Banana Pudding Cups Recipe
This Banana Pudding Cups recipe blends creamy vanilla pudding, ripe bananas, and crisp vanilla wafers into a simple yet luxurious treat. Featured on Everyday Excellent with Vanessa Gianfrancesco, it’s a no-bake dessert that captures the essence of Southern comfort food while keeping the process quick, fun, and totally foolproof. Perfect for entertaining or enjoying solo, these chilled pudding cups deliver layered textures—light, airy, and irresistibly sweet.
The Inspiration
The charm of banana pudding lies in its simplicity—a blend of smooth custard, fresh banana slices, and crunchy cookies that soften into a creamy, dreamy consistency. Vanessa Gianfrancesco’s Banana Pudding Cups pay homage to this Southern staple while modernizing its presentation for today’s home cooks. Traditionally, banana pudding is layered in a large trifle dish or casserole. Here, it’s divided into individual mason jars for easy prep, portion control, and stylish serving.
For Everyday Excellent, this recipe embodies the show’s philosophy: everyday ingredients elevated into extraordinary moments. Vanessa’s no-bake approach captures the essence of tradition without the wait time or fuss. By folding fresh whipped cream into store-bought vanilla pudding, the dessert gains an airy texture that feels homemade in minutes. The combination of rich cream, ripe fruit, and sweet wafers creates perfect harmony—a dessert that tastes comforting yet refined.
Ingredients
- 4 individual vanilla puddings
- 2 ripe bananas
- 24 round vanilla wafer cookies such as Nilla wafers
- 1 cup (238 g) of 35% cream
- 2 tbsp (16 g) icing sugar
Method
- Peel and slice both bananas ¼ inch thick.
- In a mixing bowl, whisk the cream and icing sugar together until stiff peaks form. Gently fold 2/3 of the whipped cream into the pudding.
- Scoop some pudding into the bottom of 4 mason jars. Top each with 3 vanilla wafers and 3 slices of bananas. Repeat with another layer of pudding, cookies, and banana to almost fill the mason jars. Top the mason jars with remaining whipped cream and refrigerate for 15 minutes before serving.
Serving Suggestions
Banana Pudding Cups are perfectly portioned for any occasion—casual or special. Serve them chilled in clear mason jars or glass dessert cups to showcase the layers. Garnish each with a sprinkle of cookie crumbs, a drizzle of caramel, or a banana slice perched on top.
These pudding cups shine as an easy dessert for weeknights, a make-ahead treat for brunches, or a show-stopping finale for family dinners. They travel well too—an excellent choice for potlucks or picnics. For a café-style finish, crumble extra vanilla wafers over the top right before serving for a satisfying crunch with every bite.
Pair these pudding cups with cozy drinks such as hot chocolate, chai lattes, or espresso. The creamy vanilla layers contrast beautifully with something warm and aromatic. You can even freeze them for 20 minutes before serving for a semi-frozen “icebox-style” texture—a playful twist that tastes refreshing in warmer months.
Final Thoughts
This Banana Pudding Cups Recipe exemplifies what Everyday Excellent is all about: simplicity elevated by thoughtful presentation and unforgettable flavor. Vanessa Gianfrancesco’s clever take on this Southern classic proves that elegant doesn’t have to mean complicated. Each cup delivers sweet nostalgia layered with creamy pudding, airy whipped cream, and crisp vanilla wafers.
Beyond its ease and beauty, this dessert invites creativity. Whether you stay traditional or experiment with chocolate, caramel, or vegan variations, the result is always crowd-pleasing. Served chilled and made with love, Banana Pudding Cups are the perfect make-ahead treat for any occasion—from intimate gatherings to solo indulgences. It’s a recipe that turns the ordinary into something beautifully shareable—comfort food, refined.
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