NO BAKE SUMMER RECIPE: MAGNOLIA’S BANANA PUDDING (WITH TOPPINGS)

They say necessity is the mother of invention – so we give it (and the magnolia bakery cookbook) all the credit for this recipe. I’ve been dying to make magnolia’s famous banana pudding but bananas are  a polarizing ingredient in our family and who wants to make a dessert that isn’t enjoyed by all? So instead of sticking to the traditional bananas we included a few other topping options and it turned out so, so good.

The recipe and some silly pics below — because cooking with kids is highly entertaining.

(Griffin’s v. appropriate banana shirt  from zara and on sale!)

Griffin LOVES to cook and be in the kitchen but is so funny and picky about food. He ended up being a fan, but instead of layering in a cup he would dip the wafers in the pudding to eat.

OUR VERSION of MAGNOLIA BAKERY’S FAMOUS BANANA PUDDING (adapted from this cookbook)

You’ll Need:

• 1-14 oz. can of sweetened condensed milk
• 1-1/2 cups cold water
• 1-3.4 oz. box instant vanilla pudding mix
• 3 cups heavy whipping cream
• 1-12 oz. box nilla wafers (reserve some to crumble for topping)
• TOPPINGS: sliced bananas, sliced strawberries (or other berries), crushed nilla wafers, sprinkles, chocolate chips, anything fun you have on hand!

Here’s How:

1. In a large mixing bowl, mix sweetened condensed milk and water together. Add pudding mix and beat until well combined. Cover and chill for 4 hours or overnight.
2. In another large mixing bowl, whip cream until peaks form.
3. Remove pudding from refrigerator and add whip cream. Fold into the pudding until well combined.
4. Spoon into individual cups or bowls and layer with nilla wafers, fruit and other toppings!

Two pics up — when everyone decided they needed a beater to lick but there’s only 2, ha! A familiar scene anytime we make dessert.

Whipping the cream was pretty funny because the kids kept dipping their finger into taste and were super confused by the lack of sweetness… whipped cream that tastes like fluffy milk? Weird.

It tastes so good. And rich. And the kids are already talking about what other versions we could make. I’m definitely saying yes to all the entertaining summer activities that we can do together, don’t require an oven and result in something edible.

What’s your favorite thing to whip up in the kitchen with kids?

Oh, and here’s another good banana recipe that’s perfect for summer!

Speaking of bananas, where does your family fall on the banana debate? Or pudding for that matter…?

I hadn’t had pudding since I was in the hospital after having Poppy… even the store-bought stuff tastes good when your starving and just gave birth, LOL.

xo, Rae