Description

This easy and delightful Banana Pudding in a Jar recipe offers a creamy, layered dessert combining instant vanilla pudding, sweetened condensed milk, fresh bananas, and crunchy Nilla Wafers. Perfectly portioned in individual jars, it’s a convenient treat to prepare ahead and impress guests with its delicious homemade taste and charming presentation.

Ingredients

Scale

Pudding Mixture

1 (4-serving size) box instant vanilla pudding
1 cup cold water
1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk

Fruit & Cookies

2–3 ripe bananas, sliced into 1/4 inch slices
Nilla Wafer cookies (about 12-16 wafers)

Whipped Cream Topping

1 pint whipping cream (divided: 1 cup for folding, remaining for topping)
1/3 cup powdered sugar

Instructions

Prepare the pudding mixture: In a medium bowl, combine the instant vanilla pudding mix, cold water, and sweetened condensed milk. Stir well to combine and place the mixture in the refrigerator to chill for a few minutes, allowing it to thicken.
Whip and fold cream: In a separate bowl, whip 1 cup of the whipping cream until soft peaks form. Gently fold this whipped cream into the chilled pudding mixture until evenly combined and smooth.
Slice bananas: Peel and slice 2-3 ripe bananas into 1/4 inch thick slices, ready for layering in the jars.
Layer the pudding jars: In individual 8-ounce jars, spoon 1/4 cup of the pudding mixture into the bottom. Add 3-4 Nilla Wafer cookies on top, followed by a few banana slices. Add another 1/4 cup of pudding over the bananas. Top with more Nilla Wafers and bananas if desired. Place the jars in the refrigerator to set for at least 4 hours to allow the flavors to meld.
Prepare final whipped cream topping: Right before serving, whip the remaining whipping cream with the powdered sugar until stiff peaks form. Dollop this sweetened whipped cream on top of each jarred pudding.
Garnish and serve: Garnish each jar with 1-2 additional Nilla Wafers on top of the whipped cream. Serve chilled and enjoy this delightful layered banana pudding treat.

Notes

Use ripe bananas for the best sweetness and flavor.
For added texture, you can lightly crush some Nilla Wafers between layers.
Make sure not to overmix the whipped cream when folding into pudding to maintain a light texture.
Individual jars make this dessert perfect for parties and easy portion control.
Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator and consume within 2 days for optimal freshness.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: No-Cook
Cuisine: American

Keywords: banana pudding, instant pudding, layered dessert, no bake dessert, individual servings, Nilla Wafers, whipped cream