Published Date: August 4, 2020 | Last Updated: July 31, 2025
This is one of those recipes that I have had for years and never fails to please the crowd! We LOVE it! Turns out pretty cute, too! Now I know it’s not terribly hard to make pudding from scratch, without a box….. Annnd I know some of these boxes of pudding don’t exactly cure cancer. But I make this once a year and it’s a fun treat, so I just use the box!
This is one of those recipes that I have had for years and never fails to please the crowd! We LOVE it! Turns out pretty cute, too! Banana Pudding Cups are a classic Southern dessert. Creamy banana pudding is mixed with sweetened whipped cream and layered with vanilla wafer cookies and banana slices.
This dessert is so delicious and perfect for gathering. It’s served in individual cups that make for an easy grab-and-go serving situation.
Ingredients for Banana Pudding Cups
Here’s what you’ll need for this banana pudding.
Banana Pudding Mix
For this recipe, I use a boxed pudding. Now I know it’s not terribly hard to make pudding from scratch, without a box….. Annnd I know some of these boxes of pudding don’t exactly cure cancer. But I make this once a year and it’s a fun treat, so I just use the box!
This recipe calls for instant pudding, which is so easy to use. All you have to do is whisk the mix and milk together for five minutes and your pudding will be soft set. You can chill it for around thirty minutes and it will be perfect.
Milk
Use whatever milk you like. Obviously, whole milk is going to yield the most delicious and creamy results, but you can use whatever you have on hand!
Heavy Whipping Cream
Whipped cream makes this pudding so light and fluffy. It gets folded into the pudding to create the most delicious texture.
Powdered Sugar
For sweetening the whipped cream.
Bananas
The key to making this pudding delicious is using barely ripe or slightly under-ripe bananas. You want them to be very firm. Under-ripe bananas will hold up better and won’t turn brown. If your bananas are too ripe, they will turn mushy and brown very quickly.
Look for bananas that are still slightly green at the stems, and they will hold up well!
Vanilla Wafer Cookies
Vanilla wafers are the classic vanilla cookie that most banana pudding recipes call for. I love them! This recipe calls for the standard-sized wafers, but if you want some extra cuteness, you can use the mini ones as well.
How to Make Banana Pudding Cups
Make the Pudding
Prepare the pudding according to the directions on the box. For instant pudding, all you have to do is whisk the milk and the pudding mix together.
Chill the Pudding
Once the pudding is prepared, let it chill for at least 30 minutes to set up. If you don’t wait long enough it will be too soft.
Add the Whipped Cream
After the pudding is chilled and set up, whip the cream with an electric mixer until stiff peaks form. Add the powdered sugar. Then, gently fold the whipped cream and the pudding together. This will make a deliciously light and fluffy pudding.
Assemble the Banana Pudding Cups
Grab your cups and line them up. Add ⅓ cup of pudding to the bottom of each cup.
Cut up two of the bananas into thin slices. Add 5 banana slices to each cup of pudding. Then top with 4 vanilla wafer cookies. Add another ⅓ cup of pudding on top.
Refrigerate
Cover the pudding cups and refrigerate until ready to serve, or up to 24 hours.
Top and Serve
Just before serving, top the cups with a whole vanilla wafer, some wafer crumbs, and more banana slices.
FAQ: Can I make this in a big serving dish?
This recipe is designed to make individual banana pudding cups, perfect for single portions. I love doing this for parties because everyone gets their own perfect little cup of pudding. If you don’t want to make individual servings, of course you can layer the pudding in a large trifle dish or another bowl.
FAQ: What containers can I use?
The 8 oz disposable plastic cups that you can find at the grocery store are the perfect size for each portion of pudding. You can also use mini jam jars if you prefer that. I recommend using any small containers that you like that can hold at least 8 oz.
FAQ: What pudding should I use?
For this recipe I used a 5.1 oz box of Jello Banana Cream Instant Pudding. If you have a pudding recipe that you love, you could totally use that too. You’ll need about 3 cups of pudding.
FAQ: How many servings does this recipe make?
This recipe makes 10 individual servings. The portions are very generous, so you could make them slightly smaller if you would like more. You could layer with ¼ cup of pudding instead of ⅓ cup of pudding.
More Easy Dessert Recipes
Biscoff Spice No-Bake Cheesecake Cups– A delicious single serving dessert recipe
Cake Mix Oreo Cookies– An easy and delicious cookie recipe made from a cake mix
Texas Sheet Cake– A classic treat that is perfect for a crowd
Happy Cooking!
I hope you love this recipe as much as I do. If you want to follow along on my cooking adventures, follow me on Instagram @AMBERSKITCHEN.
Banana Pudding Cups
A delightful little treat for your next get-together. Or just to enjoy on your own!
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Servings: 10
Ingredients
- 1 5.1 oz box Instant banana pudding
- 3 cups milk
- 1 pint heavy whipping cream 2 cups
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 3-4 bananas (barely ripe or slightly underripe)
- 1 box vanilla wafer cookies
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk the banana pudding mix and milk together for 2 minutes. Refrigerate for 30 minutes or until set.
- Using an electric stand or handheld mixer, whip the heavy cream until stiff peaks form. Add 1/4 cup of the powdered sugar and mix together.
- Gently fold the whipped cream into the banana pudding. Set to the side. Slice two of the bananas.
- Grab your cups and line them up. Add 1/3 cup to the bottom of each cup, followed by 5 banana slices, and 4 vanilla wafer cookies. Top with 1/3 more cup of the pudding.
- Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve, or up to 24 hours.
- Right before serving, garnish the top with 1 tbsp wafer crumbs, more banana slices, and stand a wafer into the pudding. Enjoy!
