Here is my version of Magnolia Bakery’s Banana Pudding! I’m putting my spin on this classic dessert, with layers of creamy pudding, fresh bananas, and gingernut cookies. It’s pure heaven and one of my favorite treats, you will be surprised how easy it is to make too.

Magnolia Bakery Banana Pudding Recipe
There’s something about a cup of creamy banana pudding that feels like summer. This twist of Magnolia Bakery Banana Pudding recipe is simply the best!
It is a comforting, creamy treat that combines the sweetness of ripe bananas with the richness of a custard base with fluffy whipped cream, all layered with custard, bananas, crunchy cookies, and walnuts.
Banana pudding is such a nostalgic dessert, and my Magnolia’s version takes it up a notch while still feeling homemade and comforting, and makes it a cozy, familiar treat.
Jump to:
- Magnolia Bakery Banana Pudding Recipe
- ⭐Why You'll Love Magnolia Bakery Banana Pudding
- 🧾Magnolia Bakery Banana Pudding Ingredients
- 👩🏻🍳How to Make Magnolia Bakery Banana Pudding
- 🍽 What to Serve with Magnolia Bakery Banana Pudding
- 💭Tips for Recipe Success
- ❓Commonly Asked Questions
- 🍮More Custard and Pudding Recipes!
- 🍰More Dessert Recipes!
- 📖 Recipe
- 💬 Comments
⭐Why You'll Love Magnolia Bakery Banana Pudding
- Simple, Yet Fancy: Made with basic ingredients like milk, eggs, and sugar, this dessert feels luxurious but is super easy to make. It looks and tastes like something special!
- A Cookie Twist: Instead of vanilla wafers, my Magnolia’s version uses ginger cookies, adding a little spice that pairs perfectly with the sweet bananas and pudding. The cookies soften into a delicious layer.
- Make-Ahead Magic: This banana pudding actually gets better as it sits! The flavors blend, and the cookies become soft, making it a stress-free dessert to prep ahead of time.
- Always a Hit: Everyone loves this banana pudding! It's perfect for any gathering, from family dinners to big celebrations.
🧾Magnolia Bakery Banana Pudding Ingredients
Here’s what you need to make this Magnolia Bakery Banana Pudding:

- Milk: I love using whole milk for a rich, creamy texture. It’s the base of the pudding, making it smooth and luxurious.
- Egg Yolks: Fresh, room-temperature eggs are my go-to. The yolks thicken the pudding, adding a silky, custard-like richness.
- Sugar: Granulated sugar sweetens the pudding just right, balancing the richness of the milk and eggs.
- Cornstarch: Cornstarch thickens the pudding without making it too heavy, giving it that perfect creamy texture.
- Butter: Unsalted butter adds a smooth, velvety finish and a hint of buttery flavor.
- Vanilla: A splash of vanilla really brings out the flavor. High-quality extract or vanilla beans work best.
- Whipping Cream: Whipped cold cream makes the pudding light and airy, balancing the richness.
- Powdered Sugar: I use powdered sugar to sweeten the whipped cream without making it grainy.
- Bananas: Ripe bananas are key! They add natural sweetness and a fresh, tropical flavor.
- Ginger Cookies: For a twist, I use ginger cookies instead of vanilla wafers. Their spicy crunch adds a unique depth.
- Walnuts: I like adding walnuts for a little crunch and a nutty flavor that complements the pudding perfectly.
See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
👩🏻🍳How to Make Magnolia Bakery Banana Pudding
These step-by-step instructions and photos will help you to visualize how to make this recipe. See the recipe card for a printable version of this recipe.
How to Make the Pudding:

1. Heat the milk in a saucepan over medium heat.

2. In a large bowl, whisk the egg yolks and sugar until well combined.

3. In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch with a little milk until smooth.

4. Combine the mixture with the egg yolks and vanilla extract, then mix well.

5. Remove the milk from the heat, pour it over the egg yolks, and mix well.

6. Pour the mixture back into the saucepan and cook on low-medium heat, whisking every minute until it bubbles about 8 minutes. Keep cooking and whisking until the pudding thickens.

