This banana pudding trifle brings back memories of Southern cookouts and family potlucks, where someone always showed up with a big bowl layered with love. I’ve been making versions of this for years, and this one captures everything I love about the dessert—easy to assemble, rich in flavor, and always a crowd favorite.
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It's Labor Day Weekend! Every holiday weekend I am asked about what I plan to cook and bring to our annual friends and family cookout. This year I had help from my friend, Amber. She was in town visiting me from Chicago.
We have been friends for years, but I had yet to have any of her famous banana pudding trifle. I have watched her prepare it and take photos on social media countless times before. I wanted a turn! I also wanted a small "get out of cooking for the BBQ" free card. Amber saved the day!
Table of Contents
Key Ingredients
- Vanilla Pudding
- Bananas
- Nilla Wafer Cookers
- Milk
- Cool Whip or Whipped Cream
I went back and forth for a short while on whether I wanted to manipulate the ingredients to lighten-up the recipe some. After talking it through with Amber I decided against it. You guys know I can SNATCH pretty much any recipe.
This is Amber's recipe. I felt like it should remain untouched.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! It’s best when chilled for at least 4 hours or overnight so the flavors can meld and the wafers soften.
It will stay fresh for about 3 days. After that, the bananas may start to brown and the wafers can get too soft.
Lightly coat banana slices in lemon juice before layering to help prevent browning.
You can use Cook and Serve (not instant) or homemade pudding.
Yes! Shortbread cookies, graham crackers, or even Biscoff can be delicious alternatives.
A standard 3-quart trifle dish works well, but you can also layer in a 9x13 pan or individual cups.
Yes! Homemade whipped cream adds a richer flavor. Just be sure to stabilize it if prepping ahead.
Freezing is not recommended—the texture of the pudding and bananas can become unpleasant once thawed.
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Southern Style Soul Food Baked Mac and Cheese
Southern Mustard Greens
Southern Cornbread Dressing
Southern Homemade Cornbread
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See a full listing of Soul Food Thanksgiving Recipes here.
Banana Pudding Trifle with Nila Wafers
Want to save this recipe for later?
I'll email it to you, so you can come back to it later! You will also get our free digital cookbook with 30-Minute One-Pot Recipes and weekly recipes and tips.
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 large box (5oz) Jell-O Cook and Serve Vanilla pudding not Instant
- 7 bananas sliced
- 3 cups 2% milk
- 1 box Nilla Wafers
- 1 16 oz container Cool Whip
Instructions
- Heat a sauce pan over medium heat. Following the pudding package instructions, add the milk and pudding mix to the pan. Stir constantly until the mixture boils.
- Pour the pudding into a mixing bowl and allow the pudding to chill for at least 5 minutes while you prep the remaining ingredients.
- Add a layer of Nilla Wafers to the bottom of the trifle dish. Continue to layer the bowl by adding a layer of cool whip, then a layer of pudding, sliced bananas, and more Nilla Wafers.
- Top with wafers and bananas. Crumble a few wafers to sprinkle throughout the top.
- Chill until serving.
Nutrition
Nutrition Data
Macros are provided as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. This information is calculated using MyFitnessPal.com. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator. You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information provided is accurate, complete, and useful.
Amber Bennett says
This was so fun to make and such a major party hit! Thanks for inviting me to share this Treat Yoself party favorite! ☺️
Cookilicious says
Looks so much fun to make this trifle! My husband would love this!
staysnatched says
It was so much fun!
Marie says
What a delicious and classic trifle dessert! I think that this would be a hit at any party. I would love to eat this. Pinning this!
Laura says
A complete and easy to make dessert, it looks fantastic. Well done on the presentation.
Ginny says
What a fun way to make banana pudding. Jello pudding sure make sit easier. Thanks!
Jillian says
I love anything with layers - so fun & delicious!
Annie @ Annie's Noms says
This looks amazing!!! I love banana pudding anyway, but haven't tried it in trifle form; how delicious! This would be so perfect to take to BBQs and share with the family... although it looks too good to share, I might just grab a spoon and dig in!
Corey | The Nostalgia Diaries says
This takes me back to my childhood. I remember my grandmother used to make a trifle like this. Not only are they yummy, they are beautiful, too!
Holly says
Know what I haven't had in forever? BANANA PUDDING! This looks great! 🙂
Stephanie says
Oh my gosh, this looks amazing! I make a banana pudding recipe, but never thought to add a bit of strawberry to it!
Ingrid Rizzolo says
The photography accompanying the Easy, Layered Banana Pudding Trifle dish is spectacular. You guys make a great team . The chef must be singled out too as she seems to have a flair for designing for the way the dish is presented is so aesthetically pleasing
Pooja Sharma says
I always have my cheat food as a dessert. There's just nothing better and I guess I have found this week's dessert. I will bookmark it and make it. 😀
Thena says
Look amazing. My mom used to make this for us when we were little and it's still one of my favorites today!
Jen Temcio says
I am so overcome with memories right now. . . I forgot about this dessert but my mom used to make it for every occasion like weddings, holidays, and our fav treat for family movie nights. I can not wait to make this for my kids 🙂 (thanks for the memories)
Lateefah says
Just looking at your pictures and recipe combined makes my mouth water. Trifles are always my favorite comfort food.
Jessica Bradshaw says
Um, wow! This looks incredibly delicious. I love that you gave a link for a bowl too!
Shibani says
Wow this one looks like to be a hit!! Love the photographs and the recipe seems so nice with such a small time frame. I am going to trying this at home!!
Margarette Puno says
This is so fun and looks so delicious! I will definitely try this out.
Jennifer Berg says
Your pictures are beautiful! Easy to follow recipe - that made a delicious dessert. Thank you!
staysnatched says
You're welcome! So glad you enjoyed it!
Julie says
I made this twice within the last week to send to different family members! Everyone loved it! It was quick and easy and so good for a summer dessert! I don't have a trifle dish so I used a deep baking dish but I'll probably invest in a trifle dish because I can see this becoming a regular dessert I make.
staysnatched says
So good! You may have to get that dish.
Jamel Malone says
I made this as a last minute add for Thanksgiving and it was a hit for the family. I'm glad I there was a serving leftover to go with Black Friday meals. This was an extremely easy recipe to make! The tips on how on how to do the trifle were great since I had experience using pans. For sure using the trifle here on out.
staysnatched says
Loved your photo of this!
Nek C says
Made this as a dessert for Christmas and appreciated how light it was. There are some many recipes out there for banana pudding, and this had a great balance of being sweet, but not too sweet!!
staysnatched says
Wonderful! So glad to hear it.