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The Blue Willow Banana Pudding

There’s a secret ingredient in this Southern staple that gives it a tangy, creamy heft that somehow enhances its airy lightness.
Photo by Daria Amato​
Print Recipe
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 12 people

Ingredients
  

  • 8 ounces softened cream cheese
  • 1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
  • 1 (5-ounce) box instant vanilla pudding
  • 3 cups milk, 2% or higher
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 (8-ounce) tub thawed Cool Whip topping, halved
  • 1 (11-ounce) box vanilla wafers
  • 5 to 7 bananas, peeled and sliced

Instructions
 

  • In a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium, beat the cream cheese until smooth and fluffy.
  • Add sweetened condensed milk, pudding mix, milk and vanilla extract. Mix until well combined. Fold in half of the whipped topping.
  • To assemble: Layer 13 vanilla wafers on bottom of 9- by 13-inch baking dish; layer with ⅓ of the bananas. Cover with ⅓ of the pudding mixture. Repeat twice. Top with remaining whipped topping.

Notes

This recipe appeared in the Spring 2025 issue of the magazine.