7. Remove from heat, add butter, and whisk until smooth.

8. Pour the pudding into a large bowl and let it cool to lukewarm. Cover it with plastic wrap and refrigerate for a few hours until chilled.

9. In a large bowl, whip the cream and powdered sugar for 4 minutes until thickened.

10. Remove the plastic wrap and whisk until smooth.

11. Fold the whipped cream into the pudding until no streaks are visible.
How to Assemble the Dessert:

1. Layer the glasses with pudding, banana slices, biscuits, and walnut pieces. Repeat, then top with walnut pieces.
🍽 What to Serve with Magnolia Bakery Banana Pudding
This Magnolia Bakery Banana Pudding is a delicious way to finish brunch or lunch. It's also great for parties with snacks and appetizers. You don’t need a special occasion, these treats can make any weeknight dinner feel special!

💭Tips for Recipe Success
Temper the Eggs: When mixing hot milk with the egg yolks, pour the milk in slowly while whisking. This keeps the yolks from curdling.
Whisk Constantly: While cooking the pudding, keep whisking to avoid lumps and get a smooth texture. Don’t forget to check the bottom of the pan!
Be Patient: Let the pudding cook until it bubbles and thickens. It might take a little time, but it’s worth it for the right consistency.
Fold Whipped Cream Gently: When adding whipped cream to the pudding, fold it in carefully. You want to keep that light and airy texture!
Store Properly: Cover the pudding tightly with plastic wrap and keep it in the fridge. It’s best enjoyed within 3-4 days for the freshest taste.
❓Commonly Asked Questions
Of course! You can make this Banana Pudding a few days in advance. Cool down the pudding in the mold and refrigerate until the day before serving it. Then remove it from the fridge and serve it.
Yes, you can freeze banana pudding, but it's best to consume it fresh for the best texture and flavor.
🍮More Custard and Pudding Recipes!
Love this Magnolia Bakery Banana Pudding? You’ll also enjoy these delicious custard and pudding recipes:
🍰More Dessert Recipes!
Here are more of my favorite dessert recipes! Try these:
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📖 Recipe

Magnolia Bakery Banana Pudding

Ingredients
- 650 ml Milk
- 4 Egg Yolks
- 125 g Sugar
- 50 g Cornstarch
- 30 g Butter
- 2 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- 350 g Whipping Cream
- 2 tablespoon Powdered Sugar
- 3 Bananas
- 4 Ginger Cookies
- 50 g Walnuts
Instructions
How to Make the Pudding
- Pour the milk into a saucepan over medium heat.
- In a large mixing bowl, add the egg yolks and sugar, and whisk together until everything is thoroughly combined.
- In a small bowl, place cornstarch and a little milk and then mix together well.
- Add the mixture over the egg yolk mixture, and vanilla extract and mix together well.
- Remove the milk from the heat, pour over the egg yolk mixture, and mix well to combine.
- Pour the mixture back into the saucepan and cook over low-medium heat, whisking every minute until the mixture is bubbling throughout around 8 minutes. Continue cooking and whisking continuously until the pudding is thickened.
- Remove from heat, add butter, and whisk together well.
- Transfer the pudding to a large bowl. Let it cool down until it is lukewarm, then cover it with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for several hours or until chilled.
- In a large bowl, beat the whipping cream and powdered sugar for 4 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Remove the plastic wrap and whisk until creamy texture.
- Gently fold the whipped cream into the pudding mixture until no streaks of pudding remain.
How to Assemble the Dessert
- Add the pudding mixture in glasses, banana slices, ginger cookies, and walnut pieces. Repeat the previous steps and garnish with walnut pieces on the top layer.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered an estimate only. Actual nutritional content will vary based upon brands used, measuring methods, cooking method, portion sizes, and more.
John says
I like this recipe thanks