, or a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream can complement it beautifully without overwhelming the palate.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, I love serving this pudding in individual parfait glasses layered up beautifully so each guest gets their own elegant portion. Another favorite is making it in a classic trifle bowl for a stunning centerpiece that shows off the vibrant layers.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover banana pudding keeps well in the fridge for about 3 days when stored in an airtight container. Just keep it chilled until ready to serve again, and you’ll find the flavors meld even more wonderfully over time.

Freezing

Freezing this pudding isn’t my favorite because the texture changes — the bananas get mushy and the creamy topping can separate. I recommend enjoying it fresh or refrigerated for best results.

Reheating

Since this is a chilled dessert, reheating isn’t necessary or recommended. Just let it sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes before serving if you want the flavors to come through more.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make this banana pudding ahead of time?

Absolutely! It’s actually better if you make it a day ahead so the flavors have time to meld and the pudding thickens properly. Just cover it tightly and refrigerate.

What’s the best way to keep bananas from browning in banana pudding?

I recommend slicing fresh bananas just before assembling the layers and refrigerating the pudding immediately. You can also toss banana slices in a little lemon juice to slow browning if desired.

Can I use instant pudding mix instead of making from scratch?

You can, but the homemade version here has a richer, fresher flavor and creamier texture that’s hard to beat. Instant mixes can be convenient but often taste artificial and less satisfying.

Is there an alcohol-free version of this recipe?

Absolutely — just leave out the bourbon. The pudding is already deeply flavorful thanks to the vanilla and banana extracts, so it works great without alcohol.

Final Thoughts

This Homemade Banana Pudding with Creamy Topping Recipe has become one of my all-time favorites to share with friends and family. It’s the kind of homemade dessert that fills the kitchen with comforting smells and brings smiles to the table. Give it a try — I bet you’ll keep coming back to it, just like I do!